Have you ever wondered how to balance personal growth with the demands of a busy professional life, especially as a mom? If so, you’re not alone.
I’m excited to bring you actionable insights and inspiration. I had the pleasure of chatting with the incredible Neeley Neal, a dynamic leader who deeply understands the intersection of personal and professional development.
The Power of Choice
Our conversation began with a powerful reminder from Neeley about the importance of having the freedom to make choices that truly resonate with our inner goals and aspirations. Neeley shared, “If you’re in a job you don’t like, and it’s a bad job, you still have a choice. You can leave. Maybe you can’t leave today, but you can create your plan and leave in the next six months. The company does not own you. We don’t live in those times anymore.”
Workshops for Personal and Professional Growth
Neeley also introduced us to her transformative workshops, which have typically been held with large corporate teams but are now open to smaller, curated groups of individuals looking for more. “These trainings will be virtual. In the spirit of agile, there is a loose agenda because part of what we’re doing is finding out where your personal edges are, what opportunities you have to grow and push your personal edges.”
These workshops emphasize leadership development with a focus on forming empowered relationships and teams built on trust. “Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum; you have to be engaged with other people if you really want to grow through your leadership and your greatness.”
The Importance of Retrospection
During our discussion, Neeley highlighted a key concept: retrospection. Even in non-agile corporations, after major projects, employee feedback is essential. Agile companies take this a step further with frequent retrospectives to drive rapid learning and innovation. Neeley believes this practice is crucial for personal development as well.
“You have to give yourself permission to have those moments of reflection, much like you would in a retrospective,” she said. Whether it’s assessing a work project or your personal journey, pausing to reflect can provide invaluable insights.
You are given a child for a reason and you are the perfect mother to your child.
Defining Success
When I asked about Neeley’s definition of success, her response was both profound and inspiring. “Success is holding a vision that aligns with you and walking in faith toward that highest goal, what I would call a calling on your life. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ever going to reach it because once you do, you’re presented with another step. There’s more for you. There’s more inside of you.”
For Neeley, staying aligned with her vision, especially during challenging times, is the true measure of success. “Success is being able to really strongly hold a vision and make just the next right move in alignment with that calling on your life.”
Conclusion
In reflecting on my conversation with Neeley Neal, it’s clear that growth, whether personal or professional, hinges on conscious choices and retrospective insights. Neeley’s philosophy underscores the importance of not only holding a clear vision but also continuously aligning our actions with that vision, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
By emphasizing the value of retrospection and the power of choice, Neeley offers a roadmap for navigating the challenges we all face, helping us to build empowered relationships and achieve a deeper sense of fulfillment. This journey of growth she describes is not a destination but a continuous process of becoming, evolving, and pushing our personal edges.
If you like more conversations about thriving and living fully as a working mom, check out my podcast, The Savvy Working Mom, on Spotify or anywhere you listen to your podcasts. We also talk a lot about prioritization, time management, how to be more fulfilled, and how to find peace in this overwhelming world we live in.
Don’t forget to sign up for my free resource library. You’ll get free printable worksheets, workbooks, and checklists to help with goal setting, time management, and self-care for busy moms.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, follow these 4 easy steps to find some peace: How To Get Unstuck.
