What starting the ball rolling for me was reading the article on the Wall Street Journal,Welch: ‘No Such Thing as Work-Life Balance’, where Former General Electric Co. Chief Executive Jack Welch stated “There’s no such thing as work-life balance,” at the annual conference in New Orleans on June 28. Welch is a firm believer that taking time off for family “can offer a nice life, but the chances of going to the top on that path” are smaller.
“The women who have reached the top of Archer Daniels, of DuPont, I know these women. They’ve had pretty straight careers,” states Welch.
Honestly reading this article and other articles online, I became somewhat discouraged. I came across a study that Sylvia Ann Hewlett did a few years ago where she provides these statistic: 49% of mid-career women who make $100,000 a year or more were childless, compared to only 10% of men. HMMM this is BS. How about we recognize the 51% of women who make $100,000 a year and have children! That GREAT! I think optimistically and there are plenty of women in the corporate world who have families and great careers.
I’m not just saying this because I plan on pursing my career and reaching the top while having a family but because thanks to the Advertising Age “Women to Watch 2009”* list it’s clear that you can do both. I would like to thank Rodney B Williams (www.rodneybwilliams.com) for sending me that article. Here is a list of women from the “Women to Watch 2009” list who are mothers, wives and on their A-game!
Garciela Eleta: Senior VP-Brand Solutions, Univision http://bit.ly/6yM1M
Marla Skiko: Senior VP-Director of Digital Innovation, SMG Multicultural http://bit.ly/18pLVu
Sarah Madden Armstrong: Director-Worldwide Media and Communication Operations, Coca-Cola http://bit.ly/a5Hue
Jill Beraud: Global Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo http://bit.ly/v2SXO
Jessica Buttimer: Global Domain Leader, Clorox Green Works http://bit.ly/pOu5Z
Kerry Keneenan: Global Director of Creative Content, Y&R http://bit.ly/14ZEcf
Mary Murcko: Senior VP-Publisher, Prevention http://bit.ly/HTciR
Tina Sharkey: Chairman and Global President, BabyCenter http://bit.ly/6zZjV
Now how can you juggle work and life? My best advice, prioritize. You need to figure out what needs to get done now, later and what you just have to let go of. What is most important to you as you try to balance being your best self (whatever that may be- mom, wife, employee, student, and the list goes on)? It also helps to have your partner in on this.
Ladies it’s not impossible we have many great women ahead of us that are paving the way. Don’t let yourself be convinced otherwise. I’m a true believer “if she can do, why can’t I”
The only limitations we have are our minds.
Never say “I can’t”
Have a strong support system: family, partner, friends, etc
Don’t attempt to take on all the responsibilities: SHARE
I’m not saying it’s going to be easy but it will definitely be rewarding! 
*http://adage.com/womentowatch09/
