The Beauty of Priorities

This post was originally published on December 10, 2020, on Instagram as part of Her Growth Collective.

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Today we are talking about the beauty of simplicity. One of the things that simplifies my life considerably is getting crystal clear on my priorities.

I mean this on almost every level. Today though we will focus on the big picture. While my family is a top priority for me, it is not my number 1 priority. 😱

Did I just lose you? (I mean, I understand if I did. What I just said is practically blasphemy in our culture.)

As stubborn and perhaps unrealistic as it may feel at times, my top priority is living a full and aligned life.

Men are not asked to chose between family and career and I refuse to adopt a world view that has been put upon me by outdated and sexists norms.

A full and aligned life makes space for both my family and my career ambitions. They are equally important to me because I know that I am a better mother when I am happy and fulfilled. I’m also a better leader when I make time for myself and my family. They go together and complement one another. They both force me to acknowledge the humanity in the other.

It’s a simple concept, but it’s rarely easy. It’s hard, not because the idea is complicated, but because we we live in a world that tries to tell us what our priorities should be. All of that should’ing creates mental exhaustion while the lack of systems and structures designed to support working families and women’s career ambitions feeds the exhaustion further.

Going back to my top priority, to live a full and aligned life, helps me maintain perspective and simplifies decision-making. It gives me permission to let go of the shoulds and focus on what matters to me, to my family, and to my career.

And therein lies the beauty.

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This post is written in partnership with #HerGrowthCollective, encouraging women to walk the path of self-development together.