High Achiever
My business coach recently asked a question on a social media group that made me stop to think. She wanted to know if there were any mothers who identify as high achievers that struggle to find the same level of fulfillment with their homes, life and family. That question stopped me in my tracks. If I am being completely honest with myself, I do struggle with this and I know I am not alone. I like to set goals and intentions and go to work on them - may it be a degree, a designation, a new business venture, a sales goal or a growing social media following.
Motherhood and family life doesn’t feel like there is a goal to set my sights on. Some days I am lucky to just keep the clothes washed, everyone fed, the bills paid and not forget school functions or dance class. But when I really stopped to ponder this question, I realized that there is much more to raising a family of my own.
While there might not be a degree, award or high allocate at the end of this journey; there is so much more. There is the way her face lights up when she sees me driving up to the school at pick up time. The way that his heartbeat makes mine skip a beat with every check-up appointment. It is in the way that she asks to pray for all the sick people in the world that are suffering. The way my husband and I work together as a team to handle dirty diapers, bottles, bath time, fixing meals and juggling our other responsibilities. The excitement on our daughter’s face when we told her that she was going to be a big sister. When I’m having an awful day and my little one hugs me tightly, saying “It will be okay Mommy.” It is in the way that she tries to duplicate so much of what I do - from the way I answer the phone for work to cooking and cleaning around the house. It is the little notes she leaves on our bed for us to read at night. It is in the way we got to cheer her on at her first dance recital after the she cried at almost every drop off for the first month.
Even when I am struggling to keep it all together and feel like I am failing; they see a completely different picture. Being there is what matters. That is what they see. They will remember how we listened to their dreams, how wildly we love them, the patience that we showed when cried for hours on end because their favorite stuffed animal or blanket had to be washed, how we held them tight when they fell and how we forgave them when they made mistakes.
