Work - Life Balance by Maznida Mokhtar

Work - Life Balance by Maznida Mokhtar

• 3.
  I started outmy work life with an accounting firm, working long hours but I was still single, so it did not really matter. I also knew that it was only temporary until I achieved the professional qualification, then I would go on to other things. So, after that I joined a merchant bank and got married a year later. That all went very well. The only snag then was the working hours – which I thought would be improved if I worked for myself. So, after a two-year slog in the merchant bank, I decided that was enough for me. Little did I know that as an entrepreneur, your hours are around the clock!
• 4.
  I can’t saythat I am happy or sad with the experiences but I feel it has enriched my life into encountering future challenges and also opened my eyes to the real world of business, which is an invaluable experience. Through SKALI, we had gone through roller coasters together, and survived those moments together also. Since then, I have now got 4 children, ranging from the age of 6 to 11 years, and I have learnt to multitask even better as a working mother.
• 5.
  Like many femaleentrepreneurs, I achieve work-life balance between my job and my demanding family, with the combination of a great family support network and a highly disciplined approach to leaving the office early in order to achieve a measure of work-life balance. Still, I admit that it took me awhile to find the right formula. After working for 20+ years now, I believe I’ve finally figured it out! My working routine now ensures I have time for everyone including myself. I try not to leave the office late, so that I have time to wind down before starting to monitor the children doing their homework. Sometimes there are meetings outside so I attend those but I usually get home by about 7.30. Then I start monitoring [the children] doing their homework. By the time I finish with them, it’s almost 10pm. Then I look at what else needs to be done or I’ll deal with work matters. And of course, give the husband time!
• 7.
  Some simple tipsthat I can share
• 8.
  Try not tobe the superwoman at home. In my case, I’ve been blessed as my 1 husband enjoys cooking and loves to cook in his free time! I’m happy to say that I don’t feel the need to compete with him in the kitchen.
• 9.
  There is alsono need to be a domestic goddess at home. If you can afford it, get some domestic 2 help in a maid, or daily cleaner. And if you are unable to do that, then not everything has to be perfectly shiny and spotless everyday.
• 10.
  Teach your childrento do things for themselves automatically, so that you only need to monitor 3 them and not do things for them, e.g. homework, clean up their rooms, make their beds, take the dishes to the kitchen after eating, etc.
• 11.
  Fit in someregular exercise time or recreational activity just to release stress and sweat it out. It 4 would be even better if it can be done as a family. For me, Sunday mornings is that time.
• 12.
  If necessary, sendto children over to parents’ houses for sleepover so that you can spend some alone time to bond with your spouse without the hassle of the children. Your parents would be 5 happy to spend some quality time with the grandchildren on their own, occasionally. If they are out of town, then arrange for them to have the children over a few days of the school holidays.
• 13.
  Once all theabove is sort of on autopilot, then you can arrange to meet other girlfriends-in-the- same-boat, for the occasional meal out, or just spend some retail therapy time together. Women 6 need this, to just talk about nothing and everything, and to see that other women are also just like you.
• 14.
  I hope youcan try these tips though I do realise not all of them are suitable for everyone. These have worked for me, and I believe, at lease 1 or 2, if not all, could help you out too.
• 15.
  Maznida Mokhtar [email protected] Chief Financial Officer, SKALI Group