From the outside, it seems like Sharifa Murdock does it all—being the Chief Impact Officer at Kith, the founder of ENVSN Festival, a mentor, and a supporter of numerous causes while being a loving mother to a two year old boy. In this episode of The New Modern Mom Podcast, host Barbara Mighdoll sits down with Sharifa to find out how the heck she does it behind the scenes. Sharifa shares her journey of embracing the transformation that comes with motherhood, revealing how she maintains confidence and balance.
Sharifa candidly discusses her daily routine, from her early 4 AM starts to her meticulous organization of her son’s schedule. She also delves into the importance of her support system. As a powerhouse in the business world and a dedicated mom, Sharifa's candid insights and strategies offer invaluable guidance for finding confidence amidst the chaos.
🔍 Discovering True Self-Identity
Motherhood has a profound impact on self-identity, and Sharifa emphasizes how it has redefined her values. This journey of self-discovery has helped her embrace her authentic self and prioritize what truly matters.
“Having a child will really and truly set your tone. It will really and truly confirm and validate the type of person you are.”
👨👩👧👦 Building a Reliable Support System
Sharifa highlights the critical role of her support network, particularly her sister-in-law’s daycare. This reliable support system ensures that her child is well cared for, allowing her to focus on her career and other responsibilities.
“It's so funny when you say it takes a village because I remember being younger and being like come on now. Right now that I have a child I am leaning on the village in a big way. I'm fortunate enough that my sister-in-law owns a daycare in Brooklyn elite prep. She is like a godsend.”
📝 Mastering Delegation
Effective delegation is key to managing a busy schedule, and Sharifa has mastered this skill. By preparing meticulously, she ensures her child's needs are met while maintaining her own standards.
“I make sure that I package things in the way that I want. So for instance, if I'm gonna pack him lunch, I'll pack apples and I'll pack some vegetables. Just things that I would like him to eat nutritionally even when I'm bringing him with his clothing I have bags in order with labels on it.”
📅 Creating a Structured Daily Routine
Sharifa’s disciplined daily schedule is crucial for balancing her responsibilities. This routine allows her to incorporate personal time, professional duties, and quality family moments seamlessly into her day.
“I get up at 4 AM every morning. If I'm able to pack legend stuff like let's say it's a Monday. Mondays are my favorite day because it's like you get to start all over. So on Sunday, I'll be to pack legend's clothes for the week.”
💆♀️ Prioritizing Self-Care Consistently
Self-care is non-negotiable for Sharifa. Regular self-care activities help her stay grounded and rejuvenated.
“I'm a consistent person. I'm all about consistency. So before I had my son, I was getting my nails done. One thing I do not neglect is me.”
🚫 Setting Boundaries and Saying No
Setting boundaries is essential to Sharifa's strategy for maintaining focus. By confidently saying no to non-priority activities, she ensures her time and energy are spent on what truly matters.
“I say I'm so sorry. I would love to be there, but I can't. I also take the onus off of me and I then congratulate them on what they're doing. And that's I feel more comfortable because it's not like I have a negative intent not to come.”
🗣️ Transparent Communication in the Workplace
Sharifa underscores the importance of transparency with her team, especially during her maternity leave. This approach fosters a positive and supportive work environment.
“I was definitely very transparent with my team. I think being transparent with your company and your team is super important. I think that they were very understanding of my situation particularly. And I wanted to make sure my team was prepared enough that they could handle the job without me being here.”
💖 Empathy as a Superpower
Empathy is a cornerstone of Sharifa's professional and personal life. This quality enables her to connect deeply with colleagues and family members, enriching her interactions and leadership.
“I am the type of person that will listen. I'm the type of person that would try to help in any way possible. I'm a very empathetic person and it has worked in my professional life because I get to know people. I get to know the people I'm working with and they appreciate that.”
Sharifa is an inspiring role model for anyone looking to fill their life with passion, purpose, and presence. Tune in to hear her wisdom, tools, and systems for achieving work-life fulfillment.
Listen to the episode
Want bonus tools and takeaways?
Connect with Sharifa on LinkedIn or Instagram. Also subscribe to the newsletter here.
Rather read the full interview than listen?
