As a proud member of Connect: Professional Women’s Network on LinkedIn, I enjoy reading and engaging in discussions relevant to women’s issues. The fellowship with other professionals is priceless, especially in light of the growing importance of online networking. Recently, Christine Sternfels, Founding Director of A Dollar A Day For A Year, posed an interesting question to members of this group:
If you knew then what you know now,
what advice would you give your younger self?
In the discussion that followed, several incredibly talented and accomplished women offered a wealth of candid career and life strategies. I felt compelled to share them with you – not only because I am a sucker for a good quote, but because I believe there is value in taking a moment to learn from those who have gone before.
The advice that follows is categorized based on focus and will be presented in three parts. This is the second post, which focuses on advice specific to relationships and raising a family. The first post in this series focused on career advice, while the final post will offer success tips related to life in general (finances and health/diet). I hope you’ll find the comments as inspiring as I did!
On Relationships
1. Stay focused on your core values and don’t worry about the small stuff. - Elena Filimonova - IT Manager at UnitedHealth Group
2. Your real friends show up when your life is a mess and help without being asked. Embrace these people and always be there for them. - Catherine Clinch - Columnist at MEDIA GRAZING column in Film News Briefs
3. Don’t change for anyone, if they don’t like you the way you are, then he isn’t the right one for you. Don’t put yourself last. - Kay Rice - Database Application Specialist / Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
4. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Take care of yourself first. - Tam Frager - Voice Talent at Lovecraft eZine
5. Once you are married with children- that is your family, leave your parents and siblings out of it so you and your spouse can mold your own family. Parents and siblings tend to interfere when you give them too much information in your personal life. - Selena Benjamin - Bar Manager at Bahama Breeze
6. If they add to your life, keep ‘em. Otherwise, don’t. - Julieta Smith - SVP Account/Strategic Planner at Cline Davis & Mann
7. Work hard at growing and maintaining more friendships. It’s a two-way street. - Dawn Emmerich - Vice President at The Community’s Bank
8. When you meet your one true love you will know it the first time you are together, so don’t fret over the less-than-wonderful relationships that come before it. Those fellas will be somebody else’s problem – you’re not supposed to settle for them. - Catherine Clinch - Columnist at MEDIA GRAZING column in Film News Briefs
9. Love you first so others can love you back. - Selena Benjamin - Bar Manager at Bahama Breeze
10. Life is long, so treat others well – who knows when they’ll reappear in your life? - Betsy Werley - Executive Director at The Transition Network
On Raising a Family
11. Just because you were raised by wolves doesn’t mean your children should be. Break the cycle and be the mother you wish your own mother had been. - Catherine Clinch - Columnist at MEDIA GRAZING column in Film News Briefs
12. Family does come first. It’s OK to stand up in the middle of a meeting, say sorry, and leave if your kid needs you. - Elena Filimonova - IT Manager at UnitedHealth Group
13. Your house will always be sticky. Clutter will follow you everywhere. Somebody will always need to be driven somewhere. Somebody will always throw up in the wrong place at the wrong time. When you leave your teens home alone and the neighbors tell you that they behaved and did the right thing, you have won. - Catherine Clinch - Columnist at MEDIA GRAZING column in Film News Briefs
14. WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE OLDER! - Kay Rice - Database Application Specialist / Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
15. Give your kids every opportunity to fail and always be there to catch. This generation will never move out so learn to enjoy your kids when they become (sort of) adults. - Catherine Clinch - Columnist at MEDIA GRAZING column in Film News Briefs
16. Be a wife first and collaborate on how to raise the kids. Work WITH each other and let your children see what a good support system is. - Selena Benjamin - Bar Manager at Bahama Breeze
17. Kids prosper if they see their mothers are strong and in charge. Don’t wait too long to think about it though — fertility starts declining at 25. No one wants to tell you this, but it’s true. - Julieta Smith - SVP Account/Strategic Planner at Cline Davis & Mann
18. Most important of all – remember that before you were a mother you were a wife. Put that job at the top of your priority list. - Catherine Clinch - Columnist at MEDIA GRAZING column in Film News Briefs
Now, don’t you feel inspired and empowered by this wisdom? There are many more great success tips to come, so watch this space for a follow-up post! In the meanwhile, if you are interested in connecting with professional women like the ones featured here, do consider joining Connect: Professional Women’s Network. Networking and mentoring relationships (albeit through social media) will prove invaluable to you as you establish yourself as a new professional.
Happy networking, friends!
Dr. Vera V. Chapman is a Licensed Professional Counselor currently practicing as a Career Planning Specialist at a large public university in the Southeastern United States where she also teaches. Before the age of 30, she held a Ph.D. in the field of Higher Education Administration, a Masters degree in Counseling, and a triple major Bachelor of Science in Physiology, Genetics, and Psychology. Read more.
Tagged with: advice • balance • family • growth • life strategies • love • married with children • meaningful relationships • professional women • real friends • success tips
Filed under: Life Strategies
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Your way of telling the whole thing in this piece of writing is really good. Thanks a lot.