If you’re a working mom, you know that balancing your career, your family, and everything in between can feel like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle. You’re expected to give your all at work, show up for your kids, maintain your relationships, and somehow find time for yourself—all without dropping a single thing.
Sounds impossible, right?
Well, in a recent podcast interview with Pam Nemic, I found some pretty eye-opening wisdom on how to actually make it all work (or at least not burn out in the process). Pam is a dynamic coach, speaker, and mom who’s been there, done that, and learned a whole lot along the way. From managing a demanding career to raising a family as a single mom and navigating a career pivot, Pam shares actionable insights and real talk about how to make life as a working mom not only manageable—but truly fulfilling.
Let’s dive in and take a look at the key takeaways from my conversation with Pam. Spoiler: you won’t want to miss these nuggets of wisdom!
1. The Importance of a Support System: It Takes a Village
One of the most important pieces of advice Pam offers is that you don’t have to do it alone. It’s easy to get caught up in the “I should be able to do everything myself” mentality. But as Pam so candidly shared, having a strong support system—whether it’s friends, family, or other working moms—is key to staying sane.
Pam faced a major challenge when she moved to a new town and found herself without a built-in support system. Her family lived far away, and her friends were scattered across different cities. It was tough. But Pam quickly realized that the key to surviving—and thriving—was to build a community of women who understood her struggles, who could be there for her when needed.
This means being intentional about connecting with others, especially other moms and women who get it. Whether it’s a local mom’s group or networking with other career-focused women, creating meaningful relationships where you can lean on each other is crucial.
2. Being Present: Quality Over Quantity
As working moms, we often feel the pressure to be “everywhere” all the time. We want to be present at work, present with our families, and somehow still manage to be present for ourselves. But as Pam wisely points out, trying to give 100% to everything all at once is not only unrealistic—it’s a recipe for burnout.
Pam shares that one of the game-changers for her was focusing on quality over quantity. Rather than splitting her attention between a work call and making dinner, she learned to be fully present in the moment. When she was home with her kids, she gave them 100% of her attention. When she was at work, she focused on her career. And if something urgent came up with her kids while at work, she didn’t hesitate to step away for a minute to take care of it.
It’s about creating harmony in your life, not chasing an unattainable “balance.” As Pam says, if you’re where you’re supposed to be, give it your all—whether that’s at work, with your kids, or even a quick networking lunch that takes you outside your comfort zone.
3. Embrace Vulnerability and Take Risks
One of the most powerful themes in the conversation was the idea of embracing vulnerability. As Pam shared, she’s not exactly a fan of small talk or traditional networking events. But when she transitioned to her new entrepreneurial career, she had to push herself outside her comfort zone.
This meant saying “yes” to opportunities—even when they made her nervous. It meant reaching out to former colleagues or acquaintances on LinkedIn and reconnecting for a quick Zoom call.
Pam’s story is a reminder that vulnerability is not a weakness—it’s a strength. The willingness to put yourself out there, whether in your personal or professional life, often leads to unexpected and rewarding connections.
Making friends as an adult is one of the hardest things to do.
4. Defining Success on Your Own Terms
If there’s one thing I took away from Pam’s journey, it’s that success looks different for everyone—and it’s not about chasing a title or some cookie-cutter ideal. Success, for Pam, has always been about aligning her career with her personal values and making sure her family remained a priority.
Pam left a 20-year corporate career to pursue entrepreneurship because she wanted a career that allowed her more flexibility and time with her family. But here’s the kicker: while titles came and went, what really mattered to her was how she showed up every day—for her team, her kids, and herself.
Success, as Pam defines it, is about making a difference in the world while staying true to who you are. It’s about being able to lay your head down at night and feel good about the choices you made throughout the day.
5. The Power of Saying Yes
Pam’s advice on embracing new opportunities and saying “yes” is something we can all relate to. As working moms, we often find ourselves saying “no” out of fear of overcommitting or spreading ourselves too thin. But Pam’s experience shows us that sometimes, saying “yes” to that new connection or opportunity can lead to amazing results.
Whether it’s meeting new people, taking on a new project at work, or simply stepping outside your comfort zone, saying “yes” can lead to growth. Pam’s story of reconnecting with a former colleague, even after years of not staying in touch, is a perfect example of how meaningful connections can come from simply taking that first step.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Eye on the Prize
Pam’s story is an inspiring reminder that we’re all in this together. Whether you’re balancing work and motherhood, navigating personal challenges, or trying to carve out time for yourself, the key is to focus on what truly matters. For Pam, it’s the relationships she’s built—both with her kids and the people who have supported her along the way.
Success isn’t about perfection—it’s about finding harmony and being present in the moments that matter most.
As Pam said, “Figure out what your prize is.” For Pam, her prize was a fulfilling career and a deep, lasting relationship with her kids. So, whether you’re chasing career milestones, personal growth, or quality family time, the most important thing is that you’re pursuing your own version of success.
If you’re ready to redefine what success means for you, take a page out of Pam’s book: lean into vulnerability, embrace the messiness of life, and don’t be afraid to build your own support system.
Trust me, you got this.
Want to hear more of Pam’s wisdom? Check out the full podcast episode where we dive even deeper into these life-changing insights. And don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes packed with tips, inspiration, and real talk for working moms like you!
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