A year ago, I was really enjoying my role at work. I was able to share my passion and the company's commitment to inclusion and diversity. I met and worked with so many people at all levels of the organization. At the same time I was learning so much, I felt I was making a difference in varying ways. In short, I loved what I did.
But, as I've been teaching my daughter and son, choices in life are paramount and necessary. And, it was because of my two young children that I made a choice to sacrifice the leadership role I so enjoyed in exchange for what was even more important to me - that is, my time with them.
It was exactly a year ago, the night before my daughter turned 9, did I realize how fleeting time can be. By experiencing my eleven nieces and nephews grow from babies in diapers to young adults with budding careers, I had already realized how fast time goes by. But, it was the thought that one of my two children was turning double digits in a year did it really, really hit me last April. There's something about two digits in a child's age that seem to indicate a dividing line between younger and older.
Since I made the decision to step down from my role, I was fortunate to get a position in my company that returned me to my Marketing roots and, most importantly, to a short commute with no travels. I now appreciate the time with my family even more. Without the guilt of being away from home, I am far less stressed. I am enjoying the times I missed like seeing my daughter at gymnastics class or participating in my son's Little League baseball practice. As much as I enjoyed my previous role, I am enjoying my life now so much more. I know this precious time is irreplaceable.
For other working parents and their young children, I hope that those who have similar family values are able to make bold decisions to balance their career with family time. It is heartening to read of some who have done so. In particular, the recent news that a chairperson of a global advertising firm who did exactly that was an encouraging sign. He said "I'd rather be known as a good father than a good CEO." Poignantly poetic!
