When Lean In came out, all I could think was heck no! I need Lean out. Life was way too many plane trips, early starts, and time differences that had me mapping out living life around when I could sleep and eat – with no socialising allowed… Lean In? I was locked in. Since then, I have come to realise that what we women, mothers especially, need is to feel safe to Lean In-Between.
What I mean is this: there are times in our lives, or parts of the day, when we need to get out of work, and not have the wrath of guilt/ will I get fired/ have I screwed up my chances of a promotion/ will my clients leave in droves.
It’s OK to lean in-between. We must say this to ourselves. We must find places of employment that get this, and actually do something about it, or are fine with us doing something about it. We must figure out lives and work that embraces this. And create work/ jobs/ places of work that include it.
All together now: It’s OK to lean in-between.
What does Lean In-Between look like for you? Share one thing that would make a huge difference to your life. Remember, sharing is caring ? and if you don’t take that first step of figuring out what you want, how are you ever going to get it? Go on, go wild – it’s the first step towards changing things so we can all be ok.
I’ll go first: my biggest game-changer is being in control of when I do things. No clocking in or out – I set my own schedule for the day, and factor in all sorts of things when they are best for me. Including school pick up, teaching myself how to play the guitar, and work deliverables. Your turn now. What’s your lean in-between?
Love
Nima