[00:00:00] You know, the dream of having it all a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids in adventures and travel, but how the F can we actually do it all? Welcome to the new modern mom podcast. I'm your host, Barbara Migdal, a former tech exec turned entrepreneur and mother of two. My superpower is creating order out of chaos, and I want to help ambitious moms feel enabled to do the same.
[00:00:27] In each episode, I'm interviewing VPs, C level executives, and founders to learn the real proven strategies they use to find work life fulfillment. Together, we're building the playbook for the new modern mom.
[00:00:41] Hi, everyone. Today's guest is Sharifa Murdock. The chief impact officer of Kith co-founder of envision and mom to a little two year old boy.
[00:00:51] Sharifa is one of those people that from the outside in looks like she does not stop. She is confident. She is stylish. She is [00:01:00] always on the go. She has this incredibly supportive community and really is a leader in inspiration for so many women. So I had to know how does Sharifa do it all? We're talking systems how to say no.
[00:01:14] And how to find work that is meaningful. This conversation feels like a chat with your best friend. Not only are you just going to enjoy it? I know you're going to take away some tips to incorporate into your daily lives. Are you ready?
[00:01:26] Welcome Sharifa. I'm so excited to have you here today. Ah, thank you so much. I'm excited to be here. Well, so for our listeners, Sharifa and I had the chance to connect a couple of months ago on a call and I was immediately captivated by her aura of positivity and confidence. But beyond that, I was impressed with the passionate work she's doing across so many fronts.
[00:01:50] So Sharifa, I'm so excited to chat with you today about what we have to do in order to cut through the chaos and find purpose while navigating motherhood and [00:02:00] career. You are a mom to a one year old, almost two year old, and you are the chief impact officer at Kith. You are the CEO of Envision. You are also a mentor, and you're working across so many impactful initiatives.
[00:02:15] So can you set the stage for what life looks like at the present moment? Life is always on the go. Life is a constant state of what's next, and it's fun. I'm honestly just enjoying it and taking everything in. I'm very grateful for the position I've been placed in, so as chaotic as it may seem to others, it's my norm.
[00:02:38] And so as a very busy woman, always on the go, and a mother, It takes a village is not just a saying, right? It's a necessity. So what does your village look like? It's so funny when you say it takes a village because I remember being younger and being like, come on now, right? Now that I have a child, I am [00:03:00] leaning on the village in a big way.
[00:03:02] I'm fortunate enough that my sister in law owns a daycare in Brooklyn, Elite Prep. She is like a godsend. So I've been able to, Leave my son with someone that I can trust and know that he'll be well taken care of just as I would take care of Him or his father would take care of him and then I lean on of course like my family members my sister But the biggest flex is always having my sister in law's daycare because you know being a new mom You're leaving your child in the care of someone that you don't know many of us, right?
[00:03:31] And it's a scary feeling but Just knowing that they're with someone that You You can trust and you know, you could get a call from, and I get pictures of these monumental moments that I am missing that to me, I mean, I'm so grateful. So my mom tribe is so amazing. My friends, the godparents, the non godparents to my son, they're just all like wanting to help.
[00:03:54] And it's just a good space to be in because I know a lot of parents that don't have that support. Exactly. And I [00:04:00] mean, having a family member who owns a daycare, I cannot imagine a more ideal scenario. And that's incredible that you have that instant built in trust with where you're leaving your child behind while you're doing all this other important work.
[00:04:12] I think, One of the challenges a lot of moms face right when it comes to whether it's child care or other kind of support systems around them is letting go of wanting to do the job themselves. And I'm curious if you found ways that you've effectively delegated it. To your standards. Oh, definitely. So it's really interesting because as a new mom, you would be so protective, right?
[00:04:37] You're that mom. That's like, I only want him to eat this or them to eat that. And it's like, at the end of the day, my husband says it better. You're never going to know what he's allergic to. You're not giving him things, but I make sure that I package things in the way that I want. So for instance, if I'm going to pack him lunch, I'll pack apples and I'll pack some vegetables, like just things that I would like him to eat [00:05:00] nutritionally.
[00:05:01] Even when I'm bringing this clothing, I have bags in order with labels on it. So it would be like, Friday in the morning, Friday in the afternoon, just in case something happens. I leave it everywhere because I just find it to be easier for the person that's taking care of your child. They don't have to think about, Oh, what do I put on the kid?
