This month, as we celebrate Father’s Day, take an opportunity to express gratitude for the many wonderful fathers we see giving their love, support and guidance to our children on a daily basis.

Personally, in my own life, I am surrounded by them. From my own father, to my father-in-law, my husband and the many friends I am blessed to have. I see them at the supermarket, holding their child while attempting to shop; on the street riding their bikes, with their children cautiously proceeding ahead; at the gymnasium, proudly watching their daughter attempt her first cartwheel and at church gently kissing their son on the cheek.

Although mothers have typically been the nurturer in our society, fathers have a huge impact on the raising and development of our children. . A son will learn first hand from his father the balance between toughness and tenderness. Daughters look to their fathers for guidance and example on how to be treated by the men they will have in their lives. Fathers are there to give support and protect their most prized possession…family.

In the book, The Wonder Of Fathers, author C.R. Gibson writes…He goes by many names. He serves many roles. He’s a shoulder to cry on, to lean on, and to climb on. He can be quiet, boisterous, athletic, or scholarly. He is his son’s first role model and the first man his daughter will love. And no matter what else he does in his life, fatherhood will be his most important and fulfilling achievement.

For those of us who have been blessed to grow up with fathers in our lives, we are aware of the many roles they do play in our lifetime. They are a teacher from whom you learn many of your most important lessons. A coach who is always cheering for you no matter how good you are. Strong arms to pick you up when you fall or hug you for no reason at all. Fathers let you do things that mothers are to afraid to let you try. They are the voice of reason when you are attempting to solve one of life’s many problems. They are the voice of support and love when your heart has been just broken and the protector who vows no one will ever break your heart again.

This weekend take the opportunity to tell the fathers in your life just how important they are and how you appreciate them. Say a prayer for those families who do not have their fathers with them for whatever reason. Make Father’s Day a time to remember what is really important in this lifetime and when you nurture each other, everyone benefits.

To my father, father-in-law, and my husband (who is one of the finest examples of a father I know), HAPPY FATHER’S DAY. All of you play such an important role in my life and I wouldn’t be the same person without each of you in it.

Family

Many women feel that the countless responsibilities they have each day are like trying to manage a very tricky juggling act.  If they drop one ball their entire act is a failure.

The key though, is to consider how many of these balls or responsibilities are really necessary to make the act effective.  When you feel the need to let one of the balls or responsibilities go, do it without guilt.  Then determine if it should have been there in the first place.

Remember even the professional juggler can only handle so many balls in their juggling act.  By adding just one more than he can handle, he risks dropping all of them. Reducing your responsibilities will make you feel less like the stressed juggler and more like a balanced mom.  

Action Step for this week…

Write down all the balls you are juggling presently.  Ask yourself if you believe you are juggling them successfully.  If just the thought of all your responsibilities overwhelm you, then it is time to consider which balls you can drop or look at managing in a more effective way.

For example, to help me juggle more effectively, shortly after both my kids went to school, I requested to work nights in my nursing job.  Juggling the balls of 12 hour days, after school child care, homework and lunches were exhausting me.  Working nights allowed me to sleep when the kids were in school, be home when they got off the bus and be available for homework.  Juggling the balls became easier.

This is just one example of how you may be able to more successfully juggle responsibilities. The clients I work with have individual situations and unique goals. Together we look at their “hot spots” or areas of stress and see what changes may be able to be made.

It is important to remember that no matter how overwhelming your situation may appear, there are always other options and choices that can be made.

So, take a look at your juggling skills this week.  Do you feel successful at it or are all your balls ready to come crashing down?

If you are feeling drained and exhausted, it is time to examine what choices you may have or changes that can be made.  It might include, delegating some responsibilities, hiring a housecleaner, taking a daily walk, saying NO to requests of your time, cutting back on hours of work, deciding to go back to work, hiring a coach, going to see your doctor, spending more time with friends…..  The list is endless as to the ways and choices you have to make yourself more effective at juggling and balancing daily life.

Spend some time this week at assessing your own skills and don’t add another ball unless you have a hand to spare!

Article written by Peggy Porter-The Success Coach for Mom Entrepreneurs

All Rights Reserved. Article may be reprinted in its entirety with resource box included.

Peggy Porter is a coach, author and speaker.  Peggy is known as The Success Coach for Mom Entrepreneurs and helps them plan, prioritize and be more productive so they can make more money in their business, spend more quality time with family and bring more energy and less stress to their own lives.   In her fr*ee report The 3 Essential Keys to Mom Entrepreneur Success found at www.peggyporter.com , Peggy shows Mom Entrepreneurs what is needed to have a successful family and successful business, at the same time!

Balance, Wellness coping, mom entrepreneur, Wellness

Quote

“Your personal boundaries protect the inner core of your identity and your right to choice
-Gerard Manley Hopkins

When working with my clients, a challenge they often share is being able to set clear boundaries. Boundaries are like an imaginary fence you build around yourself.  This fence provides protection and resistance against stress, anxiety, burnout, low self-worth and depression.

You need strong boundaries for balance, self-protection and self- respect.  You also need them for building and maintaining healthy relationships with family, friends and co-workers.

Because we are natural caregivers, setting boundaries is often a struggle for us.  When others ask for help, we find it difficult to refuse.  Sometimes when we set boundaries, they may be inconsistent.

Opportunities to practice setting boundaries show up at home, in the office, with friends or family, and within us.
Here are some examples that indicate you may need to set clearer and stronger boundaries:

•    You say yes when you want to say no (disease to please)
•    You struggle with being assertive and communicating your feelings
•    You give in because you do not want to experience any conflict or resistance in your life
•    You find yourself stressed and overwhelmed by life
•    You are exhausted spiritually, emotionally and physically
•    You are always doing for everyone else, leaving no time or energy for you

Having poor boundaries is the number one reason why many women feel stressed, overwhelmed, resentful and joyless.  Without the protection of boundaries other people will continue to run your life.

