Amanda Cybul

3 glorious days of first grade – and already my daughter has been sent home due to a COVID exposure.

What’s next?

Home for 10 days, she's now back to online learning: after being exposed (while wearing a mask) to another child who tested positive for covid during the school’s weekly pool testing.
 
I don’t know why, but a part of me was hoping for a normal school year.

Is that wrong?

I love my daughter with all my heart. But last year was hard for me as a working mother with a child in and out of school.

And I know I’m not alone.

McKinsey & Company found that COVID drove almost 2 million women – many of them mothers with young children – to consider leaving the workforce or taking a career break.

As the boundaries between work and personal life disappeared, it somehow became harder to bring your whole self to any portion of your life.

Personally, I felt great pressure to balance my role as a caregiver with my usual ambitious self who’s “always on.”

One minute I’m working, on a call with a client, 1,000 miles away.

The next I have to excuse myself for a second to switch her between zoom classes.

It was tough.

Look, COVID was hard on everyone. And I know millions around the world went through so much worse. I consider myself lucky.

But I wanted to put this out there for anyone who’s going through the same.

Anyone who’s “feeling” the same.

I see you.

I know you’re tired.

I know last year made you question if you’re a good parent, co-worker, partner.

Here’s a reminder:

You did your best, under the extraordinary circumstances.

Pat yourself on the back.

You deserve it.

#entrepreneurship #parenting #business #ConversationsForChange

So my favorite team got together on our day off to root for our favorite team 🧢
 
Why?

Because we love being together – inside and outside of work.

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s baseball season ⚾ And for the first time in a few years, it feels like it. 
 
Packed stadiums, sunshine, smiles, and – best of all – cheering your team together from the stands.
 
And guess what?
 
We can identify with what we see on the field.

It reminds us of our own team culture – because we know we’re at our best when we’re together. 
 
And we’re focused on people. Not just those we serve – but those we work with, too.
 
So, do you and your colleagues cheer for each other from the dugout? 📣
 
Read each other’s signals like a pitcher and a catcher with bases loaded and a 3-2 count?
 
Reassure each other that it’s not over ‘til it’s over – even when everything is on the line and you’re down by a run or two?
 
We do.
 
Each of us has a different strength, personality, and role to play. But we’re all essential to get the job done.
 
How could you be anything but optimistic with a team like this one? 😊
 
After all, our team spirit runs deep. And I have a feeling we’ll be knocking it out of the park for quite a while 💪

#people #culture #teams #work #business #acquisitions