[00:05:17] Or, you know what I have to do. So those are the ways that I kind of incorporate my way of being a mom to the person that I'm handing my child over to. Yeah, always being prepared and kind of having that organized lifestyle. I always thought that I was like the most organized person. Having a child will really and truly set your tone.
[00:05:36] It will really and truly confirm and validate the type of person you are. Absolutely. I mean, I think there's nothing that shows that you don't have control over things than introducing a child into your life. And it really does. I mean, for me personally, I feel like I discovered my true authentic self after becoming a mom because it did make me really think about like, what do I value?
[00:05:58] What do I not value? So I [00:06:00] agree. Yes, I am the same way. I mean, there's so many ways that you can talk about value, right? Like yesterday I went to the museum and I took my son and of course, you have to always be prepared. Of course he's running around the museum and he spills something on his shirt. You always have to like whip out something that.
[00:06:16] Where you can make sure he's always clean. There's always a next what's going on next. You have to be prepared two steps down the line. Yeah. I mean, I think when you talk about the mental load of motherhood, it's like always being prepared for two steps ahead. You know, you mentioned you're always on the go.
[00:06:30] So talk to me about like. Just like the little day to day household things, right? Like, if you're always on the go, like, who's prepping meals for you? Like, who's watering your houseplants? Who does the laundry? Oh, my God. So, again, I'm fortunate. My husband is a chef, and he preps all my meals for what I need for the week.
[00:06:49] And I know my schedule and what I have going on for that week. And I'm able to know if I have a lunch meeting, then he doesn't need to prep me lunch, right? Um, and, um, My plants are always in need [00:07:00] of water. My father in law recently was at the house, and my plants thrive when he's there. They're, like, growing, they're blooming.
[00:07:06] As soon as he leaves, they're, like, What's going on here? You know, there's just certain things you're going to miss. Laundry, I do it. I do it in a slow mo and I do it daily. What I've learned to do is do laundry daily, at least put one load in, that way it's not piled up at the end. If anyone else has this struggle, it's not about doing the laundry.
[00:07:26] It's about putting the laundry away. That's the key that you have to master. And I'm still on that struggle mode. I will do it to the laundry and it'll just sit there. Yeah, I'm currently beyond my computer staring at like three piles of laundry. So like I can't take a photo of myself in my house without there being laundry in the background.
[00:07:43] So I agree. I just wish it would magically go away. So you mentioned earlier, you kind of have this saying around setting the tone for your life and that resonates with me. So much. And I know it would resonate probably with all of our listeners, right? Because in terms [00:08:00] of like control and planning and being strategic as women, who don't want to have any regrets about the way that we're living our lives from being present as moms and within, you know, growing in our careers, I would love to know how that kind of shows up in your everyday life.
[00:08:15] Like, how are you structuring your days and weeks and months to make sure you are accomplishing what you want in your life? I'm a list maker. I'm one of those girls that write everything down and I'm an old school person. Like I love beautiful pens. I love to make lists and I put them in order of what's important.
[00:08:31] I try to like not overwhelm myself with long lists and put them in like every five, five things that I can do. I think that's something that's super important. So many times we're so hard on ourselves about things that we did not do. And I think that being able to have that list in front of you. And even if you check off three things off that five lists, That's where you're golden.
[00:08:53] I'm a firm believer, especially being a new mom that you got to give yourself some grace. I've seen it like as the new mom [00:09:00] today and watching all my friends and watching people that I know be so hard on themselves sometimes about what they're not doing. Let's clap about what we are doing and like what we're doing well.
[00:09:10] People don't understand until they're in a position because I didn't understand. I didn't know what it was. I was like, Oh, they're making a big deal out of it. It's like, yeah, make a big deal out of it. You know how many things we have to go through in one day? You know, like I want people to start to look at being a mom as not just being a mom, but being in a mom that feels good about what they're getting accomplished.
[00:09:29] And I think that creating a small list for yourself, and even if you don't get through the five core things that you want to do, make sure that you add those two to next day and clap yourself up when you do those two. As well. Cheer for yourself before anyone can cheer for you. Like, do you think it's so easy to get down on yourself, right, when you're like, I have a thousand and one things to do.
