Featured Candidate Success Story: Lily Pabian

Life is full of ups and downs; mine was a roller coaster with 2 consecutive years of "the first drop." In November 2006, my mother-in-law then 59; suffered a major stroke. She stayed in the ICU for several weeks with a very poor diagnosis. The hospital was an hour from my husband's midtown office so many long lunched were needed to fill out paper work and actually sit by her side. The journey brought her to a nursing home followed by a stay within a senior assisted living facility the following year - the year my husband was laid off and when Mom Corps entered my life.

My husband was sending his resume and fixing his mother's house to sell during the last couple of months of 2007. When 2008 rolled around and he was still jobless, I knew that I had to consider looking as well. I began sending my resume out through job sites and finally received a call back for an interview. A before my first interview in over 5 years, I was invited to attend Mom Corps Own Your Life seminar. I remember walking into the seminar surrounded by business dressed corporate woman; I wore a $10 dress purchased from Target the night before. I sat down not knowing what to expect and then the guest speaker, Leslie Bennetts got me thinking about my career - - something I hadn't done in years. She talked about the importance of staying in the work force (reasons ranging from divorces, death of a spouse and job loss). At the end of her speech she asked for questions. Without hesitation, I raised my hand, received the mic and said "my husband lost his job and I have an interview next week, what do I say if they ask what have you done for the past 5 years?"

Sure enough the question came up in my interview and sure enough I used the answer I received that day. In the end, I turned down the job because it required me to travel and work between Beijing and EST time zones. I signed up with Mom Corps as a candidate and have worked several consulting jobs. Through Mom Corps I am able to own my life as a stay at home mother, be a financial contributor for my family and am able to focus and build my own career patch, what more can I ask for.

Lily Pabian is a mother of 3; an 8 year old son and 4 ½ year old twins. She currently works through Mom Corps as a Marketing Services consultant. She lives in Mableton GA with her husband of 12 years. During 2007, she was the PTO President of her son's school, devoting 30 hours a week in building up their local charter school. Life is still a juggle; through Mom Corps, it's nice to know that there are work options that can support it.

Posted by: Cloud Conrad, VP – Brand Strategies, Maid Brigade, Inc.

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony." Thomas Merton

Take a moment and take stock of your new years' resolutions. Stick to my budget. Stick to my diet. Stick to my workout plan. Show more patience with the kids. Tell my father I love him more. Take time to mentor my employees. Recycle. New years' resolutions are always so laudable, practical or self-expanding. It seems socially unacceptable to make a resolution to be less productive.

Ladies, this is exactly what we need more of! Permission to do nothing at all. Permission to let someone else do the heavy lifting. Permission to go to a quiet, dark room and just...be. We should each have a quota of "slug hours" each week – time that we don't do anything at all or at least not anything at all that is aimed at world peace, family harmony or carbon credits. We should be made to sit still and be silent. Sort of like a time-out, but without the humiliation or acrimony.

Ironically, being a "slug" IS personal improvement. But instead we fill up our holiday "brag rag" letters with how the children excel at their studies or sports, how we made a difference in the community, or how we earned a promotion at work. Little ink is devoted to how much time we spent meditating or reading People or catching up with an old friend long-distance. But carving out this personal time is vital for balance in our lives. It's important enough to earn a spot up there with the most serious of new years' resolutions.

You are not alone if you feel you deserve a time-out! A recent research study (jointly conducted by Mom Corps and Maid Brigade) found that nearly 3 in 4 women (72%) feel that they work a "2nd shift" - spending a number of hours cleaning and keeping house AFTER spending time in the paid workforce. Yet the study also found that the number one motivator for house cleaning was 'to be able to enjoy my home and relax in it'. Hmmmmm. If someone were to do the housework for me, I would actually have the time to enjoy my home and relax in it!

This is what Maid Brigade does. It's been stated that we are in the business of environmental improvement, home improvement, even health improvement. But what the research tells me is that we are in the personal improvement business. As a house cleaning service we alleviate a huge time burden from our customers and free them up for other, more rewarding activities, as confirmed by the 98% of study respondents that said that having a cleaning service means better balance in their lives.

