If you’re trying to balance being a mom with an executive career, you might feel like the two are mutually exclusive. You can’t do both at once, right?

Wrong! You can be an amazing mom and an amazing executive at the same time. It’s possible.

I know what you’re thinking: How can I be a good mom AND an executive? 

We’ll be honest – It’s not easy. Being a mom and an executive can be tough. For starters, you have so much on your plate, and it can feel like you just don’t have time for anything else. But it’s important to remember that you are not alone in this struggle! There are many women who have had to figure out how to juggle their careers, their parenting responsibilities, and their personal needs. And they’ve done it!

If you take a few important steps, you’ll find that you can do both—and in the process, make yourself happier than ever! Here are some tips for being a great mom and executive:

1. Make time for yourself

It is important for you to make sure you set aside time for yourself every day so that you don’t get burned out or stressed out by everything going on around you. Making time for  yourself will also make sure that you’re not constantly exhausted by work and parenting. Most importantly, make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, and using your vacation days so that you don’t burn out at work or at home.

2. Set boundaries

 with your family so that they know what is expected of them and when it will happen (for example, make sure everyone knows that dinner is at 6pm every night)

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Getting overwhelmed? Seek help – Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it—from your husband, your family, and even your company. It is okay to get an assistant to help with the kids. 

Having friends and family who support your goals is essential for success in any endeavor—but especially when it comes to balancing being an exec with being a mom! Make sure these relationships are strong so that when times get tough—and they will—you have people around who understand what you’re going through and care enough about you to help out however they can (even if it means just listening).

4. Try not to take on too much

Managing people takes a lot of energy—and when you’re managing people at home as well as at work, it can be very draining. Make sure that you give yourself enough time to rest so that you are getting enough sleep every night—that will go a long way toward helping you stay healthy and happy!

5. Take breaks!

We all know how important exercise is, but did you know that taking breaks can actually help improve your productivity? If you take regular breaks during your workday (even if they’re just five minutes long), it helps keep your brain fresh and focused so that when it comes time for another big project or task, there’s less of a chance that something else will derail your momentum before it even starts!

6. Come up with a routine

Routine is key when you’re trying to get things done both in your personal life and at work. You need to know what’s coming up on your calendar so that you can plan accordingly, and you’ll also want to be able to tell when it’s time for you to step away from work and focus on family.

If there are a couple of things that always happen during the week—like taking the kids to school in the morning or picking them up after soccer practice—schedule them into your calendar so that they’re easy to keep track of!

7. Don’t put yourself down. 

You’re a great mom, and you’re also an amazing executive. You deserve to be proud of who you are and what you’ve done, no matter how many times your kids knock over the milk again or how many times your boss tells you that you need to work faster.

Don’t get too stressed out about things; if something doesn’t go according to plan, just roll with it!

No matter what you choose, the key to being a good mom and an executive is not letting the two roles muddle or dictate your identity. You are a human being, with strengths, weaknesses and limitations. Don’t ignore that. Put your support system in place (people who can help you) before time becomes limited and life gets extremely busy. In other words, today is the best time to put the equation’s pieces in place so that in 8-10 years when you’ve got a full plate at home and work, it will all make sense.