[00:09:50] Of course. And I only got ten of them done. And you're not celebrating, like, the ten things that you did get done amidst the chaos that you have. And for me, I [00:10:00] always kind of structure my weeks of, like, what are, like, the three big things. Focuses I want to have. And like, at the end of the day, if those get accomplished at the end of the week, like that's all that matters.
[00:10:09] The other stuff it'll come, it'll get rolled over, but you have to be realistic with your bandwidth. And I also think having a supportive partner is important and really talking things through, like when you are struggling as a new mom, say that. I think once you open up and you're more vulnerable with your partner or whomever, I think that it will be more comfortable for you to not have that list as heavy on yourself.
[00:10:34] My husband is like, babe, it's all right. You didn't do it. It's okay. And I feel better when I have that. It's validating because I think, again, we see a lot of things that maybe other people don't, right? And so if you don't do something, that's really you who doesn't know, right? Nobody else is going to notice.
[00:10:51] Nobody else knows. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah. And so, you know, in our previous chat, you talked to me about how regimented of a [00:11:00] person you are when it comes to your schedule. And I would love if you can share a little bit about what your kind of daily schedule looks like. Thank you. Whoa, people are going to think I'm crazy.
[00:11:09] I get up at 4 a. m. every morning. If I'm able to pack legends stuff, like let's say it's a Monday. Mondays is my favorite day because it's like you get to start all over, right? So on Sunday I'll be able to pack legends clothes for the week, meaning like Mondays outfits, Tuesdays, and then that way it's easier for me to get them dressed.
[00:11:26] I get my stuff together in the morning. So I get my, my workout clothes on, I get all my stuff together and by 4 30 I'm putting legends clothes on and by five o'clock we're out the house. Legend may be up. He may be sleeping. He's normally up and he wakes up with such the good mood and he's smiling and he's happy.
[00:11:43] So I think we have a good, uh, repertoire with our morning routine. And then I head to the daycare. I drop him off by 6, 6 30. And then I head to the gym and that seven to like nine time is my time. A lot of people aren't calling except for my mom who calls every morning at [00:12:00] the same time, just to say good morning, which I love.
[00:12:03] And I'm able to work out and have a focus. And then I get dressed and I come upstairs. And once I get dressed and I'm in the office, it's phone calls, it's meetings, it's a schedule, it's ongoing, right? So even if I was to leave my office and I have a meeting outside, there's a meeting in between. The destination.
[00:12:21] So I'm on the phone all the time, just trying to make things easier for myself too. And then there's a cutoff. So I try to cut off at six o'clock sometimes. And if I get off a little bit early, I'll get legend just so my husband, doesn't have to do it. But if I don't, I'll go straight home. Gives me enough time to have a little bit of Sharifa downtime, get a nice shower, get more organized for the next day.
[00:12:42] And I'm in bed by 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock. Okay, that was going to be my question, is what time are you going to bed if you're waking up that early? Everyone's like, you're insane, but that's just how my body moves. To be honest with you, I wake up naturally at 4 o'clock. It's the most insane thing. I have an alarm clock set, and I always get [00:13:00] up before the alarm clock.
[00:13:01] That's incredible. I mean, you're truly maximizing the time in your day. And it sounds like you have everything scheduled a little bit in, like you said, like if you're commuting somewhere, you're on a phone call. I actually, I think the first time we chatted, like you were commuting somewhere, which I think is amazing because you're truly maximizing every hour within the day to get everything done that's on your plate.
[00:13:21] And you mentioned, you know, you go to the gym. What other things do you do to fill your cup? I'm a consistent person. I'm all about consistency. So before I had my son, I was getting my nails done. I, one thing I do not neglect is me. So my nails, my hair, massages, those are the three main things that are important to me, especially after having a baby, your back has a lot of issues.
[00:13:44] So I have a monthly subscription to a massage place where I at least get a massage once a month. And if not, I'm getting it twice. So I'm like obsessed with massages. Those are my times. Those are the things that I do for myself. And because I'm consistent, it didn't stop once I had my [00:14:00] son. That's amazing.
[00:14:01] And so you're finding time for yourself and your daily schedule. You're finding like that precious time with your son. It sounds like your kind of commute into the city or Brooklyn is like this bonding time for you. When are you finding time for you and your husband? And listen, I'm going to be honest with you.
