I woke up before the sun that morning, the house still cloaked in silence. My family was asleep, and I had a rare moment to myself. I used this quiet time to center myself with my morning prayer, a ritual that always grounds me. Then, I moved on to my beauty routine—carefully applying makeup, styling my hair, and choosing the perfect outfit that would project confidence and authority.
I had an important appearance to make—a moment to step into the spotlight and deliver a message about leadership and empowerment. With my tiara on, both figuratively and literally, I was ready. I walked out, fully composed and radiating the polished confidence that my audience had come to expect from me.
But just a few hours later, my day took a different turn. I was back home, and the tiara was off. The makeup was wiped clean, and I had swapped my elegant outfit for a comfortable college shirt and track pants. No longer the public figure, I was just a mom, vibing to Gracie’s Corner with my babies, singing along to the playful tunes, fully present in the moment.
How did I transition from the poised, polished professional to the laid-back, makeup-free mom in a matter of hours? It all came down to overcoming the pressure of perfectionism, learning to pivot when needed, and managing my own expectations.
For a long time, I believed that success meant being perfect in every role I played. I thought I needed to maintain a certain image, uphold a level of productivity, and project a standard of “having it all together.” But that mindset only led to stress and burnout. The truth was, perfectionism was a trap—a never-ending cycle of trying to meet impossible standards that no one else was actually holding me to.
I realized that being present and authentic in each moment was far more valuable than chasing an unattainable ideal of perfection. It was okay to pivot between roles, to be both the leader and the mom, to show up as the confident professional and the nurturing parent.
Here’s what I learned:
1. Overcoming Perfectionism: I had to let go of the need to be perfect. Perfectionism was just a fancy word for fear—fear of not being enough, fear of failing, fear of judgment. But when I embraced my imperfections, I found freedom. I realized that I didn’t have to be perfect to be impactful; I just had to be present and genuine.
2. Learning to Pivot: Life was full of unexpected moments that required me to pivot. Being able to adapt and switch gears was a strength, not a weakness. That morning, I was in full leadership mode. By the afternoon, I was in full mommy mode. And that was okay. Each role was important, and each moment mattered.
3. Managing Personal Expectations: Setting realistic expectations for myself was key to managing stress and staying grounded. I understood that I couldn’t do it all, and that was perfectly fine. I learned to choose where to focus my energy based on what was most important in the moment and to delegate or ask for help when needed.
4. Being Fully Present: Whether I was in a boardroom or a playroom, I learned to be there—fully present. Engaging with those around me and experiencing life more fully. That day, I chose to be present with my kids, to enjoy a simple moment of singing and laughter. And it was just as fulfilling as any professional accomplishment.
At the end of the day, I was still me, no matter the role I was in. I learned to embrace every facet of who I was, to show up authentically in every space I occupied, and to find joy in the pivot from one role to another.
So, here’s my reminder to you: You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to choose between being one thing or another. You can be all the things that make you uniquely you. Wear the tiara when you need to lead, rock the track pants when you’re just being mom, and know that you are enough in every moment.
Life is about finding balance—not by doing it all perfectly, but by being present, adaptable, and true to yourself.
Ready to let go of perfection and embrace your authentic self? I’m here to help. Let’s navigate this journey together!
