One of the toughest jobs in the world is being a Mom. This has been proven over and over again because being a Mom is the one job that no one can quit. The moment you become a Mom, you are a one for life.
What makes this tougher is when you are a working Mom because then you need to balance being a Mom and managing a business. Add to that if you are doing live streaming and have to look pleasant on camera while ensuring your toddler does not do anything too damaging and you get the picture.
It’s hard.
So how does a Mom achieve work life balance? Can Moms actually achieve work life balance? Irene Chan, Marketing Manager at BeLive.tv, says that you definitely can. Read all about her tips and tricks on how you can have a more balanced life between your work, being a Mom, and being a woman.
On any given day, how many hats do you wear and what are they?
The hats I wear every day have multiplied since I became a mom. The first hat that I wear in the morning is my “mom hat.” I have to make sure my seven-month-old daughter is changed, fed, and overall happy. As the day progresses, I wear more hats: entrepreneur, marketer, writer, analyst, coach, manager. As a marketing manager at BeLive, I manage multiple projects and multiple teams. I mainly work with our amazing marketing team from different parts of the world from the Philippines to Israel to U.S. to Bangladesh. I also work with a couple of projects with the other BeLive managers from Product to Development to Support.
Among the many roles you hold, which one has proven to be the most challenging?
I think the most challenging role is being a manager. When I joined BeLive, I joined as a content creator and not as a manager. When I started, there were only two of us in the marketing team. I was in charge of planning the content for all channels, including the BeLivers group. Our social media manager, Nichelle Dizon, was in charge of scheduling the posts in all social media channels. Eventually, as the company grew bigger, our tasks and projects became bigger.
I had a talk with our CEO, Daniel Mayer, and he said that it was time for me to shift my mindset from content creator to manager. It was a very big decision for me! Ever since I was kid, I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I imagined myself hanging out in Starbucks with my Macbook and typing my heart out. However, in order for me to grow and to help the company grow, I had to accept the role of being a manager with open arms. It’s a very challenging role for a company that is growing so quickly, but it is also very fulfilling. I still learn every day and figure out the best way I can help the team and help the company grow even bigger.
What are the things you like to do when you are not working?
My family is the most important thing to me. I try to spend time with them as much as I can. Every weekend, we make sure to have a family adventure even if it’s just as simple as going to the mall for dinner or as grand as going out of town. The important thing is that we spend it outside. My husband and I both work from home, so we need to make sure that we are out during the weekends. We are also movie buffs so we always have movie marathons or TV series binge watching over the weekend. After my shift during working days, I make sure to have time for Netflix!
Practicing Yoga has also made a very significant impact in my life. After feeding my daughter in the morning, I make sure to practice Yoga even if it’s just for 10 minutes. My day is not complete without Yoga.
What has been the biggest challenge for you in achieving work life balance?
The biggest challenge is to separate your work life from your personal life. This is especially difficult when you are working from home! You don’t clock out from the office. Your home is the office. I’ve found the best way to achieve work-life balance is to set boundaries. I had to train my mind to “turn off” after work hours. It was extremely hard because I’m a workaholic. I feel guilty when I’m not working.
Two years ago, my mind was always on “work mode.” It wasn’t sustainable, and I often found myself exhuasted. There were even days when I was depressed. I learned that the trick is to be fully present in each moment.
Can you give us 3 tips to maintaining work life balance?
Set boundaries.
Working from home doesn’t mean you have to be online 24/7. Have a consistent work schedule and let your team know the specific times you’re available.
Learn how to live in the moment.
Focus on each task or project. When you’re doing something, don’t worry about the past mistakes or the future consequences. Know that you are doing your best and sometimes the outcome is out of your control.
Meditating can really help you be more present. Try the Headspace app. You’ll be surprised as to how much a three-minute meditation can improve your day!
Make sure to take a break!
You can’t perform your best if you don’t take a break. When you take a break, don’t spend it in front of the computer. Try to take a walk outside!
If you’re a business owner like many of our BeLivers, I highly recommend striving for a great work-life balance in the beginning. The world is ripe with opportunities, and there are plenty of ways to design the life the way you want it.
Want to connect with other small business owners (who are also moms)? Join our 7000+ community using BeLive.
Kathy Kenny Ngo is BeLive’s Content Manager. She handles all content on the blog as well as everything media and brand related. You may email her at kathy@belive.tv