[00:14:15] It's hard. We're about to be two years in and I looked at him the other day and I was like, we need a date night. Like we do things with couples and stuff like that. But sometimes I need time with you alone. So we have to like really plan it. And of course I told you I got a God sent my sister in law. I was like, don't worry, I'll keep your son.
[00:14:33] So we're now like, Hey, let's do a date night. Yesterday he had something medicated, but I wanted to make sure I was there to support him. So that's our little bonding time. But we're both tired. Parents are tired. Right. All parents are tired, but we're making time for ourselves. That's good. And what about weekends?
[00:14:49] Like, you know, your life seems very scheduled, right? Like, do you have any spontaneity? Is that your weekend time? Weekend time. So, for instance, we just put Legend in swimming [00:15:00] class Saturday morning. It also helps us as well, because Saturday morning we get to swim. sleep in, which is a seven o'clock wake up.
[00:15:06] We get legend to swim class. I'm in the pool with him. My husband's there watching. And then we have brunch. So once we put them in some class, we'll do like a family brunch. So we'll eat breakfast together. And then it depends on what it is. We'll either meet up with our other families and go to like a playdate or a party, or Or we'll just definitely take a ride out.
[00:15:25] We find other places to go, but we spend time as a family together. That's like my number one priority, especially on the weekend. Like if someone was to invite me to something, it makes me pick and choose on what, and I have a conversation about it before we even make the decision on if we can go or not.
[00:15:40] Yeah. And on the topic of saying no, I think that is such. an important skill to have, right? Especially when you have so many competing priorities across business deadlines, swim class, birthday parties, date nights. How have you created more boundaries and ultimately come to terms with saying [00:16:00] no? You know, it's really interesting how I say no is Is more of a apology.
[00:16:07] First, I say, I'm so sorry. I would love to be there, but I can't. I also take the onus off of me and I then congratulate them on what they're doing. And that's how I feel more comfortable. Cause it's not like I have a negative intent not to come. I just can't come because I have a priority that is a higher responsibility, which is my child.
[00:16:25] And I think that people who know me know that if I was there, I would want to support them. And people always are like, don't worry. We understand. And I think it takes the onus off of you as an individual as well. If you already know that you're going into this conversation with positive intent, in no way, shape or form am I trying not to go to the event because I just don't want to go.
[00:16:46] I'm not going because I can't go. And I think that's how you say no to people and you feel comfortable with saying no. And I'm sure though, So oftentimes like what you're getting invited to or offers and opportunities in front of you, right? Like they may seem like a [00:17:00] priority or maybe they're conflicting priorities.
[00:17:02] And so do you kind of have like this decision making framework that you kind of talk yourself through to decide how do you make that decision? I have these conversations with myself all the time. It needs to bring me value. It has to be a value to me and not a financial value because that does not matter.
[00:17:18] It's more of a value of. What am I going to learn from this? Am I going to take anything from this? I want to go to places where I'm only expanding my mind and meeting new people. If it's the same routine and the same thing, and just to hang out, I just don't have time for that anymore. So it has to be a value for me to be able to really go.
[00:17:36] And I honestly don't give myself a guilt trip about it because I know what my intent is. So you're confident in that, yeah. And in the beginning, you do have that guilt, right? But I do think as the child gets older and as you start to recognize yourself again, because there is this transformation when you become a mom, it's like, who am I?
[00:17:55] And I think not too many people speak about that. And you don't have anyone to really talk to, even though you have your [00:18:00] mommy groups, but you as an individual have to pay attention to who you have now become. The person who you was is not who you are today. And it's okay to give yourself a little bit of grace.
[00:18:11] In the beginning, you'll have this battle with it. But I think eventually, if you start talking to yourself in your mind and really having those conversations, you know who you are becoming. And it's a beautiful thing to see. Yeah. The process of self discovery, I think it's a lengthy one after becoming a mom.
[00:18:27] It's not just like, Oh, you're going to figure it out in the first year. It can take years. It's not easy at all. Like I know friends that had struggled and I honestly believe it's also an age thing. I am an older mom and I'm a very proud older mom. I always say I don't have FOMO. I kind of did everything that I wanted to do at that moment, right?
[00:18:47] Anything else is extra. So like I don't have that FOMO that a lot of people will have going into being a mom. I wanted it for so long. I have no right to feel any way other than how I feel. [00:19:00] That's your perspective, right? Because you feel confident in the decisions that you made in your past. You feel confident in your decisions that you're making moving forward with that mindset.
