REINVENT YOURSELF

Once upon a time, you lived for your 80-hour-a-week shackled-to- your- desk job. You loved the travel, the stress the thrill of the chase and even the all night brainstorm sessions that kept you away from home for days at a time. You, my friend, were a one woman machine.

Then, miraculously, after nine months and an excruciating labor and delivery, things changed. You became a mom. You never thought you’d be as passionate about a poopy diaper as you were a million dollar project, but, surprise….the workaholic now wants to get home in time to tuck her baby into bed. What’s a girl to do?

If it’s one thing we moms know about, its passion – after all, isn’t that how we became moms in the first place. We’re passionate about our children as well as our careers. That’s why millions of moms are reinventing themselves and redefining their lives as working moms. It’s time to take back your time – make it your own. Find your passion, rediscover what you always wanted to do, redefine what you already do or even turn your crazy idea into cash.
Strap yourself in sister; it’s time to climb on board the Mothers of Reinvention tour.

Become a Mother of Reinvention.

There’s a network of women out there who have already found ways to reinvent themselves and their careers. They’ve created a more family friendly way to make a living – allowing them to watching their children and careers grow and thrive.
It’s time to take back your career and live life on your terms…here’s how:

• THE NUMBERS...
  According to a Wharton School of Business Study
  50% of working mothers returning to work felt discouraged by their employers
  61% changed industries
  45% started their own businesses.

• RULES OF REINVENTION
  Remember, reinvention is about finding your passion as well as pursing a more balanced lifestyle– decide if you’re passionate about what you currently do or if you want an entirely new career.
  If you plan on staying in your current line of work, come up with a more “family friendly” plan and schedule and present to your bosses.
  If your boss doesn’t bite..start pounding the pavement…there are plenty of “family friendly “progressive companies out there. Two great resources are www.flexibleresources.com and Moms-For-Profit. They place people in flextime and part time jobs. Moms For Profit also finds great ways for designing moms to showcase their wares and make a profit too! Coming soon is an Amazon.com type feature on their site where they will showcase their member's merchandise.
• If following your passion means starting your own business, come up with a sound business and financial plan. Citigroup has a great program called Women & CO., www.womenandco.com They’re a wonderful resource for financial advice and their President and CEO, Lisa Caputo is a Mother of Reinvention herself. Lisa was Hillary Clinton’s spokesperson in the White House but left Washington for a more “family friendly” career when she decided to have children.
• Remember, there’s strength in numbers. Reach out to other women who have changed careers or join a women business group. Check out www.ladieswholaunch.com . They have a program called the incubator which helps women who are looking to launch new businesses.

• THE SECRETS OF MY SUCCESS...Great Advice from Some Fellow Role Mommys

1. ORGANIZATION
When juggling career and family, an organized mom is a successful mom!
Tamara, works for the police department and has three kids.
Donna, a paraprofessional with two children
Jorie, a finance analyst with one child

2. GET FLEXIBLE
There's no such thing as just a 9-5 workday anymore. There are plenty of careers that'll offer flexibility so you can be there for your kids.
Christina, an executive assistant with two kids works a 10-6 shift as opposed to 9-5. That enables her to get a jumpstart on her morning with her family.
Deborah, a hairstylist with two boys says she works two 12 hour shifts so that she can spend more time with her family.

3. GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT
Using your time wisely will make you a more efficient worker and a more efficient mom!
Tanya, a designer with one child makes time to meet with everyone and uses her spare time wisely.
Jean, an architect with one child takes life one day at a time
Tori, an importer with three kids says her keys to success are "balance, patience and a lot of love."

4. GREAT SUPPORT SYSTEM
Let's give a big shout out to husbands, babysitters, daycare providers, teachers, friends and family who are always their for us when the going gets tough!
Gwen, a mom with one child, currently in between careers says she succeeds with hard work, her supportive husband and a great 10 year old daughter.
Elana, an attorney with two children counts her supportive husband as her key to success.
Deborah, a massage therapist with three children says her husband is a "true partner."
Elba, a single mom with one child in the retail business says she gets support from a great boyfriend.
Marianne, a healthcare consultant with two kids says she has a "good spouse...with a wicked sense of humor and wit!"
Raquel, a sales account executive with two children says she wouldn't be where she is today without the support of her family.
MoLisa, a self-employed business owner with six children has this to offer. "PRAYER!...MEDITATION...COMMUNICATION...the support of a very supported and strong rock, my husband, Arthur.

5. BECOME YOUR OWN BOSS
If you can't find the balance you're looking for at your current job, then take the reigns and start your own business.
Amy, a writer with one child has found the perfect work/life balance by calling all the shots!
Michele, a Creative Industry Designer with a six year old boy says "Working from home completely changed my life and the lives of my family. The best decision I ever made was to "retire" from my 60 hour a week teaching job, and follow my dream of owning a business and working from home! Suddenly our lives were no longer rushed and hectic and loaded with stressful morning rushing through breakfast and chaotic evenings racing through dinner!"

6. BECOME A TECHNOLOGY WHIZ
All hail to blackberries, cell phones, computers and anything else that makes our lives easier!
Michelle, a dispatcher with four kids relies on cell phones and her computer to stay on top of her busy life.
Beth, a television executive and mom of two says, "Repeat after me, I Blackberry, therefore I am. Sure it's an addiction, but without it, I wouldn't be able to attend a school recital and contribute important information to a colleague in need of my assistance!"

7. LEARN TO JUGGLE
They don't just do it in the circus anymore. No need to take lessons, just figure it out as you go and don't stress out!
Maritza, a mom with two kids says she's become proficient at juggling lots of things at once.
Lisa Caputo, President of Women & Co. for Citigroup and mom of two also counts juggling as one of her strongest assets.

8. PUT YOUR FAMILY FIRST
At the end of the day, it's all about those cherished moments you have with your family.
Toshia, a claims assistant with two kids says no matter what happens in her career, her family is number one in her book.Shavaer, a clerk with three kids says she puts her family first, "so they know how important family is. I'm a mother of three wonderful girls. I teach my girls that moms work too and they help in any way they can. My family is really understanding. They want to help make me happy, just like I want them happy."
Desiree, a home health aid with one child says she gives her daughter the most time she can when she's at home.

9. IF THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY
Even when you think you can't do it all, you somehow find the strength and resourcefulness to make things work.
This no-can-do approach to balancing work and home comes from Cynthia, in the financial services industry with four kids.

10. HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR
No matter how stressful your day or your life may seem, laughter is always the best way to get you through any situation!
Lenore, a retired deputy superintendent and currently a "Role Bubbie" (grandma/Beth's mom) says she tries to have lots of patience and "not take anything too seriously."