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Published on
September 13, 2012
September 13, 2012
Chicago Loop
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Yes, Mom! You Can Have It All
(whatever that means for you)
By: Leanne Berry, CEO of Mom Corps Chicago
It isn’t easy being a working mom. It seems like the “work” is never done – whether it be at home or on the job.
As a CPA and mother of three, I realized it wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought to “have it all” in both my personal and professional life with a traditional 9-to-5- work schedule. I found myself struggling with the expectation to give 100 percent at work and 100 percent at home. I knew there had to be a better way to find a synthesis between my work life and personal life. What I found was that it wasn’t about “having it all” as it was about “having options.”
That is why I recently launched Mom Corps here in Chicago. Mom Corps is a national staffing company that connects employers with professionals looking for meaning full work opportunities that have some component of flexibility. I wanted to offer “an option” and be a resource to those who are looking to find jobs that are non-traditional as it relates to time, place/or duration. In addition to working with candidates, we partner with companies to help them understand why and how to use a flexible work force to build productive and cost-efficient teams. What works for me, is the ability to balance my work life with my family life, by having flexibility within my day. This allows me to be effective and efficient when I am working, and allows me to be present and focused, when I am with my family. There are many times when I have to “unplug” at 3:30 to start my job as “chauffeur”, running the kids around to activities, only to re-engage in work after 8 so that I can enjoy that time with my kids. This is what works for me, and “having it all” is finding what works for you.
I know that the idea of work/life balance can seem cliché, i.e. my work and life will never be balanced. At Mom Corps we like to think of it more as work/life alignment…which means to work smarter by working towards stabilizing the various aspects of your life. Having a flexible job can allow for you to maximize the time for family obligations, work requirements and personal productivity. Keep these points in mind when looking to find this alignment.
I have seen the benefits of a work/life alignment for both parents and the companies that employ them. The search for this alignment may be elusive -- but I encourage you to continue your search for a job that lets you “have it all” (whatever that means to you).
If I can be of any assistance in your job search journey, never hesitate to reach out to me directly at [email protected] to continue this conversation.
Leanne Berry has a degree in Accounting from Loyola University and began her career working for Arthur Andersen LLP in Chicago. After working in public accounting, she obtained her CPA certification and moved into the private sector working as a financial controller for firms specializing in construction, architecture and real estate development. After starting her family, she started her own independent consulting firm specializing in providing value added accounting and tax services to a variety of companies and CPA firms. In addition, she worked as an adjunct faculty member teaching managerial accounting in the evening at Oakton Community College. In 2011, Berry became the President and Owner of Mom Corps Chicago, a national professional staffing firm specializing in flexible workplace solutions that help companies staff in a more productive, efficient and cost effective way. She resides in Park Ridge with her husband and three children.
As a CPA and mother of three, I realized it wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought to “have it all” in both my personal and professional life with a traditional 9-to-5- work schedule. I found myself struggling with the expectation to give 100 percent at work and 100 percent at home. I knew there had to be a better way to find a synthesis between my work life and personal life. What I found was that it wasn’t about “having it all” as it was about “having options.”
That is why I recently launched Mom Corps here in Chicago. Mom Corps is a national staffing company that connects employers with professionals looking for meaning full work opportunities that have some component of flexibility. I wanted to offer “an option” and be a resource to those who are looking to find jobs that are non-traditional as it relates to time, place/or duration. In addition to working with candidates, we partner with companies to help them understand why and how to use a flexible work force to build productive and cost-efficient teams. What works for me, is the ability to balance my work life with my family life, by having flexibility within my day. This allows me to be effective and efficient when I am working, and allows me to be present and focused, when I am with my family. There are many times when I have to “unplug” at 3:30 to start my job as “chauffeur”, running the kids around to activities, only to re-engage in work after 8 so that I can enjoy that time with my kids. This is what works for me, and “having it all” is finding what works for you.
I know that the idea of work/life balance can seem cliché, i.e. my work and life will never be balanced. At Mom Corps we like to think of it more as work/life alignment…which means to work smarter by working towards stabilizing the various aspects of your life. Having a flexible job can allow for you to maximize the time for family obligations, work requirements and personal productivity. Keep these points in mind when looking to find this alignment.
- Be in the “now” – Focus on your family when you are home and be efficient and focused when you are at work.
- Set boundaries – try to have schedule in which you have a set time to unplug completely from work. Make plans with your family/friends during the week to force you to leave work mentally at a decent time. Getting outside at a healthy time will boost your mood and make you happier about resuming your work in the morning.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for a flexible schedule at work. You may think that asking for a flexible schedule will reflect negatively or make you appear less committed to the job. There are many mutual benefits of flexible work options for the employee and the employer. Many times it’s all about productivity and when employees have this flexibility studies show they are more efficient, productive and even more importantly, loyal at work.
- Take time for yourself – Happy Mom, happy family I like to say. As women, we tend to put our needs at the bottom of the list. Challenge yourself to put yourself at the top every now and again.
- Learn to delegate – Sometimes it’s hard to not control it all because you feel like only you can do it. Find ways in which you can take tasks that take away from your family and/work and assign to someone else. You will find yourself with some extra time to do things for yourself and being less resentful in the processes.
I have seen the benefits of a work/life alignment for both parents and the companies that employ them. The search for this alignment may be elusive -- but I encourage you to continue your search for a job that lets you “have it all” (whatever that means to you).
If I can be of any assistance in your job search journey, never hesitate to reach out to me directly at [email protected] to continue this conversation.
About Leanne Berry, Owner and President of Mom Corps Chicago
Leanne Berry has a degree in Accounting from Loyola University and began her career working for Arthur Andersen LLP in Chicago. After working in public accounting, she obtained her CPA certification and moved into the private sector working as a financial controller for firms specializing in construction, architecture and real estate development. After starting her family, she started her own independent consulting firm specializing in providing value added accounting and tax services to a variety of companies and CPA firms. In addition, she worked as an adjunct faculty member teaching managerial accounting in the evening at Oakton Community College. In 2011, Berry became the President and Owner of Mom Corps Chicago, a national professional staffing firm specializing in flexible workplace solutions that help companies staff in a more productive, efficient and cost effective way. She resides in Park Ridge with her husband and three children.
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