Her advice: “Don’t forget to have a family”

When I tell people I’ve just had my fifth child, I feel like I’ve been found out.

The mask is off, the secrets out. They know now I’m not your average jane… I’ve been exposed somehow.

I can understand the stunned reactions... Hard to know what to say to that. These days, in the corporate world, it’s unusual to hear.

I knew a lawyer who had 5 children. She was the first and longest-standing female partner at her big law firm. She worked from home, and continued to do so after her kids were grown.

From where I stood, she did her job well and thrived - I imagine with a very full life going on just steps outside her home office door.

She shared some advice to her entire firm once, it went something like: “Don’t forget to have a family”...

That, friends, is some courageous, badass, advice to give out to a group of notoriously career-addicted lawyers. In a world that says our worth is what we earn and what we achieve in our careers… Don’t forget to have a family. Wow. Because really, what is it all for?

Obviously I’m not saying everyone needs to have babies. I’m saying, don’t forget these are the good old days. Invest in building a life you love outside of work NOW. Don’t let work be the only thing you do with your life. Start building a life you could happily retire to now.

Having babies and big families is a part of my family culture and a part of my heritage.

It feels totally natural to me and I’m determined to be a badass grandma and matriarch of my family first, before I seek after a retirement cake at the end of a grueling career grind.

Thriving looks different for each of us, and this is my look - five babies, a loyal partner, a dog, a garden. Oh yea, and a part time gig that I enjoy, and that just does well enough to support a full life away from my desk.

Tell me friend, what secret life do you lead when you’re away from your desk?

If you’re in a job that’s keeping you from living life outside of work, have you considered coaching or consulting? I’d like to help you turn your expertise into income, so you can have the flexibility you need to thrive.