It is well known that mommin’ ain’t easy. And juggling the responsibilities of motherhood and the demands of the workplace can drive even the strongest career woman to the brink of insanity. But, as I’ve said before, working moms make some of the best employees. That is why it is essential for every working mom to find a work bestie. And stat.
Here are four reasons every working mom needs a work bestie:
A work bestie listens to you vent
There are things about your job that your spouse won’t understand, that your bestie won’t understand, or that your mom tribe won’t understand. But your work bestie will understand. Like about just how annoying a loud office talker can be. Or how unfair that assignment is to you. Or how you were overlooked for that promotion. Or how that client completely ignored you in the meeting, only engaging with your male boss. Being able to voice these frustrations without having to explain the backstory is a gift in itself, and being able to leave the office free from that pent-up anger is a gift to your family as well.
A work bestie helps carry your load
Let’s be honest, as hard as we might try, there are tasks on our list that go undone. And maybe for longer than we’d like. And those undone tasks can often lead to additional anxiety. And in some cases, a work bestie can step in and help. Maybe the task is work-related if you work in the same department or have similar functions. And maybe it is home-related – like picking up a gift you’d been needing to buy because she was going to the store on her lunch break. And those small things can feel like big things when they are to-do’s no longer looming over you.
A work bestie cheers you on
When celebrating wins at work, whether they are big or small, a work bestie is often the first one to hear about it. If it’s small, she will understand the significance, because she’s seen how hard you’ve worked towards the goal. And if it’s big….she is treating to drinks! Because when you’ve been through items 1 and 2 on this list together, you are definitely celebrating any chance you get!
A work bestie makes you better
Because she’s listened to, encouraged you, carried your load, and cheered you on, there is perhaps no one better than a work bestie to tell you the honest truth about what you could be doing differently to get better results. Whether or not you work closely together, or just for the same company, having someone who can look at patterns where you seem to be getting stuck, times when you shrink back when you should step forward, forces you to face those things that need to change and pursue those opportunities that would allow you to grow.
So here’s to all the work besties, helping us working moms be the best we can be – at work and at home!
Do you have a work bestie? How does she make things better for you?
