The Hello Bar is a simple web toolbar that engages users and communicates a call to action.

Entrepreneurship Isn’t Just for Extroverts

May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I learned a lot about what it means to be an introvert writing my Crain’s Chicago Business column this week. For starters, introversion isn’t about lacking confidence, being shy or having poor social skills. It’s about drawing energy from solitude rather than social groups.

What’s more, although extrovert traits often seem to be valued more, introverts bring equally valuable strengths to the table. They make excellent entrepreneurs, too. Check out the insights two introvert entrepreneurs shared with me, and then share some thoughts of your own.

Do you draw energy from being alone or with others — and how does this help you in work and in life? 

Don’t Let Pinterest Make You Feel Inadequate

May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In this piece that I wrote for the Learning Care Group, I explore why the hot website Pinterest is causing anxiety for some parents. Use Pinterest for inspiration, but not for comparison!

Military Spouses Face Work/Life Hurdles

April 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Here’s a new piece I wrote for the ABA Journal about the unique work/life challenges faced by military spouses. The hurdles are particularly acute for lawyers, who can be faced with the unpleasant prospect of taking multiple bar exams as they move from state to state.

First Lady Michelle Obama with Military Spouse JD Network Co-Founder Mary Reding

While some other professions have allowed military spouses to “waive in” without additional licensing requirements, law is late to the game. But thanks to the efforts of some tenacious female lawyers, the Military Spouse JD Network is changing that.

At this year’s ABA Midyear Meeting in New Orleans, the House of Delegates unanimously passed a resolution urging state and local bar authorities to accommodate these lawyers in various ways, including “admission by endorsement” to allow licensed military spouse attorneys to be admitted without examination in another. They also urged states to reduce bar application and membership fees.

Does the “two-professional problem” affect your work/life choices?

Happy Anniversary to Good Enough Is the New Perfect!

April 19, 2012 By 1 Comment

It’s been exactly one year since we launched Good Enough Is the New Perfect– what an adventure! Becky and I have been so privileged to travel the country, sharing our message of balance, perspective and hope.

Hollee and Becky celebrate the launch

When women write us notes and letters, telling us that we’ve articulated the uneasy feelings that they’ve experienced since crossing into motherhood, it feels so worthwhile. When they say they’re ready to drop Never Enough in favor of a Good Enough approach, we want to stand up and cheer.

Thank you, our supportive readers, for celebrating Good Enough Is the New Perfect with us! We cannot adequately express our gratitude for all that you’ve done to help us spread the word. Thank you for inviting us to speak on work/life balance and modern motherhood, well, all over the place — we’ve talked The New Perfect in Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York, Champaign-Urbana, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Morgantown, Sacramento and Myrtle Beach, to name just a few of our stops!

If you like our message, please help us keep the buzz alive. Mother’s Day is around the corner — do you know a mom or mom-to-be who might benefit from our book? Would you be willing to suggest it when friends ask for a good read? We truly appreciate all that you’ve done to make this first year such a success. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

 

Should women get double the salary for having a baby?

April 18, 2012 By 2 Comments

I knew I loved Australia for a reason. (OK, my reasons for loving Oz are many; this next bit is really just icing on the cake. Or whipped cream on the pavlova, or chocolate on the Tim Tams, or whatever …) According to a story on TODAY Moms, an Australian company has instituted a new policy meant not only to encourage new moms to return to work, but to reduce the financial pressure that comes with it. When women at Insurance Australia Group return from their 14-week maternity leave, they will get DOUBLE the salary for their first six weeks back.

Sound great? Apparently not everyone agrees. Some commenters on The Grindstone felt it was unfair to those without children.

What do you think? Is it fair to give a new mom extra money when she returns to work?

The American Lifestyle in the News

April 8, 2012 By 1 Comment

I ran across two stories this week that seem to be getting a lot of buzz. The first, which appeared in today’s New York Times, discusses the “Non-Joie of Parenting” American-style, where kids’ schedules are packed and no one gets a break (especially the chauffeuring moms). The author compares her parenting lifestyle in Europe to her new schedule in the United States, and you won’t be surprised which sounds a bit more appealing.

Sheryl Sandberg

The second story making the rounds is about Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg, who has made it a practice to leave work at 5:30 p.m. regardless of what is going on. Sounds like a step in the right direction for work/life balance, doesn’t it?

Anything resonate with you in these stories?

« Older Posts