“If I weren’t a mom, I would have more time to get work done.”
My anxiety about my workload was through the roof.
I was stressed, overwhelmed, and burnt out. I spent my nights searching for a new place to live because I wanted to escape my life. As a high achiever, I always had a plan, but now I felt lost. This was not the life I envisioned for myself or my daughter. I needed something to change.
I WAS A HIGH ACHIEVER STUCK IN THE CYCLE OF DOING TOO MUCH.
→ I didn’t let the title of “single mom” get in the way of achieving. I was the ultimate PTA President, raising over $50,000 and working on social justice issues in the neighborhood, attending rallies, having meetings with the local precinct, or running events in my spare time.
→ Being the daughter of an immigrant meant my job in the family was to ensure my mother’s financial life was cared for and organized, as well as that of any other family member or friend in need.
→ At the university, I was known as the “Dean who got things done.” Everyone came to me for help, and I happily said yes. When I wasn’t working, I was mentoring young professionals. I was the go-to person for everyone.
→ To friends, I was the confidante and problem solver. I had the solution to everyone’s problem.
My Life Was Out of Control.
- I numbed myself with work.
When projects came on at work, I said yes. If the PTA needed another fundraiser, I did it without a problem. As a second-generation immigrant, I helped any family or friend in need. I avoided finding love, taking care of my physical and mental health, finances, and anything that brought me stress. - As a WOC and second-generation immigrant who accomplished a lot, I felt a deep responsibility to help others.
I was accomplished and wanted to help anyone else succeed. No one asked or required me to help. It was all on me. If my former students called me, I dropped everything to help. My colleagues knew I loved to mentor and would reach out for “small talk,” and I always said yes. - I developed unhealthy stress management coping skills.
I grew up in a home that valued production over emotion. So, I practiced negative habits to manage my stress. My favorite was avoidance, or people pleasing, so I didn’t have to deal with other people’s emotions. It was just easy to give in. I numbed myself with work. I was always on edge and quietly struggled with anxiety. - I was outgrowing my life.
Something was changing on the inside. I was growing and needed a new challenge. My work was no longer satisfying. I needed something more. I lost my passion.
ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH.
I decided I deserved an
AMAZING LIFE
I HAD TO START TAKING ACTION
I was burnt out and needed to find the problem. So, I started to review my life.
I loved my job; however, the higher I climbed the ladder, the more and more responsibilities came. As a WOC at a high-level job, I didn’t trust I could ask for help. I just kept saying yes.
Work was not the problem.
As a single mom, motherhood felt like a burden that was getting in the way of my career. If I weren’t a mom or if I weren’t doing it on my own, then I would have plenty of time to do the work of five people.
Motherhood was not the problem.
I wanted the PTA to succeed. If I didn’t feel the heavy responsibility for the program to succeed, I could say no and clear my stress.
The PTA wasn’t the problem.
I was the problem.
✓ I didn’t know how to ask for help, even from people I trusted. I didn’t want to look incompetent. Receiving help felt like I was defeated.
✓ I struggled with anxiety and didn’t learn good tools to manage stress, and now it was catching up to me.
✓ My worth and value came from what I was able to produce. I subconsciously believed I wasn’t valuable if I didn’t produce. So, I continued to push myself.
I also realized I built an amazing career and was there for everyone, but I forgot to be there for myself. I wasn’t building a wonderful, full life; I was barely getting by. My work became my primary relationship, and it was failing.
Soon after, I began to untangle my mess and figure out what I wanted. I was tired of serving everyone else and finally sat down to figure out what was important to me.
My priorities became simple:
→ Restore my relationship with my daughter Olivia.
→ Develop a deeper relationship with God.
→ Reconnect with myself and take care of my physical and mental health needs. (Set boundaries, deal with anxiety, and develop health stress management techniques)
Slowly, I began to let go of what no longer served me.
My life completely changed. Yours can, too!
You Are The Only One Who Can Change Your Life.
As a coach, I help high-achieving women stop overloading their calendars and start taking vacations, dating, and reconnecting with family and friends and with themselves.
Show up and make it your best year ever!
KIND WORDS FROM MY CLIENTS
Coaching with you has literally changed my life. Thank you for helping me organize my thoughts, change my mindset, and learn to dream new dreams again. Thank you for pushing me beyond my comfort zone to realize that I can make the change I want to happen!
Joselyn M.
NYC TeacherI was a young mother rife with insecurities. I often felt disenfranchised about my circumstances and unsure of my power to change the direction of my life. Through coaching with Leslie, I realized I had more agency than I thought. She encouraged me as I worked full-time and completed my degree. One of my greatest challenges has been to retain focus on myself and my own goals. Oftentimes, I would find myself getting pulled into the vortex of the demands of parenting, marriage, and the challenges of balancing full-time work and school. My mind was racing all the time, and in my frenetic rush to be everything and everywhere at once, I was going nowhere and helping no one. With Leslie’s help, I learned to block out the noise around me, prioritize, and be present in the moment.
Mandeep S.
University AdministratorOne of Leslie’s lessons in organization was how to evaluate what is serving me and how to let go of what is no longer serving me. This lesson also applied to my personal life and helped me change my relationships. Leslie always inspired me by her wisdom and courage to stand in her truth. Through our conversations, I learned to appreciate myself more and be kind to myself. I became aware of my needs and gained the confidence to assert them. When I graduated, I felt empowered as an efficient worker and an insightful, strong woman.
