Managing Your Time, Your Life and Still Managing to Deliver: This is Not a How-To Guide.

No part of me believes I am in a position to advise anyone else on how to get everything right. Rolling with mistakes has kind of become my jam, but I make sure to take something new from each of them. A life lesson? Sure, sometimes. Sometimes it's just a funny story, but at the end of the day, it's all the past.

So let me introduce myself. I am a single mom of 2 very adorable and very loud children, and I have worked at the same company for over a decade. I live far away from my office and commute 3 hours a day. My routine consists of rushing to get my kids to school, rushing to catch my train, work a productive day, rushing out to get the train home, pick up the kids from 2 different schools, somehow cook a semi-nutritious meal, pretend I know what I'm talking about when it comes to homework, fight over bedtime and finally succumb to Netflix. If I'm reeeeeeeally lucky, I can throw a shower in there for my children, but not often enough to call it "routine".

I know how it sounds, I really do, but from the bottom of my heart, I wouldn't change a thing (except maybe the shower part a little). The most valuable lesson I have learned is a 3 part-er, and it keeps me happy, motivated and sane. Ready for it?

Part 1 - I often take my friends and family for granted. I'm not proud of that, but I accept it. But every now and then, at least once a day, I slow down long enough to see what I have: 2 kids who crack me up, both of my parents who are up and about, a sister I consider my best friend, and a group of friends who are like-minded goofballs that put up with me.

Part 2 - I love my job. I mean, probably too much. I am surrounded by wonderful people, in an incredible atmosphere. At the same time, my company acknowledges that flexibility is appreciated and I am lucky enough that they give it to me. In return, I work harder and produce better quality. I'm not sure what matters to me more, succeeding at what I do, or my company succeeding overall. Too close to call, but I am doing something that challenges and fulfills me and I look forward to coming in everyday. It makes the 3 hour commute disappear (Unless I miss my train...).

And this all leads to Part 3 - Gratitude. Parts 1 & 2 are essentially what make up who I have become. While there are a few things to tweak here and there, by owning the good things I have, the harder parts fade. I've gone through unfortunate circumstances, I also have a lot more than others. By comparing, I lose. By looking at what makes me happy and what drives me, I have it all and while I may forget from time to time, I always circle back and land where I should. So, again, I say gratitude. I am grateful for what I have and I am grateful for the ability to acknowledge it. It enables me to not only keep it together, but to succeed.

I repeat, this is not advice or words of wisdom. This is simply me sharing what works for me and the beauty of social media is that is your choice what you do with it. I could have just posted a picture of my breakfast and saved some time, but I didn't have time to eat this morning.