Wisdom For Working Mums

It would be easy to just walk away from this year and close the door on it without looking back, hoping that I never have another year like this again. But as difficult as it has been, there have been some deeply profound and important lessons that I want to take from this year. And my guess is that it's the same for you too. If I walked away without reflecting on them I'd lose the goodness in those lessons, and I didn't want to do that. So come join me in my last podcast of 2021 as I share my life lessons. You can listen to the episode here: https://wisdomforworkingmums.co.uk/73 or via itunes, stitcher or spotify. Or you can find it on most other podcast platforms and apps. I hope that they help you reflect on your year too. So we can carry what we need to into 2022 and leave behind what we need to as well. In this episode I share: How this year has made me rethink resilience How I'm focussing on doing less but better My experience in creating space for just me How I'm moving from 'powerful effort' to

As Christmas approaches it’s the season we’re meant to be being happy, joyous and fun – it’s ‘Merry Christmas’ after all. But for many of us, it can lead to more stress and overwhelm. I hear from so many women that they get exhausted and sick at this time of year. So I wanted to share with you three Christmas burnout traps and how you can avoid them. Because this year more than ever we are probably feeling that we’re on the brink of burnout. Christmas has a way of taking the overwhelm up a notch as working mums! In this episode I share:   * How to prevent perfectionism stealing the joy of your Christmas * How to prevent yourself becoming a Merry Martyr this Christmas * How to give the gift of giving without it becoming a problem I truly hope these insights help you to show up for yourself in a loving way so you can be there for your loved ones in the way you want to too.   You can listen here to the episode here: https://wisdomforworkingmums.co.uk/72 or via itunes, stitcher or spotify. Or you ca

Do you struggle to rest as a working mum? Do you feel tired but you just feel like you can't step off the hamster wheel of life? Does your secret fantasy involve going away to a hotel for a weekend *just* to sleep? Then this podcast episode is for you! I'm interviewing Karen Brody, a rest teacher and founder of Daring To Rest.  I came across Karen and her work when I was deep in my own burnout journey.  Her book became my bible and was pivotal in me understanding what had led me to burn out and what I could do to take my power back and recover. Karen is on a mission to support you to experience deep rest by sharing a life-changing, simple, restful transformational nap approach.  Teaching us to slow down and dare to rest. In this episode Karen shares: How her experience with panic attacks in early in her motherhood journey led her to do this work How we value and protect rest for our children but not for ourselves The rest messages we receive at an early age in our culture How our modern society is set up for

As mums there’s probably not a week goes by that we don’t worry about the wellbeing of our children in some way, shape or form. But with the pandemic changing the way we live, work and even school, for many children this time has created unsettling changes.  Often leaving us as parents feeling un-resourced in how to support our children. A survey published by the NHS in September 2021 revealed that children’s mental wellbeing had declined from 2017 with now one in six children in England having a probable mental health issue.  Young people with existing mental health problems also reported that lockdown made their life worse. This has coincided with closures or reduction of key services, including mental health services and youth services. I don’t know about you but at times I’ve felt like I’ve needed more support and resources to navigate some of these worries. That’s why I’m so excited to introduce you to my guest – Dr Esther Cole Dr. Cole is Clinical Director & Clinical Psychologist at Lifespan Psychol

It can be hard as a working mum to find enjoyment in the busyness of life.  If you find yourself being pulled in different directions and feeling like there's not enough time to enjoy life, then this episode is for you. In this episode I share: The powerful life lessons that have reminded me how important it is to enjoy life The neuroscience of why we might struggle to enjoy life and be truly happy Three tips to enjoy life even in the messy middle as a working mum You can access the show notes here: https://wisdomforworkingmums.co.uk/69 Could you do me a huge favour and share this episode with two or three working mums that pop into your head as you listen? My mission is to support as many working mums on their journey as possible, and so I'd be so grateful if you supported them by offering this free podcast. I hope it's been helpful to you, and if so, I hope you pass that on.   Your review can help other people find my podcast so you’ll be helping another working mum find this resource. Plus I also love t

Parenting can undoubtably be one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences…..when things are going well.  But when things aren’t going to so well it can be one of the most challenging, isolating and guilt ridden experiences.   This is the time when we need more resources but feel under resourced.  It can often be a really triggering time bringing out the less than helpful aspects of ourselves.  We’ve all been there - even if we’re ashamed to admit it.   We all want to have loving, calm and happy relationships with our children but what do we do when we get off track with this? How do we handle the everyday stuff like the morning rush, sibling squabbles or challenging behaviour - both powerfully and lovingly?  How do we stop these everyday challenges becoming even bigger and long term? Today’s guest is here to help.   Oona Alexander is one of the UK’s most highly regarded parenting experts, much loved by parents for her unique, radically loving approach to creating happier families. Oona works with exasper

If you're an overburdened working mum and feel like you need a permission slip to pursue activities that make you feel whole then this episode is for you. In this episode I'm exploring how to create Unicorn Space as a working mum.  You'll know if you need unicorn space if you struggle to do anything for yourself that feels like fun or indulgent.  Or if you know that deep down you want some time for yourself - outside of being a mum, partner, an employee or business owner - but you find it difficult to make it happen. In this episode I share: My recent experience that taught me the value of unicorn space What unicorn space is Why as women, and working mothers in particular, we find it hard A simple step to start to identify your unicorn space You can access the show notes here: https://wisdomforworkingmums.co.uk/67 "I love Nicky and Wisdom For Working Mums". 

