Moms Mean Business – Jessica Lawrence-Johnson
How do you ensure that you mean business and grow your career while also embracing the challenges and joys that come with raising a well-adjusted little one?
My grandmother would often say, “First things first”, this adage echoes one of my favuorite Bible verses, Matthew 6:33, which says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” The challenge of balancing career goals and ensuring you are giving of your best to raise a well-adjusted child comes down to having a clearly defined “end in mind” for your life. I therefore ask myself; “What does success look like in my life five years from now? What are my goals spiritually, for my family life, for my work life?”
Having a clearly defined vision of what I want, both for my career and my family, helps to guide my decision-making, my priorities, and my actions. I therefore do the most meaningful activities towards fulfilling my goals in each area of my life while setting the necessary boundaries to achieve balance. Having a reliable and flexible support system in my husband and family, our church, caregivers, and the JMMB nursery have also been an invaluable help for me to ensure I mean business at work. This support system has allowed me the time I need to focus on work demands as well as professional learning and development goals without worrying if the care and nurture for my daughter, Vanna-Grace, would be much different from what I would want. It is said of now-deceased former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright that “she struggled with the duality of her life, the eternal struggle of the working mom”. The struggle of a working mother is certainly real, but having focus on the right priorities as well as a strong village supporting me are my keys to maintaining balance and allow me to embrace all the joys of motherhood daily.
Also read:
Moms Mean Business Shelly-Ann O’Connor
Moms Mean Business – Jacqueline Donaldson
Moms Mean Business – Shelee Wilkie Channer
