We struggle with work. Did you see the now-famous essay by Dr. Anne-Marie Slaughter in The Atlantic this week?
Titled “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All”, Slaughter explores the dynamics of professional success for women who want to be at the top, the unfulfilled promise of feminism, the gulf between the attitudes of men and those of women, and suggests that young, ambitious women freeze their eggs in their 20s in case they work too hard and miss the window of opportunity on their fertility. I hope that contemporary society rests only a very short time on this lilly pad before moving forward, toward a more mindful, peaceful way of being in this world. But whatever trajectory evolves, it seems clear that to manage the rights and responsibilities of reaching our potential (professionally, creatively, culturally etc.), embracing agility and valuing flexibility are essential.
Even if it means change. Even if it means new rules or no rules. Even if it means you have to learn something new to make it work for you. Really work… not just, ‘I think I can survive this’ work.
It’s time. Do it.
It will be worth it.