When you begin to establish and strengthen your boundaries, your life will not change overnight.  Boundaries take time to develop and setting them may make you uncomfortable at first.  Hang in there and don’t give up.  Being consistent and thinking positive will go a long way in developing healthy and strong boundaries.

Stay tuned for my next article and I will share some tips on how you can start strengthening your boundaries, immediately.

Peggy’s Pick
Click this link http://dougkelley.podomatic.com/ and listen to the two-part podcast on Healthy Boundaries.

If you’re struggling with saying No, being a people pleaser, and challenged with setting clear healthy boundaries, then email me at peggy@seekingbalance.ca for a thirty minute complimentary session. Get started today in developing boundaries that strengthen and empower you as a mom, woman and business owner.

Balance, Wellness Balance, boundaries, Wellness

Have you ever had a goal you set and were trying to reach?  Do you set goals for yourself in areas of career, family, finances and maybe health?  Are you working towards organizing the house, paying off debt or saving for that new car?

For most women I know, goal setting is a part of life.  Whether many of you physically focus on setting goals or not, you probably do it without knowing.  Making plans for vacation, getting your retirement portfolio developed, working towards a new healthy weight; all of these are goals in progress.
As a coach, a big part of the support I offer my clients is helping them become clear on their goal, and then developing a plan of action to reach it.

Personally, I have many goals and dreams, some written, some in my heart.  I believe goals are what gives us hope and motivates us into action.

The thing I see with many, however, is that they are so focused on reaching that goal; they miss out on the ride along the way.  As a society there is so much emphasis on the DOING, we forget about the BEING.  We think that when we accomplish a set goal, then we will be happier, more satisfied and oh so successful.  Our belief is that when we get there then we can BE.

What many of us haven’t figured out yet is that life is all about living while in the process of reaching goals.  Life is about living in the gap-from where you are now and where you want to go.  We never only have one goal and then when we reach it think, “Wow, I’ve made it, now I can start living and be satisfied being here for the rest of my life.”

What gets us so stuck at times is that we think we will be happier when we reach this goal or that goal.  We forget that when we reach this or that goal, we come up with a new goal.  So, if our happiness and satisfaction rested on us reaching each goal, we would never be happy because it is our nature to constantly have new desires for our selves!!!

Humans evolve and change.  We seek growth and are constantly expressing hopes, dreams and goals.  Life is all about change and creation.  Our job is to BE in the flow of life while we DO.

So, if you are waiting until you lose that 20 pounds or get that job, or have a more organized house, before you can to BE happy, successful, satisfied, appreciative, I suggest you get into the feeling of Being that NOW!

Find ways to add more joy to your daily life.  Look at the things you love to do and start making them more a part of your life.  Take time to stop and smell the roses.  Appreciate your partner, your co-worker or pet your animals.  Deep breathe and relish in the beauty of nature. Look for the best in situations and take time for you.  Be more present with people and activities as you go about your day.  Seek ways to connect with others and give of yourself when it feels good to do so.

Remember, life is about living in the gap so keep focused on your goals while having a heck of a good time in that gap!!!

Article written by Peggy Porter-The Success Coach for Mom Entrepreneurs

All Rights Reserved. Article may be reprinted in its entirety with resource box included.

Peggy Porter is a coach, author and speaker.  Peggy is known as The Success Coach for Mom Entrepreneurs and helps them plan, prioritize and be more productive so they can make more money in their business, spend more quality time with family and bring more energy and less stress to their own lives.   In her fr*ee report The 3 Essential Keys to Mom Entrepreneur Success found at www.peggyporter.com , Peggy shows Mom Entrepreneurs what is needed to have a successful family and successful business, at the same time!

Balance, Wellness goal setting, goals, life balance, Wellness

In recognition of International Women’s Day, I would like to take this time to acknowledge and celebrate all of you and the many other wonderful women in my life.

This past weekend I was blessed with a visit by some great girlfriends and we spent the weekend laughing, talking, confiding and connecting-all without husbands and children!!!!

There is a subtle but powerful force when you get a group of us girls together! The universe had given me another opportunity to experience this overwhelming energy.

Over the years, one of the many valuable lessons I have learned is the necessity of finding opportunities to connect with other women. As a mother, it has been my life line at times. The friendships I have developed and continue to make are a constant source of support and encouragement for me. My decision to coach other women has been a result of this energy and connection.

If you do not have the opportunity to frequent the company of friends or other women’s groups, I am encouraging you to purposely seek out occasions to do so. Make time for friends no matter how busy you are. There is no stressor in life that won’t seem just a little less challenging after sharing it with a friend. Organize outings with a group of girls. It may mean going for coffee when the kids get on the bus, meeting after work for a drink, or planning that overnight shopping trip.

Seek out organizations to get involved in that are made up of women - book clubs, sports teams, or fitness facilities for women. If you are in business, network with other women business owners. They can be invaluable in their knowledge and support. Attend women events such as trade shows, fashion shows or host one of the many home parties and invite all the girls!!! Create an annual get together so you have something to look forward to yearly. Remember, don’t wait for someone else to do it, take the lead and start calling your girlfriends today. I know they will jump at the chance to take part in the occasion.

Our world and our lives have become so busy we need an outlet to release and recharge. Find a group of women you trust and can have fun with and I guarantee you will feel brighter and more energized by their company. Make it a regular occurrence and watch the quality of your life positively increase!!! So on March 8, commit to calling up or connecting with a friend, colleague or neighbor. Do something fun or just spend some time relaxing and sharing in the company of another powerful woman!!!!

Cheers!!!!

Balance