Mom, Inc.: Get Organized!

Working moms; we think we're organized but most of us aren't. Do you have a place for everything in your house? What about the nagging tasks that float around in your head on your way to work. . .have a place for those? It doesn't stop. As a mom, you are constantly juggling and in order for you to be successful your juggling must stop. Now. Organization doesn't have to mean a $1500 charge at Hold Everything™. In fact, most of the things moms need to organize aren't necessarily tactile, which makes it even harder. It's the more complex task of sorting out errands, assignments due, work responsibilities and family obligations. You could really make big changes by doing one thing; yep, one thing. Write out "DO IT NOW" on a big piece of paper at work and place it somewhere you are always looking.

If you are a techy-gadget-loving mom like me, your iPad or iPhone pretty much rule the roost, and they also act as great distraction toys for your kid(s). I have tried many apps - such as "Intuition" which is built for moms. It got a thumbs down. I stick to the iCal and a program called Remember The Milk™. Even though I don't drink milk (we are vegan up in here) this program is really essential for working moms. Whether it's synching with your Outlook, Twitter, Gmail, Blackberry, Google or iPhone...you've got yourself beat with the best organizational tool on-the-run. Just start managing your tasks by signing up. It's totally free, efficiently wonderful and you can even sign in with your Google account.

Why is organization so important? Well, if you're this effective when you're head is clouded imagine how great your work and your family life will be once you've got a handle on everything. To be in control is to not be controlled; we all know that mommying is a full-time, doesn't-stop-for-anything role we assume with a smile on our face. However, much of our own life is uncontrollable: our kid(s) can get sick at any point, we can miss a night's sleep or a family vacation may go awry. In all of these situations it's most important to step back and really evaluate what it is you can control. Your newly found organizational skills is just one of your most effective and valued tools.

So what now? You're on the right path. Start by signing up for RTM. You will feel a weight lifted right off your chest as soon as you start typing in and managing your tasks. Next time we will talk about how you can relax without losing a moment of productivity or a moment with your child. Promise.

http://www.rememberthemilk.com

The Mom, Inc. Column on the Ladies Lotto Blog:

It's not enough to be a mom these days but now we run companies, develop ideas and rule the world! The Mom, Inc. weekly column offers Ladies Lotto's working moms a chance to learn, prosper in their careers and family life, and become more successful and productive. Meet the Blogger: Marissa Spano

Modern Mamahood: Behind the Mama - Part 2: Marissa Spano

Although many mothers best describe their role and day-to-day as "indescribable", Ladies Lotto Modern Mamahood is seeking to demystify what that means for different moms in an effort to create even more cohesion, compassion and connection within our LL community and beyond.

The Modern Mamahood "Behind the Mama" series will delve into the lives of our LLady moms. We're looking for answers to some of the questions many women without children seem to have and create even more community amongst us fruit-bearers.

In Part 2, I am going to share a great conversation with Ladies Lotto's very own media and branding master, Mayor Marissa Spano who has a sparkling 22-month old daughter, Isabella (both beauties are in the photo above). Listen in!

LLMM: Tell me about your offspring and how everything has been going as a mama?
Marissa: Isabella Skye dominates my world and I couldn't be happier with my chosen role. Watching her spirit grow and observing her as she chooses traits and moods is so inspiring. As a mother, I float in and out of thoughts from my own youth and faded memories of my mom who I lost at 15, so it's been a really spiritual journey...and my hardest job yet!

LLMM: Hardest job yet? I hear ya! What sticks out to you as being challenging about the role?
Marissa: The biggest challenge is balancing. It's creating a harmony between all the "hats" you wear and centering each moment around integrity, whether it's business or personal. The mommy hat is by far the most important to me so naturally, for other items to be of interest, they have to be truly special.

LLMM: And what other interests, professionally, do you spend your time on? Do they work well with the kind of fam-life you are wanting?
Marissa: Most of the work I do now consists of creating Brand Campaigns for companies. We work on interactive and multi-sensory campaigns which heavily rely on my creative input. Being on the computer 15hrs a day working on proposals has a down side. I am re-incorporating daily sun salutations and meditation which will only propel my personal success. I definitely feel like things are organically falling into place. I am literally growing with my daughter.

LLMM: That's amazing! It sounds like you are constantly striving for and achieving balance. How much would you say your lifestyle has changed since you entered motherhood (or pregnancy)?
Marissa: It definitely started at pregnancy! I have had to exist with less sleep and be more mindful of my body than ever before. My lifestyle has definitely taken a 180 degree turn! In my younger years, I was out each night at parties. Now, I am lucky if I get a babysitter for the International Emmy's this year. Even when I do go out now, part of me stays home with Bella! It's a challenge to ever be present when I am not around her...it's like you're always preoccupied with your child's well-being.

Peak-a-boo, Isabella!

LLMM: Do you ever have feelings of guilt turning down various functions, events or meetings?
Marissa: Hmmm, "guilt", no. The time I spend at home if not out is in our media room. It's all about knowing what's going on in the digital and TV worlds, so I invest myself into research when missing out on the fun stuff, well...researching is actually fun for me.

LLMM: Do you have any advice for women without children who are searching for the perfect time to have them?
Marissa: I think it's always the perfect time to have children because most women will never voluntarily say "this is the perfect time". It's the perfect time when they come...when they just kinda show up. Or if you want to get stoic about it...the perfect time is when you've reached a satisfying level in your career where you can pick back up in a couple of years, or maintain both from the get-go. It's also more importantly about finding the right partner to RAISE a child with, not just someone who you love.

LLMM: Okay last question! What are you and Isabella's top three favorite activities?
Marissa: 1.) Down Dog, 2.) Art, specifically drawing Elmo, 3.) Singing, she's mastered "Happy Bday" as of yesterday which was her daddy's bday.

More Marissa:
Marissa's other baby: www.soulspeekermedia.com
Follow and track on Twitter: www.twitter.com/soulmedia
Say 'what's up' on FB: www.facebook.com/soulspeekermedia
Email: getloudwithus@gmail.com

Also, check out Part 1 of "Behind the Mama" where I interview LL'a Melody Gross, mother of 2yr old Kamel and full-time Communications + Marketing Associate!

The Modern Mamahood Column on the Ladies Lotto Blog:

As our Ladies Lotto community grows and evolves, we now have quite a few mamas and mamas-to-be! The LL Modern Mamahood weekly column presents the issues and products related to being a Ladies Lotto Mama. Blogger: Lana Perry