It is a pretty old cliche that we learn from our kids as much as we teach them. As someone who spent 12 years in education I know this is true when you think about older children, but I have learnt so much in the last 2 1/2 years of motherhood and what I have learnt has helped me in my business.
1) You need to sleep
When my 2 1/2 year old doesn't get a good night's sleep she turns into a bit of a monster and if I am honest I can too.
She has taught me that a consistent routine at night and a good night's sleep really does set you up for the day (this only took me 39 years to realise!). I now focus on getting my evenings right so that I can get more done during the day, of course it doesn't always go to plan but it is a good starting point.
2) To keep going
My youngest, Sophia, has been learning to crawl for the last two months. Yesterday she mastered it - okay it isn't the classic crawl that you normally see but she has her own signature style and it works - she gets from A to B.
To learn to crawl when you are a baby must seem really daunting but that resilience and grit is something that is so important in business. I have had lots of knockbacks and disappointments, things that just haven't worked out. It would be easy to give up but I keep going (and am now more successful than I ever dreamed!)
3) To have fun
My girls love singing and dancing, so we do it every day. I am tone deaf and have two left feet but it doesn't matter, we are all laughing and enjoying ourselves.
Life is much better with a smile upon your face! I make sure I do something that I really enjoy every day and even when I am on my own at home working I remember to have fun with what I am dong.
4) That things don't always happen how you plan them
Yesterday we planned to go to our local park and see the animals (they have a small farm) but nap time was longer and by the time we were ready the farm would be shut. We went to a different park and shared a green smoothie instead.
The point here is being flexible, if something doesn't go exactly how you want learn from it and move on. You will get there.
5) That we are all individuals
My two daughters are only 22 months apart but they couldn't be more different in personality, one of them is really laid-back and the other one more highly strung. Different things work for them.
This is exactly the same in business (and certainly with coaching). People are individuals so what has worked with one might not work with another. Think about who you are working with and how they like to operate.
6) That learning is exciting
My oldest is currently obsessed with counting and is starting to look at letters, she loves it and is always wanting to learn more.
Having the kids has reignited my passion for learning. I am always looking at how I can develop and invest heavily in my self development. I realise how exciting learning is and how cool it is to find out new things.
7) That you should be aware of your emotions
Terrible twos is a thing in our house at the moment and that's fine (sorry to my neighbour!).
When you are in tune with your emotions in business you understand what works for you and what doesn't - if you are feeling angry or sad or happy I always ask myself why. Understanding yourself is key if you want to be a success.
Having kids and having a business is a juggling act but one that is exciting and brilliant at the same time. People say that growing a business is like growing a baby and I can see that analogy every day and am moving into the toddler stage with my business now...