A Balanced Life: Streamlining Technology to Manage Your Family and Career

I was recently on a conference call with a valued long-term client in my home office when my three year old ran up the stairs (he was home sick from school) and yelled loud enough for the entire block to hear “Mommy- I have to poop!” He was supposed to be quietly watching Toy Story and eating a snack on the first floor two full stories below my third floor office!

I could have died of embarrassment. Luckily, this client is also a working mom and her kids have been heard in the background on many of our phone conversations. My phone headset was connected to my laptop, so I unplugged the laptop power cord, balanced the laptop on one arm and held his hand with the other arm to go downstairs to the second floor bathroom; all the while I kept talking! I muted the phone when it was time to flush but other than that I kept going and didn’t miss a beat. I wish you could have seen me that day (with my hands full) LITERRALY juggling work and motherhood; it was a site to behold! 

It’s a struggle to maintain a balanced life. I am a mom, wife, business owner, author, professional speaker and my work requires frequent travel. As I write this article, I am in Delta seat 14B flying from Raleigh-Durham to Birmingham, Alabama to give a speech the following day. How do I do it? Technology—I use it to make me more efficient and to stay connected with my clients, friends and family. 

When I’m home, I’m home.  

I work hard on the road so when I’m home I can be focused on family and friends. When I’m traveling for work, I generally turn down invitations to dinner or sight-seeing and use every free second to work so that I don’t feel pressured to work after the plane lands. I use a ThinkPad laptop, an AT&T wireless air card and an iPhone to make sure I stay connected from coast to coast. How portable is your technology? Does it allow you to maximize your non-desk time and free you for more important priorities? 

I only buy “one-click” gadgets. 

I don’t buy technology online (gasp) until I have played with it in-person. Usability is a major selling factor for me. I only buy “one-click” super easy gadgets. I don’t have the time or interest to read the user’s manual. A perfect example is The Flip video camera. It has one big red button and super simple editing software. It plugs directly into your computer with no extra cords needed. Love it!  

All of my technology works together. 

All of your technology gadgets should sync with one another. They should also automate tasks and eliminate manual steps. My laptop is connected via an exchange server to the office, so my email is always up-to-date on my desktop, iPhone and my laptop. If you don’t have a server, consider using Webmail and Google Docs so your email and files can be retrieved from any computer with Internet access. Another option is an application like GoToMyPC where you can access your computer files from any computer with Internet access. If this seems overwhelming to you, hire a network administration company to help you. They can streamline and sync everything together in a workable system. 

As I proof this article, the plane has landed and I’m at the hotel. My work is finished for the evening and it’s time to Skype with my son to hear about his day and say goodnight. 

I may be a working mom, but the “mom” in my title always comes first!

This article was written for and published in the most recent Building Women Magazine the official trade publication of the National Association of Home Builders Professional Women in Building Council. I appreciate the opportunity to write for the magazine and value my membership in the PWB. I encourage all women in the home building industry to join PWB!