Going further, there is a definite connection between mental and physical health. Living in a healthy indoor environment contributes to physical and mental well-being. Living in a clutter-free environment helps one feel calmer, concentrate better and have clearer thoughts, and breathe more deeply. If the indoor air quality is poor and/or the indoor environment in general includes chemical toxins, a person's mental or physical health can be compromised, which ultimately affects the other.

There is a growing body of evidence that the chemicals in household products, particularly house cleaning products, bear toxins which can cause health risks as mild as headaches to as severe as cancer. Maid Brigade pioneered the green cleaning movement and leads the industry in green cleaning, with our Green Clean Certified® service.

Make a resolution to find more balance in 2010. Stop working that 2nd shift duty and hire a house cleaning service. Then retreat, recharge, refuel and regroup at the end of the busy workday...in a home cleaned by Maid Brigade.

Retreat, recharge, refuel and regroup at the end of the busy workday...in a home cleaned by Maid Brigade.

Call 888-79GREEN to find Maid Brigade in your area.

Contributed by Nadia McKay

"Work-Life Balance" -- Everyone wants the secret formula, the magic number of hours they should be spending on their various work and personal activities, but the truth is that the definition of balance is different for everyone, and it will vary over time as the demands on each person's time change. This year make it a point to find your own balance niche, rethink your approach to work, and make smarter choices based on your priorities.

There is a lot of debate about the word "balance" and the concepts of "having it all," but what it really comes down to is the freedom to be where you need to be, doing what you need to be doing, at any given time. There is no "balance," only your unique work-life "fit." Everyone has obligations - career, family, friends, community, health and personal goals/pursuits. It is important to note that work life balance is not just a working mother's issue. In fact, there is a wider number of generations in our workforce today than ever before, and each generation has different priorities. In many ways, Generation Y employees are paving the way to flexibility for the generations of workers before them.

Mark Holland, the CEO of Ascend HR Solutions, sets a strong example. Inspired by a Stephen Covey seminar, Holland wrote a personal mission statement to help him stop sacrificing his family and his health for work. This statement has grown into a life plan for Holland and his wife with a 30-year itinerary on spreadsheets that covers the couple's finances (including retirement and college savings), vacations (planned a year and a half out), exercise regimens, spiritual activities, work goals, personal relationships and personal growth. They asked "What are the important things? What do we want to have happen before we die?' "

Creating balance in your life is not a one-shot deal, but a continuous process. Figure out what is important to you, recognize your power to make choices, and be firm in what you can and cannot do. Above all, don't measure balance in hours, but in achievement and enjoyment.

Here are some work-life balance tips, that we have found very helpful at Mom Corps:

- Merge your personal and work calendar: Prioritize your work and non-work items on the same page. Fill up on personal dates/activities and treat them as serious business meetings. Treat "life" as a firm appointment on the calendar, not merely something you do when work is done.

- Do what you love: Don't persist in jobs that you are no good at. Set clear expectations at the ones you are good at. Enjoy what you do and incorporate it into your life so that you don't waste time and energy trying to force a separation between work and life.

- Focus your energy: Do one thing at a time. Rather than multitasking, think channel changing. Focusing on being fully present will lead you to be more effective and more satisfied.

- Don't overbook: Prioritize ruthlessly and say no to non-essential tasks. Delegate where you can. Find backup.

- Don't apologize: do what you need to do without excuses and rid yourself of guilt.

Make 2010 the year to find "your" balance!

Nadia McKay is Regional Vice President of Mom Corps, a staffing firm that serves the flexible employment market. McKay joined Mom Corps in 2007 with 20 years of agency and client-side experience in staffing, advertising and client service. Prior to Mom Corps, she spent 14 years at Digitas, a global marketing services firm. In her most recent role as Vice President/Director of Staffing, she served as a key business partner and advisor to the EVP of the Strategy & Analysis capability. Prior to that, McKay held various account management roles at Digitas, AT&T New Media Services, and Ingalls, Quinn and Johnson. She runs the Boston region for Mom Corps, where she serves a wide range of companies, matching their non-traditional staffing needs with top-tier talent. She is a frequent speaker at educational forums and working mother networking groups, and has appeared on Cable TV speaking on topics such as returning to the workplace during a difficult economic climate. McKay has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Vermont. She lives in Milton with her husband Jim and their two young boys who appreciate her flexible schedule.

