It’s Mothering Sunday in the UK this weekend.
I know, I know – so early in the year. It’s a historical thing.
In many parts of the world, Mother’s Day won’t be until 8th May. That’s you, for example, if you’re in the USA, Europe or Australia.
But I say, if you can, put your feet up this Sunday.
Many PAs, EAs and VAs are mums. Many of them juggle bringing up a family with holding down a professional career or running a business.
You may be one of them.
Even if you’re not a mum, feel free to have a break and be pampered. You deserve it.
(Oh, and if you’re a guy reading this, I appreciate you may be a dad but you do get your own special day – most likely in May, June or September, depending on where you are in the world).
Because, let’s face it, as women we probably have to work a bit harder for our success. The big wins, the little wins.
We tend to put others before ourselves.
We tend to give, give and give.
We tend to give ourselves a hard time – we’re often our harshest critic.
This Sunday, take the day off.
Put your feet up. Get pampered. Enjoy the flowers. Enjoy the chocolate. Enjoy the treats.
And even if you’re not a mum, do the same. Share in the celebrations, rest and relaxation.
I’m saying this because I know how easily we can push ourselves to the limit and beyond – get tired or become exhausted.
When I was recording Essential Office for The Savvy Assistant for my new program, MS Office Mastery for The Savvy Assistant, the hours just racked up every week.
So much went into it.
The concept. The preparation. The outline. The structure. The content.
The equipment. The backdrop. The tech.
Hours and hours and hours of recording to cover the content in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams. Making it ready for Windows 11 and making it to the highest possible quality, including the audio.
On top of everything else I was doing, it did take its toll on my health and energy. I realised I needed to give myself time for some rest and recharging of the batteries.
The default for me is just to keep pushing and pushing.
But even I had to pause.
It was good to take stock and give myself a break. I really felt much better for it. I was better able to pace myself.
Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday as it’s known in the UK and some other parts of the world, is a perfect time to reflect and do just that.
As it happens, the working week in Israel where I live, means I work on Sundays. However, I will be thinking of family – and find other time for rest and celebration.
In fact, I booked myself some spa treatments at a really nice hotel as a treat for all the productivity and work of the past few months.
So, don’t worry, I will have the chance to put my feet up, too.
Wherever you are, wherever you are at with your career, life and business, I salute you.
The PAs, EAs and VAs of this world give so much. You have earned a break.
Whether it’s this weekend or later in the calendar year, Happy Mother’s Day.
