Careers aren't perfect, and neither is motherhood. If you're feeling stuck in your career and are in the throes of maternity leave, here are some helpful prompts to kickstart your thoughts easily.
Take some time now, not later.
Quite often, new clients reach out to me at their return-to-work stage. They've just started back, perhaps a few weeks in, and realize it's just not working. While we can still solve career challenges, we're under more time pressure before the work bubble bursts. So start planning your career strategy three months earlier than you think you need to. Great times to plan are six to seven months postpartum.
You can take a break for yourself on maternity leave
Maternity leave is all in, but sometimes mothers don't have the confidence to take a few hours away from the little one each week to think things through. Even just going for a walk to think through your career can help you find more clarity. If the option is available to you, don't feel guilty for taking time to figure out what you want. If that means maximizing your maternity leave for longer to work stuff out and ease in gently - go for it! Remember, a happy mum means a happy baby!
Take the pressure off
If you are currently employed or have a job to return to, keep engaging with your employer (regardless of your next steps). Keep relationships warm at work so you can ease back into your current role if you need to. If things were tricky when you left, maternity leave followed by a return to work is a fresh start. Keeping some communication with work helps you to know what you are walking into. Changes to your career can take time, and sometimes the wisest thing is to hang tight for a little bit while you figure out your next moves. Remember the whole going-to-work and daycare routine can take time to settle so don't pile too much on in those early weeks.
We can support you with career coaching to clarify your personal brand, understand your value, restore your confidence & come back to the career game stronger than ever. While motherhood might not be easy, we know it can also be great for your ambitions! Find out about our coaching below. Or discover some other posts to help you on your working motherhood journey:
Comments