Several weeks ago, my iRelaunch co-founder Carol Cohen wrote a blog about nurses returning to work after a career break. For some reason, the blog unleashed a torrent of comments, mostly from young nurses complaining about old nurses or old nurses complaining about young nurses. While reading the comments trashing "the older generation," I couldn't help but reflect on the wisdom I have gained from my father, an 84--year-old businessman who is still working and thriving. So, without further ado, I present five lessons from my father.

1. They can't pay you enough to do something you hate doing. Don't get me wrong. My father enjoys making money and has been quite successful at it, but whenever I was trying to make decisions about my career, he always encouraged me to choose the option most in line with my interests, strengths and values.

2. When negotiating with a person or an institution, don't feel you've got to get it all resolved NOW. You'll often do better if you let the talks run their course. I remember my first real negotiation. I was trying to get a major lender to extend financing for an acquisition. The lender was one of those real "tough guys" who loved making people squirm. He would keep threatening me saying "if you guys don't put this provision in, we're walking." I'd call my father and say "Dad, what do I do?" And my father would say, "you don't have to answer him right now. Just keep moving along. Don't feel like you have to address this particular point today. Talk about other provisions on which you can agree." This was difficult but important advice for me to accept. By nature, I hate waiting and uncertainty. But this strategy has proved so powerful in so many situations that I simply put myself into "Dad negotiating mode" whenever necessary and prepare myself to hunker down and wait it out.

3. To be successful in business, sometimes it's a matter of outlasting the competition. Again, this advice ran counter to my nature. I was used to quick results and quick success. And earlier in my life I often bailed out of promising ventures a year or two too soon. Now I see that it takes years to build a name and a reputation, and if you take the time to do so you could end up outshining your flash-in-the-pan competitors.

4. Be open but focused. My father has taught me this more by example than by word. I've seen him seize on opportunities that he came across almost randomly, but they always built upon the core of his business. So while he was opportunistic, he never seemed to be "all over the place." I keep this in mind as Carol and I bump into potential ideas and business partners. We ask ourselves: does this person or organization fit with our general direction and goals or is it more peripheral?

5. At the end of the day, all you've really got is your reputation. My father learned this himself--the hard way. He was definitely cocky and overconfident early in his career. He occasionally burned bridges and let his pride get in the way. But as he aged he mellowed. He learned to fully value developing and preserving relationships. He's grown from being a "young buck" into an elder statesman, with all the diplomatic skills that implies. I only hope I'll have at least half the name he has.

Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin are the co-authors of the acclaimed career reentry book Back on the Career Track: A Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work, and the co-founders of iRelaunch, a company that produces career reentry programs, events, and content for employers, universities, organizations and individuals. Download our webinar on LinkedInfor Beginners. If you're on career break in the Tri-State area, register for our Career Relaunch Forum October 29, 2009 at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. Carol and Vivian can be reached at info@iRelaunch.com or follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/iRelaunch.

To all Mothers, Moms, Mama's, Ma's, Me-maw's and any other titles given to you as the caregivers, and nurturer's in life. It's Your Day! Let's begin by saying hands down that motherhood alone is by far the most difficult and demanding job in the world. We often think that being the president of the United States may come close. But mothers even have the president beat. I mean after all, he has a cabinet of people around him that will take the fall for him if necessary. He has veto power, 24-hour security, maids, cooks, advisors, speechwriters, informants, a mansion, and he doesn't even have to walk his own dog if he doesn't want to. He not only has one driver, but there are several cars in the motorcade, just in case his driver were to get weary.