In September 2021 I joined Giovanna Fletcher, Emma Willis and over 100 other incredible women for a life changing experience in the hills of the Scottish Highlands for a charity challenge. We trekked 100km over 5 days completing unrelenting ascents through some of Scotland's most famous and iconic mountains whilst camping all in aid of the brilliant charity CoppaFeel!. This episode shares an insight into the amazing women I met, the life affirming experience we had and the lessons we learnt along the way. I think you're going to love this behind the scenes insight into our CoppaFeel! trek challenge. You can access the show notes here: https://wisdomforworkingmums.co.uk/66 "I love Nicky and Wisdom For Working Mums". 

We’ve come along way since women were given equal rights but despite this, we still don’t seem to have worked out how to navigate the dynamic of a woman being the main earner in their household. The earning capabilities and responsibilities of women have shifted but attitudes and understanding of what it means to be a female main earners haven’t moved as quickly. If you’re a female main earner (or planning to be) and struggling with how to fully embrace your role then this podcast is for you. In this episode my guest is Jenny Garratt OBE, an Award Winning Career Coach, Leadership Trainer, Speaker & Author. She is well known for her work empowering working women, particularly female main earners, through her book Rocking Your Role. Whether you’re a female main earner by choice or chance, I know you’re going to get so much from this conversation. And even if you’re not the main earner in your family what we explore in this conversation will be so powerful. You can access the show notes here: https://wis

In this episode I explore my experience of becoming a mother without my own mother here.  These insights are not only for mothers who are without their mother (for whatever reason) but for any mother who wants to feel more resourced in motherhood. In this episode I share: * What a child-mother is and the impact for new mothers * How my training in systemic constellations gave me powerful insights into motherhood * The dynamic between new mothers and their own mothers * What we can do as mothers to feel more resourced in motherhood  You can access the show notes here: https://wisdomforworkingmums.co.uk/64    

Would you like to save at least an hour a week? Silly question if you're a busy working mum, right? This episode is guaranteed to make a difference in your life if cooking and feeding your family is a source of stress in your home. Today's guest is Suzanne Mulholland a time-saving guru, a family cooking expert and Sunday Times best selling author of The Batch Lady books. Suzanne has applied her background as a time management trainer in her own life to such massive success that she's become the internet sensation The Batch Lady. She's helped thousands of people to cook quick, easy, homemade and healthy family meals for the freezer to save time, money and waste.  And she's here to share her wisdom and expertise with you. In this episode Suzanne shares: What batch cooking actually is Simple and practical ways to get started with batching Insights into how Suzanne applies this in her own life Some great hacks and tricks to save time and energy as a working mum You can access the show notes here: https://wisdom

Have you ever felt like you need to lean out of your career to manage the juggle as a working mum?  That you just can’t make the jigsaw puzzle work?  If you have, then this episode is for you! Going back to work after having a baby can be tough.  For many women going back to work full time is financially, emotionally, logistically and sometimes physically impossible.   So many women end up leaving their jobs and even their careers because they can’t find a way to combine their work and motherhood in a sustainable way. When my guests Hannah Hall-Turner and Rachel Maguire were colleagues at the same company and had their babies 6 days apart, they shared their dream to achieve work life balance with their new family commitments.  They didn’t want to leave their careers and qualifications they’d worked so hard for.  But they also didn’t want to miss out on the precious firsts with their babies. So they decided to put a business case to their employer to job share.  They got it approved and it was a win/win/win. 

