Princeton Public Library hosts a free virtual workshop with Sara Madera of Plan Creatively on Tuesday, May 14. The Zoom-based session will provide coaching, tools, and strategies to help working mothers thrive professionally. To register, visit princetonlibrary.libnet.info/event/10365130.
The workshop is specifically geared toward mothers returning to the workplace after a prolonged absence, either due to maternity leave or time spent as a stay-at-home mom. The aim is to ease the transition back to the workplace by examining “strategic, emotional and logistics needs,” and sharing tools and advice to ensure those needs are met to achieve success in both work and home life.
Madera, a New Jersey-based mother of two, has experience working for non-profits, arts administration, marketing, and more. She founded Plan Creatively after the COVID pandemic drew added attention to the near impossible balancing act faced by mothers trying to care for and homeschool children while also working a full-time job. On her career coaching company’s website, www.plancreatively.com, she explains, “I help working moms find their passion for their careers while gracefully managing family and work so they can take care of themselves too.”
In an article titled “Helping overextended moms stay in the workforce—and thrive” published on the website for the magazine Fast Company in 2022, Madera explained the three-step process she uses to help guide working mothers toward career success.
“Goal Setting. This doesn’t look quite the same as it did before kids, as it encompasses your entire life, not just work. Imagine someone is giving a speech at your 80th birthday or your retirement party: what do you want them to say? From here, you can work backward to set your goals for parenting, finances, work, relationship, health, and self-development, mindfully choosing the elements that give your life meaning and purpose.
“Balance. After looking at your goals, decide what you want your days and weeks to look like. Do you want to spend 70% of your time to reach your work goals and 10% with your family, 10% on chores, 10% on health, to equal 100%? Or what does balance feel like for you? Your personal equation will determine the speed in which you can realistically accomplish your goals.
“Communicating Your Needs. Once you are clear on your goals and how you want your life to look, it’s important to share this view with those in your life. Your partner should know that you want to spend 10% of your time on your health, which may mean your spouse makes dinner, or you order a meal service. Your boss should know that you are looking to build more entrepreneurial skills, and bonus points if you already have an idea for her on how this can happen! Even sharing this mindset with friends can be good, so they can help keep you accountable and support you in saying ‘no’ when needed.”
