British working mums, that is. This just in from the UK’s Guardian news this morning:

Full story at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/dec/11/free-childcare-millions-tax-mums - the very reason why In Our Shoes has turned its focus on:

Supporting working mums in the UK.

If free childcare comes to pass in Great Britain, this will be a game changer for women’s career advancement in the country. Interestingly, while the maternity benefits rock compared to what American moms get, doesn’t being out for a year leave a huge gap and risk to having potentially stale skillsets? I was out for a mere 3 months after pregnancy. It was difficult getting back into the swing and applying my technical acumen after being on baby brain for such a stretch. That, coupled with the isolation I felt being at home compared to the camraderie at work was a huge hurdle.

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More power to British women if free nursery takes effect. Speaking to the mums I met, the reason they opt out of going back to work is simple: child care costs and salary are a wash, so why bother?

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Just wrapped up two 6am interviews with extraordinary women in London and Denmark this week before hitting the road to the day job in New York’s concrete jungle.

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Did someone say sleep? I’ve forgotten what that is. I heart South American coffee!

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 More to come, Subscribe here.

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I never said I was normal. The things women take on these days are only viewed as sane because we pull it off so well. We have to, it’s our survival gene.  I’m often asked how it feels to be all over my ‘A’ game.  That sounds enviable but I don’t take myself too seriously. Funny, noone ever asks how it feels to gamble on yourself, because if anything that’s what I’m really good at. I’m a risk taker and at heart, a pure blooded restless soul.

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.No sooner back from London, I attended 3 after work NYC events this week to either support another woman, network it for the IT day job and scout for more shoe swapping stories of  empowering women to pick up.

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.The life I lead is not glamorous, don’t let these pics fool you. You have to network, you have to get out there, you have to live and breathe what you’re after and you have to kick it up a notch by taking on a little risk.

If I want it, I ask for it and in some way or another the universe returns the favor.

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This week I wanted to step it up in the network circuit of IT professionals.  By Wednesday I was selected to sit on Qliktech’s Customer Advisory Council for Financial Services. By Thursday, I was asked to speak at their “Investor Day” conference to showcase my experience using their software.  There I networked with some investors hoping to give some kudos for my favorite Swedish firm. Oh and did I mention? I’m petrified of public speaking.

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A few martini’s into the evening, I ran into my consulting partner Project Brokers the same folks who hosted me at their flat in Kings Cross, London.  I learned Clay LeConey my account manager (on my right below), has an accomplished famous working mother who would willingly share her success story with In Our Shoes.

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Did I mention I’m also really good at ‘picking up’ women? Not bad for a weeknight.

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After cocktails I zipped across town from Upper East to Upper West side to cheer on good friend Chini for the coming out party of her successful startup:  Mom to Moms Advisors hosted at Trump’s Place. She had a huge turnout and much media coverage there to send her on to bigger things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“Nothing in this life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” – Marie Curie

 

 

 

 

This week I treated myself to two back to back days of *me* time, once more in an In Our Shoes vein: surrounded by inspiring women. I shout this from the rooftop only because I started my week with sagged shoulders given the project plan I had just scribed in blood back at the office. “Plan the work, work the plan” had been my mantra for several weeks.

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My shoulders are still tired, but tonight I strut a little taller and guilt free; my time away from kiddies was more than well spent.

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I attended the first board of directors meeting  of a NAFE chapter begun in Manhattan.  I was humbled to have been invited to start the endeavor – shocking that the Big Apple hadn’t a group  in place already.  Lucky us, it’s empowering to make the first footprint! 

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Our members are women entrepreneurs as well as those well ascended within Corporate America. I introduced myself as a hybrid – my feet firmly planted in both tracks at the moment. We are women who want to mentor other women. Women who want to share the success stories and bring those work/life balancing secrets to the table. 

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A good half hour was spent discussing our chapter’s name. What would we call ourselves? The word “Warrior” was thrown out there as a must-have.  “A rose by any other name?” admittedly crossed my mind.

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Wow. I reflected on this after. These are the things passionate women care about:  who we are, what we stand for and the image we want to portray. This board wasn’t going to be a group of women starting a coffee clutch for networking.

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This circle was a microcosm of what women want out of life:  to be successful and to help others succeed.

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**So share, what kind of event would you want to sign up for? We’re reaching out so we can make that happen. Here’s what we have on the line-up so far. Take a peek and tell us your wish list!

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This week the seas parted for this working mama when I chose a special pick-me-up after work, escaping from a solemn sweep of global layoffs across my firm. I accepted an opportunity to meet inspiring success minded women at an event hosted by NAFE (National Association for Female Executives).

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On a guest invite extended to me by NAFE director and NYC Health & Wellness coach:  Irene Ross, I attended the “Resilience and Overcoming Professional Obstacles” workshop. My 90 minute stay was all it took (once more on the clock to relieve the babysitter), I’ve already signed up for membership.

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If you’re longing to belong somewhere that will nudge you along on your personal pursuit of professional success, this is the female village for you.

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After the keynote given by award winning TV producer, author, and journalist Alison Gilbert, we broke out into separate groups and shared the challenges each of us were facing. Here are some take aways from my little NAFE circle.

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• As women we tend to take things too personally which prohibits us from advancing our professional lives. Not getting too close, separating ourselves from the emotional and focusing on our work can keep us shining. As one woman entrepreneur (NYC based Mom to Moms Advisor) at the table said : “When I’m getting too caught up in the personal, I remind myself that another cool-headed woman is making a buck”.
• Lower the bar. We want that routine. We want consistency. We want to do the things that make us more productive: meditation, writing, marketing etc. Start slow, take those baby steps and the universe will  eventually open up the time we crave.
• Create a corner space of your own no matter how small to invoke creativity, thinking time; whatever stirs your inner muse.
• Check in with yourself regularly. Ask yourself: “How did I do do this week? What could I have done better?”
• Release your inner child. Find the passions that moved you as a child and bring them forward to your present.

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My personal favorite piece of advice came from wise woman Noris Cabrera who had raised her two, now adult children. She said: “Honey, be good to your kids. Love your kids. Do what you need to for your kids, but don’t live for your kids. Do just enough to teach them how to fly; always find the time for you“.

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This stirred one of my nagging voices that for the first time is broadcasting itself here on my blogaphone.

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Don’t give every second of your life away to your kids, because yours is a life worth living too. That guilty question you ask yourself: “Am I doing enough for my kids?” is probably a yes. 

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I left that convention with a NAFE bag, a mug and an unexpected pocket full of ideas to recharge my work. Not bad for my ninety minute window.

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“Take a risk, take a chance, make a change and breakaway…”
-Kelly Clarkson

.In this moment, sign yourself up for something new; sign yourself up for possibility.