A co-worker recently asked me if I was going to go for a big promotion. Her job became open after being promoted to an executive. The open position, the assistant vice president, manages a team, balances the budget, and is responsible for overseeing $13 million in revenue on an annual basis. Me? I was extremely flattered at his suggestion, but also completely flabbergasted. Being a fulltime working mom with two kids under five, it is a mini miracle I make it in to work every day. Doesn’t he know, I am a complete mess?
Every morning is a chaotic swirl of getting the kids dressed, making breakfast, and attempting to find clean clothes for myself. My husband takes the kids to school (thanks honey!), while I commute nearly an hour to work. You would think we would have some systems to make each morning run more smoothly, but each day I make it out of the house still feels like a huge accomplishment. This is my actual thought process of my drive to work this morning.
I’m in the car, only running about 20 minutes late. It’s going to be a great day.
Did I brush my teeth?
I think I forgot to brush my teeth. Too late to stop for a toothbrush.
Is that a booger on my shirt?
That is definitely a booger. It’s about the right height of my son who was rubbing his face on me. I thought it was a loving gesture. I’ll just tell my co-workers it’s toothpaste and then they will think I brushed my teeth like a normal person.
I forgot my coffee.
I will get to work and approximately thirty minutes after my first sip, I can talk to other humans. Then they will think I just have coffee breath and not morning breath. Good plan.
Breathe
I am dressed, showered and almost to work.
I also brushed my hair. My older son told me he loves me, and I told both my sons I love them. Things are good.
I am capable and smart. This is why my office hired me.
I can do this day.
A very qualified person got the assistant vice president job. I didn’t go for it at all, because I feel like I am at my max capacity. However, my co-workers faith in my abilities got me thinking. As a working mom, I sometimes see myself as barely hanging on. But perhaps, the outside world isn’t let in on this secret. Perhaps we are all a little more qualified than we think we are.