Keep Changing Plans

I like to plan ahead. Even going to a day trip, I would spend some time to do research to make sure I could spend the time there in the most efficient way. Depending on the nature of the plan, I always build in some alternatives for any uncertainties.

The reality is that nothing goes as the ideal plan. I have to keep changing plans to accommodate the environment. Sometimes I wonder if it would be easier to just go as the flow. But I can’t. It is not me. I have to know what to expect in order to work effectively. With such expectation, I get disappointment every now and then. It is when we have to change plan again.

To plan or not to plan? For me, it is not an option.

It Is a Matter of Priority And Determination

When I left work today, my colleague said "Run. Go to your second job." She was referring to picking up the children from summer camp and nursery school. She knew I was late. What she did not know was that I was actually running to my first job.

Don’t get me wrong. I am very serious about my career and have been working damn hard at my full-time job. Nevertheless, nothing is comparable to my role as a mother. My three "bosses" are my first priority, my life. I am always there when they need me. If any of them is sick or have performance/competition, everything has to wait. I will reschedule meetings. I will finish work late at night. I will skip blogging.

People always ask how I could manage so many things. I believe it is a matter of priorities and determination. If you fill your bottle with stones first, it will have room for sand and water. Not the other way though.

Am I tired? Physically, sometimes. Mentally and spiritually, never better. My children are my source of happiness and motivation. They make me more passionate about life and more engaged in my work. They are my angels.

I would not be able to balance work and life without others’ help. I am thankful to have:

• a understanding husband (Well, he actually does a lot more than just understanding.)
• accommodating employers (Flexibility is the key.)
• a great babysitter (I consider myself won a lotto to have her before my children goes to school.)
• a supportive family (They live close and have been my back-up whenever I need.)

Thank you all!

Event Networking vs Children Events

Since I have changed my career path recently (from agency/media to financial services), I have been actively seeking for any networking opportunities in the new industry. In the past few months, I have been to quite many business events. Though I met some interesting people and had some great conversations, I found it very hard to seriously connect with people after the events. Comparatively, networking at children events is so much easier to initiate and maintain.

Just two weeks ago, I was in a chess tournament with my daughters. While the children were having fun in the games, the parents were “stuck” in a small waiting area. Some of them brought books and laptops, most were bored. It was the best time to make friends. Parents were so happy to find other adults to talk to. Throughout the game, I bumped into a Councilmember, an agency president, an owner of a trading firm, and many more. There were no agenda. Dialogs usually began with common interest – the children and the game, then the jobs and everything else. And guess what? These parents would meet again very soon.

Indeed, the next day after the chess tournament, I met the Councilmember again in a different set up – a TV program premier. What a small world!

Last week, I took my daughters to a new ballet school for trial classes. To kill time, I introduced myself to several mothers, including a psychiatrist and a textile saleswoman. We talked about ballet, culture, travel, outsourcing, depression, and many more topics. Amazing!

I do not mean conversations at business events are less electrifying. They are just different. But one thing for sure – at least for me – is that I am more relaxed talking to parents than to business associates. So, while I am still trying to find way to stay connected with the people I meet at those business events, let me enjoy my chats with all those interesting parents.