This week on IAW’s podcast Unlimited HERizons our host and president, Megan Bozzuto, chatted with a member, Latika Vines, about being intentional with your decisions, the importance of self-love, and obtaining a “circle of influence.” Latika is a career development strategist, a podcast host, an author, and a mother of four.
She has a plethora of experience and knowledge in how to balance work-life situations. Here are a few pieces of advice she shared:
Intentional Decision Making
As a mother, spouse, career woman, and more, Latika has a full schedule on her plate 24/7. She could not commit to everything all the time, so she reassessed. “I really had to step back and analyze what is important to me, what are my priorities, what’s important for my family,” she said. “One thing I had to learn recently: what am I focused on, what am I going to say ‘yes’ to? I cannot say yes to everything and everyone because that’s when the stretch and the overwhelm comes through.”
Small tasks may seem easy to agree to but do they align with your goals, and is it as simple as it sounds? Being intentional with who and what you say “yes” or “no” to can prioritize your schedule better. Setting clear goals, boundaries, and systems will organize the chaos and calm anxiety.
Circle of Influence
The circle of influence refers to the community around you who pushes you to keep following your dreams. They could be mentors, co-workers, friends, or family. “You need someone who is going to say, ‘you know what, your goal for the year was to do x, y, and z,’” explained Latika. “If you have that circle of influence around you to remind you of your system then your answers will most likely be ‘no’ to the things that don’t align with what you need to do.”
No Such Thing as Perfect
Wanting to be the best is motivating when you grow personally or professionally. Yet, wanting to be the best at everything is when you can criticize yourself more. Latika advises others to give self-love and grace to themselves. “Grace is honestly making sure that you are okay, that you forgive yourself, that you pour love back into yourself as you pour into others,” she said. “It’s making sure you take a moment and just reflect, analyze, do not be hard on yourself, and move on.”
Want to listen to Latika Vines’ whole story and get more advice? Listen to Unlimited HERizons updated weekly with different amazing professional women telling their stories. All IAW members can connect with Latika in the IAW Community!