[00:19:09] I want to pivot actually back to this idea of becoming a mom. Part of like a fundamental shift. After you become a mom is that return to work period. I think a lot of emotions are involved in it. Even just the decision around how you treat your maternity leave. And I love that you as a C level executive did take maternity leave.
[00:19:29] And so I'd love if you can talk to me about how you prepared to take maternity leave. Like how did you build kind of that transition plan to make sure that your responsibilities would be covered so you felt confident being able to leave? I was definitely very transparent with my team. I think being transparent with your company and your team is super important.
[00:19:48] I think that they were very understanding on my situation particularly. And I wanted to make sure my team was prepared enough that they could handle the job without me being here. And they did such a great job. [00:20:00] Like they understood and we had meetings and we had like what it's, and this is what the next X amount of time is going to look like.
[00:20:07] And just being able to transition back. It was a beautiful moment for me. Seriously. I think it's about being transparent and honest up front. That way you're able to get what you need to get done at the end. Well, on the topic of returning to work, then, you know, a lot of our listeners I think realize when they finally do return to work that they're not feeling fulfilled in their careers.
[00:20:28] Going back to that idea of like knowing themselves, discovering themselves in this process. And I think a lot of people now who are listening may be on that path of navigating how to pursue like a non linear career jump, or maybe they've gained more confidence and they're looking even for more.
[00:20:47] Challenge, and they want to level up in their careers. And something I so respect about you is you have had kind of like this nonlinear career track, and I'd love to dig in and understand that a little bit more. Can you kind of talk me [00:21:00] through like, what were the stages you see in your career and how professional development kind of evolved as you grew in your career?
[00:21:08] Of course, first stage is mentorship. I had an amazing mentor. I had someone that pushed me and developed me into who I am today as a career woman. So being able to transition from one extreme, which is trade shows, right? To now philanthropic efforts. It was an easier transition for me just because philanthropic efforts was always in my blood.
[00:21:29] It's something I would do regardless, you know, during COVID we weren't able to do events. So I wasn't able to do trade shows anymore, but having conversations with Ronnie. From prior years had really helped me understand what I wanted to do with my life going forward and being able to come to this company.
[00:21:46] And me and Ronnie had been speaking about Kith and their philanthropy and what he wanted to build. So it was just about timing. It was about really understanding and having those upfront conversations. I think a lot of times people don't look at [00:22:00] the conversations that they had. Five years down the line, it might play a big part in what you are doing today.
[00:22:06] And that was my transition. I was able to transition because I've had those conversations with Ronnie and he also knew what I love to do. So what ended up happening was our passions collided at the right time. When I talk to a lot of new moms and they want to transition, I think it's important first to really understand what is it that you love doing?
[00:22:26] And some people out there don't know what they love to do, but what do you like to do? And I think that's the first form of developing this new way of being. Because when you come out of pregnancy and got to go back to work, a lot of times you go back to work and you're like, I am not fulfilled. You have more purpose.
[00:22:44] And I was fortunate enough that the purpose that I was serving while I was on maternity leave is the same purpose that I'm serving today. And I was fortunate enough to have that. Some people don't. So what I will suggest for new moms or even pregnant moms today is really start to understand who [00:23:00] you are becoming as a mom.
[00:23:01] Right. And it can be anything. The best part about living in the world today is that you can do whatever it is you want to do. And I know everyone's going to be on there like, Oh, you need to have money and you need to do this, but preparation is King, right? So while you're sitting down and you're understanding what you're about to develop, You're also developing who you are becoming as a new mom, and I want people to remember that.
[00:23:25] Absolutely. I think the first step is always the hardest, but just writing it down, right? I wish. I'm going to make a notebook for everyone, but I want a new notebook and it's just like set your tone. And this is going to be for new moms that people can get this notebook and just journal because my best friend bought me a journal for Christmas and I've been able to write my thoughts down because sometimes we overthink.
[00:23:46] You go through so many different emotions as a mom. Right. I started to journal and I started to take things more slower just because my life is sometimes so fast paced. Sometimes I need to sit and really and truly just understand where I [00:24:00] am as a person. Even beyond motherhood. Right. I mean, you as an executive and a lot of our listeners are women who manage teams or in executive positions, like we are valued for our time and for our minds.