On the other hand, we have to begin by sharing our body with another human being, who can never appreciate that until they have to share their body. So forget telling your pregnancy stories to your kids. They can't possibly comprehend it. We are completely responsible for their life, food, clothing, and shelter. We have to cook, clean, wash, iron, shop, groom, clean up poop, wash walls, sign permission slips, coordinate schedules, taxi every child to every event, and oh did I mention wash. The tips below are to help you achieve emotional wellness and balance.

1. Organize Your Day
There is something to be said for organization. Things that are organized can flow more naturally and save a tremendous amount of time. Know what things that you have scheduled at work and home so that you won't find yourself being overwhelmed by time eaters.

2. Lose the Guilt
This emotion alone can weigh you down. It is like an invisible weight that tugs at your heart. Some working mothers feel guilty leaving their children because they have to work, while others feel guilty leaving their kids because they want to work. In either case, you wrestle with the fact that you may miss your babies first steps or you miss the school play because of a late night meeting, and heaven forbid you miss tip off at the basketball game. Understand that guilt comes along with being a mother. We can't be everywhere, do it all, and control all situations.

3. Plan Quality Family Time.
Quality family time has become a lost art. We think about family time when we plan our family vacations. That is the epitome of family time. Okay, but the vacation usually only last for a week or two. What happens with the other 50 weeks of the year? If you don't plan it, it won't just happen. Here two suggestions to get you started. 1) Plan at least 2-3 days a week where you can sit down and enjoy dinner together. That may mean the weekends but I recommend time during the week. It's a great time to keep in touch with your kids. 2) Schedule at least one day a month for family game night.

4. Set up Chores for the Family
In my last book, If I Have to Tell You One More Time, 6 Keys to Motivating Your Kids, I discuss how get kids to love to do their chores. Assigning chores and teaching your children how to clean up will not only save you money and time from having to hire someone or doing it yourself, but it also teaches them how to be responsible and prepares them for the future.

5. Don't Try to Be "Super Mom"
It's official; I give you permission to take your cape off. Somewhere in the early 80's after the commercial, I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan and never, never, never let you forget you're a man, cause I'm a woman broke onto the scene, gave us this indelible notion that we can "do it all." Well, I am here to say, we can't. There are only so many hours in the day and we only so much energy to accomplish before we run out of steam. We are not like the super heroes who have been given extraordinary powers to conquer the world. So stop comparing yourself to other mom's who you may think have it all together. Just focus on what you can do and let the rest go.

Copyright- Dr. Lawana S. Gladney 2009
Excerpts from 50 Tips to Emotional Wellness For Working Mothers
For more information or to purchase a copy of You Can't Be Sick... I Have to Work – 50 Tips to Emotional Wellness for Working Mothers go to www.emotionalwellnessinc.com.

I couldn't believe it, I was in a store yesterday and they were busy marking down bathing suits and putting out sweaters. How dare they rush us through the seasons? According to my calendar we have two more months left of summer!

I have a lot of things I still want to get done this summer -- don't you? What is your plan to get it done?

Summer is a unique time of year. For a few short months everything changes. It's time to relax, enjoy picnics and barbecues with family and friends. There are so many people on vacation that phones stop ringing and offices are nearly empty.

With fewer people around to bug you at work and no homework to worry about, many people figure that the summer is the perfect time to get those long term lingering projects done -- but then September comes and those projects are still lingering.

The main ingredient for getting those projects done is not time -- although that helps! - It is to know what you want to do. With this in mind, here are a few steps to make your summer more productive. It's not too late!

1. Create a wish list. Allow yourself to dream big; imagine you had a magic wand, what would you like to accomplish this summer?

2. Review your wish list. It would be great if you could do it all, but it is probably unrealistic. So ask yourself -- If only a few of these projects can get done which would make the biggest difference in your day to day life?

3. Look at your SHORT list of high priority projects. Define what each project means. Get really specific. For instance, if "get organized" is on your list do you mean go through the paperwork on the desk? Get rid of the unnecessary papers? Find homes for what's left? If "redecorate" is on your list, what do you need to do? Pick a room to start in? Empty a room out first? Pick out furniture? Measure the room? The more specific you can get the better.