Are you the default parent in your family? Are you the one who gets the call when your child is ill and are expected to change your plans at the drop of a hat? It can be exhausting and challenging to be the flex point as a working mum. When you and your life have to be flexible enough to accommodate the ever changing needs of your family.  In this episode I share four simple but powerful strategies for making life easier when you're the flex point in your family. You can access the show notes here: https://wisdomforworkingmums.co.uk/61  

It's easy to lose your style mojo when you become a mum.  Trying to make your wardrobe work for the different roles in life can be challenging. In this episode I speak with Helen Reynolds founder of image consultancy Helen Reynolds Style.   Helen works with professional women who recognise the importance of being well presented and up-to-date but struggle to get it quite right.  Helen's ethos is that when you feel good about yourself it's easier to step up in life and in business.  This episode is jam packed with so many practical tips and insights on how to look and feel more confident in your outfits. This episode is for you if: you're fed of your wardrobe being another stressful thing in your life you want to reclaim your time and energy in the morning  want to find your style and feel great in your clothes no matter what the occasion  You can access the show notes here: https://wisdomforworkingmums.co.uk/60

How as a working mum can you perform and stay at your best without sacrificing your personal life or health? As working mums we know all too well how challenging it is balancing our careers with our personal lives. The blend between them has such profound implications for our wellbeing. In this episode I'm joined by global wellbeing expert Audrey McGibbon who is a psychologist, business leader and co-creator of the Global Leadership Wellbeing Survey.  Audrey shares some powerful insights on wellbeing for working mums. If you're a working mum who identifies with being a leader in the workplace you're going to love this episode. In this episode Audrey shares: a fundamental misunderstanding about wellbeing the differences between male and female wellbeing the impact of Covid on wellbeing and specifically for working mums insights into burnout and depletion and practical coping and prevention strategies how to create wellbeing in our households not just in our workplaces why, if you're achievement orientated, yo

Wisdom For Working Mums is all about helping you create the freedom to flourish in your life.  To have the impact you want with more ease and my enjoyment.  But all too often we spend too much time worrying about and working on our weaknesses.  When we do that we overlook our strengths and successes.  That’s a missed opportunity for us, as the research absolutely shows us that people who use their strengths flourish in their lives. And today’s guests are ALL about that. I’m joined in this episode by Michele Deeks and Martin Galpin who are both Chartered Psychologist specialising in the application of positive psychology to improve workplace wellbeing and engagement.  They’re co-founders of At My Best - helping individuals, teams and organisations be more aware of their strengths so they can be at their best more of the time. Join us as we discuss the value of understanding our strengths, how to become more aware of them and put them to use in our lives to experience more impact, wellbeing and to ultimately to

Everybody has a personal brand – whoever you are, whatever you do, you make an impact on those you around you……whether you know it or not.  Jeff Bezos famously once said “Your personal brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room”  Do you know what people say about you when you’re not in the room? Today’s episode I’m going to be exploring how you consciously focus on your personal brand.  But for many of us, creating a personal brand can feel like a daunting and mythical task - like searching for unicorn dust.  That’s why I’m so excited to be joined by Personal Brand expert Deborah Ogden. Deborah help individuals be visible, building profile, impact, & presence with a stand out Personal Brand. We’re going to be diving into making sure you get noticed, heard and remembered - for the right reasons!  Because the research shows that when we build a positive personal brand it has so many benefits personally and professionally. Deborah also understands the impact to our personal brand when we

If you're a high-achiever and pride yourself on doing well in life, there's a risk you're also an overfunctioner. An overfunctioner is someone who looks like they have it all together.  They're organised, reliable, helpful and viewed as a great partner, colleague or friend.  From the outside all these things are perceived to be great.  But for an overfunctioner on the inside it leads to frustration, exhaustion and even burnout. You’ll recognise if you overfunction if: something needs to get done at work and you just do it, whether it's your job or not someone in your life is struggling with something and you feel responsible to help them, even if they don't ask for your help you have a secret (or not so secret) belief that if something needs doing, it won’t get done unless you do it, even if the other person is capable  you feel overly concerned for everyone’s happiness In this episode I explore: What is overfunctioning How it might show up in your life How you can move from overfunctioning to optimal-func

As a working mum you've likely got more stakeholders than most. You're probably already a communication ninja, but are you consistently having the impact you want? In today's episode my guest Felicity Wingrove is sharing The 5 Secrets To Communicating With Absolute Mastery.  What she shares can be used in the boardroom but also around the kitchen table to take positive control of how you're perceived, truly own your space and powerfully and ethically influence the people who matter most to you. Felicity is one of the UK's leading experts in the applied psychology of language.  She's a Psycholinguist, PR Strategist, Reputation Manager and Content and Copy Writer.   She leverages the art and science of persuasion and influence to achieve truly exceptional results for her clients.  And she's here to share her incredible insights with you too. You can find more information over on the podcast show page: http://www.wisdomforworkingmums.co.uk/55

There's a concept known as the paradox of success. Where we believe that the things that have contributed to our success in life so far will be a good predictor of our future success.  But in actual fact they can be the things that hold you back as you transition into a new phase in your life. In this episode I explore the concept of 'What Got You Here, Won't Get You There.'  That the beliefs and attitudes that have supported you to achieve success in your life prior to motherhood may not be the ones that enable you to thrive once you have children.  You can find further information on the podcast page: http://www.wisdomforworkingmums.co.uk/54