[00:24:13] Right. And if we don't have the mental clarity, then we're really not. coming to work as our best selves. And so I do think like the idea that you just said that I want to underscore is slow down, right? Slow down. So you have to slow down and again, take time for yourself. You don't have to get your nails done.
[00:24:31] You don't got to spend money, sit down in a space by yourself, go have a cup of coffee in a coffee shop, slow down. And I had to learn that just so you understand, cause I was running. And I was running at top speed. And what happened was, as I became a mom, I thought I could run at the same speed. I had to slow down, which I'm in the process of doing and learning every day.
[00:24:51] Absolutely. And, and I think on a similar note of kind of how we show up to work and make the best use [00:25:00] of our own skill sets. I think so many pregnant moms, new moms, when they return to work, they're worried about the perception of, you know, Going from like career women to working mom and I'm curious how you think becoming a mom has actually made you better at your job It's made me more secure, to be honest with you.
[00:25:19] I, you are a thousand percent right. There is so many misconceptions about when you come in, how are they going to perceive you? It's all in here, right? I always say, go into things with positive intent and they will treat you as thus. I work with all men here. They all understood. They all understood. They were happy for me.
[00:25:39] They championed me on. Right. And I think that's why it goes into being transparent, having real conversations. Right. Cause everyone is making assumptions and they're not really having those conversations. So I think having those conversations with the people that you work with, if you feel comfortable and having it with your boss or whoever you're needing to have those [00:26:00] conversations with, I think are super important.
[00:26:02] It helped me during my process. So that's why I would say to be open. And I think it is a learned skill, transparency in the workplace, right? It kind of goes back to feeling confident and being able to be authentic. And I think a lot of, again, a lot of people before having kids, like they build up this really large professional persona and then motherhood kind of forces you to reconcile with perhaps those discrepancies between who you want to be in this professional persona you've developed.
[00:26:30] And I think the only way we can get ahead in our careers, right. Is by showing. Our authentic selves and really leaning into that. What would you say is your professional superpower that has shown up in your personal and family life? Oh, my God. My number one superpower is having empathy. Empathy is super important to me.
[00:26:50] I am the type of person that will listen. I'm the type of person that would try to help in any way possible. I'm a very empathetic person and it has worked in [00:27:00] my professional life because I get to know people. I get to know the people I'm working with and they appreciate that and it shows up in my personal life because I'm able to really relate to my family and understand like when I can't do something, it's okay.
[00:27:14] You know, I think having empathy for people is a skill, but it's an important skill to have. I think empathy as well is something that you can really lean into when you become a mom, because you realize there's so many other perspectives out there when it comes to everything, how you raise your kids, how you approach work, how you split your time.
[00:27:35] I think a lot of times, I'm telling you, before I became a mom, you couldn't tell me anything. I knew it all. Now I have so much empathy for other moms. I call my friends and I'm like, how did you do it? And it's just always good to have those types of conversations because they give you gems and nuggets. I have a girlfriend, her name is Tamara.
[00:27:52] She has helped me in so many big ways. My sister, she has three sons. She's helped me in her way. My best friend, Amanda. I mean, they all have had [00:28:00] a part in who I am. becoming as a mom. So, you know, I shout out to all of them as well, because they have done it and they have seen it. And I learned something new every day.
[00:28:10] Absolutely. Sharifa, how can our listeners connect with you after this episode? Oh, definitely on Instagram at Sharifa says, or connect by kid. That's where you can find me. I really enjoyed our conversation today. So many nuggets of wisdom in here. Thank you for your time. Oh, thank you so much.
[00:28:27] Thanks for listening to this episode of the new modern mom podcast. I hope you can use the story shared today to simplify the chaos of career and motherhood. If you like what you heard, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast. Give us a five star rating and leave a review. Please connect with me on LinkedIn and follow new modern mom on Instagram.
[00:28:47] I know you're busy and I so appreciate your support for my mission to help more moms find work life fulfillment. And I have good news. The playbook doesn't end here. To get bonus strategies, tools, and takeaways from [00:29:00] this guest, sign up for my newsletter at NewModernMom. com backslash subscribe. I promise you'll be filing this under a must read.
Author
