“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
The phrase "women can't have it all" frustrates me.
I believe "having it all" requires the appropriate mindset to make the most of the opportunities given to us. My roadmap to having it all is:
Building a life, not a resume
Including in my list of accomplishments: people's lives I have touched, ways I've demonstrated my love for my family, and how I have used my skills to aid my church and my community
Investing in my most valuable assets, my precious children, by taking the time to listen to them and being involved in their lives even if it means missing a corporate dinner for a basketball game or helping with homework when I need to work on a presentation
Thinking positively, smiling often
Being genuine, feminine, caring, and gracious even in a harsh, egotistical environment
Not allowing frustrations at work and in life to dampen my spirit and instead channeling that energy into creating positive changes
Embracing challenges, disregarding perceptions
Using my leadership and mentoring skills to encourage and support women in becoming leaders in business and in the community
Taking the time to understand how cultural, social, and racial differences create opportunities, not barriers
I do think it is possible to have it all – it is just how we choose to define it.
— Jennifer Keedy Banks