4. It's action time! What is one step you can take to move your well defined project ahead? When are you going to do it?

By creating a plan that prioritizes, defines and schedules what you want to do, you will enable yourself to get it done. Come September you'll be able to look back on your relaxing AND productive summer.

So before summer passes you by, go ahead and create that master plan.

About the Author
Carrie Greene is a Coach and Professional Organizer. Work with Carrie to declutter, get organized, be on time and cross things off your lists. Break the hopelessness cycle! Carry through & get things done.

Go to www.CarrieThru.com for free resources & Carrie's 4-part ecourse to calm the overwhelm and get you organized today.

OK, I'll admit it; I love getting rid of things. A couple of weeks ago I was sitting in my office and suddenly had the urge to purge. I filled four bags with papers, notes and other things that weren't serving my needs.

The reason I love getting rid of things is because of the space I discover. It's not only physical space I discover but also space in my mind. I get energized and become more creative.

What I've learned through my work with my clients is that I'm not the only one who gets a rush when space is created but sometimes it's hard to figure out what you can let go of.

When my clients and I talk about getting organized and decluttering the key question that we try to answer is: "What do I get by keeping the object i.e.: what's the value?" versus "What does it cost me to keep it?"

What you get, the value or benefit, is often measured in terms of usefulness, sentimental value and beauty. Cost is generally measured in terms of time, space and money.

Here is a list of seven things that generally cost more to keep then the value they give you in return.

1. Things that you have printed off the internet that you've been meaning to read. They take up physical space and often weigh heavily on your mind because you haven't read them. The really good news is that should you need any of this information in the future you can reprint it.
2. Old, travel size, half used bottles of shampoos, lotions, soaps, cosmetics, etc., that you simply don't use. These items take up valuable cabinet and counter space. It is true that some of the products may still be good and someone else could use them but unless you are using the products you are not getting any value from them and neither is anyone else. Give them away or throw them away and benefit from all of the found space.
3. Clothing that you will wear again when you lose 10 pounds or are stained, don't like or don't wear. These clothes are preventing you from finding the things that fit you and look good on you. Another benefit of getting rid of these clothes is that when you lose 10 pounds you'll get to buy something that you will really enjoy.
4. A gift you received that you don't like or will never use. Even if the person who gave it to you is special or the gift was expensive. What value is that gift giving you? Do you think that the person who gave it to you would want you to feel burdened by it?
5. Something that you bought for yourself, even if it was expensive, that you simply no longer like, never use or won't use again. What benefit are you getting from keeping it? How much space does it take up? How do you feel when you look at it?
6. Tools or gadgets that work great for someone else but don't work for you even if others swear by it. Just because it works for someone else does not mean it's right for you.
7. Knick knacks, souvenirs and other little things that you've collected over the years that remind you of a trip or experience. Do you smile when you look at it or does it get lost in a collection of stuff? Just because you don't have the souvenir doesn't mean you don't have the memory.

As you go through your things use these questions as a guide: • What value or benefit does this give me?
• Is it costing me more then I am getting from it?
• Does someone else what me to have or use it?
• Is it something I keep meaning to use but never seem to?
• Is it costing me more then it is worth to me?

My suggestion to you is get these things out of your home, office and life quickly. I know it can be difficult to throw out "good" things, especially these days, so you might want to plan a big yard sale or find an organization or someone to donate the things you no longer value but please do it quickly. Remember, unless you actually get rid of these things they are still costing you. Make the decision and act on it. You have a lot to gain.

About the Author Carrie Greene is a Coach and Professional Organizer. Work with Carrie to declutter, get organized, be on time and cross things off your lists. Break the hopelessness cycle! Carry through & get things done.

Go to www.CarrieThru.com for free resources & Carrie's 4-part ecourse to calm the overwhelm and get you organized today.

I've just began using twitter.... Please come follow me at http://twitter.com/momcorps

I promise, I won't tell you what I had for breakfast... I'm going to use it to let you know about hot job leads, mom corps news, as well as share some of the struggles that I too have as a working mom.

Come follow me! I'd love to get to know our candidates better...

See you on Twitter!

Allison