I looked in the mirror this morning and this is what I saw; a very tired woman. Not unhappy, not yelling at the kids, but just plain tired. It’s not that I cannot do everything that needs to be done. I can, as long as I don’t sleep. But not sleeping leads to a very cranky version of myself that does not go over well with the rest of the family, so that’s not an option. I tell myself; “Fine, just eliminate items from your ‘to-do’ list.” But what can go? My daughter needs a costume for the talent show and I promised my other daughter that I would arrange a play date for her. I’ve got 3 new clients who I am excited about working with and I’m not going to give up the work I love. I want to get candy and cards for my family for Valentines Day. I want to sit down and have dinner with my children tonight. All of it is important… so what is a woman to do?

HONEY, GET HELP! Do you feel you have to do it all yourself? Sometimes I will think that if I give in and hire someone to help me, I’ve lost the battle. I want to believe I can bring home the bacon AND fry it up in a pan! Why? Cuz’ I’m a W O M A N? No, because I’m C R A Z Y!

So, what are the items on your list that you don’t have to do yourself? Can someone clean your house? Can someone pick up your kids from school? Can your older child help a younger child with homework? Can your husband pick up the dry cleaning on the way home? What are some small ways that you can get help, because honey, you need it! And you know what, your family needs you to get help also because if you are overwhelmed, you can’t really be with them in the way you want to be. What could be more important than that?

COACH ME QUICK TIPS FOR GETTING HELP:

1. Identify one or two things you do, that you don’t care about doing. Cleaning toilets, anyone?

2. Brainstorm some solutions with your family and ask them to help.

3. Look at your budget. Can you afford to spend some money each week to make life easier? What is 5 additional hours worth to you?

4. Notice if you are resisting getting help? Does having help make you less of a woman, mother or spouse? If so, it might be time to rethink thinking and get the help you need.

Author's Bio: 

Prior to becoming a coach, Ms. Tenzer worked as a talent executive and producer in the television industry. During those years, she found that one of the most meaningful aspects of her work was the opportunity to coach her team members and colleagues as they faced and overcame challenges in the workplace.

It was this enthusiasm for coaching that inspired her in 2001, to establish Life Works Coaching, a company dedicated to serving busy women.

Ms. Tenzer is a busy woman living in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.

Member: International Coaching Federation, Producers Guild of America, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.