24. Going Back to Work: 3 Secrets To Transition with Ease with Anna McKay (Parents Pivot)
Returning to paid work is the second biggest challenge people face (after giving birth). This episode focuses on navigating the transition from at-home parent to working parent.
How do I seamlessly transition back into the workforce after a hiatus? Fret not! Our insightful guest, Anna McKay, drops by to quell your anxieties and gives three secrets to returning to paid work. She brings her rich expertise on career transitions to help you navigate the gaps on your resume and shift smoothly into the paid work world. She emphasizes the idea of work-life blend rather than balance. She reminds us to let go of expectations and create our personal permission slips.
Ah Ha Moments from the Chill Like a Mother Podcast:
Kayla shares the moment her husband said, "I wish the thing you loved didn't take so much time."
How to give yourself a permission slip
Anna shares about a school project her daughter did about what the cover of People magazine would say about her mom.
Returning to paid work after a period of unpaid work (like maternity or parental leave) or a break can be a daunting experience. Here are 3 secrets to transition back with ease:
Know your values: Knowing your values and what you want to achieve from your work is crucial. It helps you to align your work with your career goals and maintain a healthy work-life blend.
Work-life blend: Rather than aiming for a perfect balance between work and life, creating a work-life blend that works for you as an individual is essential. This means that sometimes you will focus more on work, and at other times, you will focus more on your personal life. It is not about achieving a perfect "balance" but finding a blend that works for you.
Remember the benefits of returning to work: Returning to paid work has many benefits, such as financial independence, intellectual stimulation, and a sense of purpose. It is also an excellent opportunity to reevaluate what is essential to you and what you can let go of.
It is essential to be intentional about your journey and choose what is important to you, not what everyone else is doing.
When considering returning to work, involving your family and discussing values and what needs to change is essential. Your family may have gotten used to YOU doing all the household chores, and trying to blend that when you return to the paid workforce can cause burnout quickly when you don't have a plan.
3 creative ways to find that work-life BLEND Anna talks about in the podcast:
Create permission slips as a physical/visual reminder that letting go of certain things is okay.
Remind your inner critic that there is a benefit to returning to paid work.
Make time for rest and creativity because even though you will be blending more than before when you DO rest and express yourself creatively, you come back to your family and work with more clarity and focus.
If you desire to return to paid work, it's good for you and your family and kids. Honouring what you want helps them witness you doing impactful and meaningful work for you and your community. If you have any doubts, listen to the episode where Anna shares a remarkable story about her daughter doing a school project where Anna was on the cover of People magazine.
Returning to paid work can be a fulfilling experience if approached intentionally. By knowing your values, creating a work-life blend, remembering the benefits of returning to work, involving your family, and taking rest periods, you can successfully navigate the return to work with ease.
Mentionables:
Parents Pivot
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About Anna
Anna McKay is a sought-after Return to Work and Leadership Development coach and the founder of Parents Pivot. She’s on a mission to help women successfully navigate career transitions and lead with confidence in careers they love.
An International Coach Federation (ICF) certified coach since 2008, Anna has coached 100s of clients from over 20 countries in Fortune 100 companies, non-profits, universities, and as individuals. Anna brings a multi-cultural and multi-industry perspective to her coaching process. She is certified in the Myers Briggs and EQi (Emotional Intelligence) assessments.
After 11 years coaching, 3 international moves, and 2 kids, Anna founded Parents Pivot in 2019 to help women, parents, and caregivers navigate the pivotal points in their careers. Whether you are returning to paid work after a career pause, returning from parental leave, or navigating life as a working parent or caregiver, she supports her clients through 1:1 & group coaching and workshops to be the leaders they want to be at home and at work, build confidence and leadership skills, and have a career and life blend that is less stressful and more meaningful.
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Thank you so much for carrying me in your back pocket while the kids ran amok! I would appreciate a rating or review if this episode helped you feel a little bit more chill. Ratings and reviews help the podcast get into the ears of more moms who need to hear it!
