Talk to almost any woman, and many men, and you'll hear the same complaint - Life is becoming unmanageable. I don't have time to devote to the things I care most about. Work is often the major culprit. 60-80 hour weeks are far too common. (I hear some of you saying, "80 hours - you wusses. I put in at least 100.")
I used to wear the number of hours I worked as a badge of honor. I don't anymore. I think the breaking point for me came when my father was dying. I'd check in on him whenever I could, but I didn't spend much time because I always had to get back to my computer to finish up one project or another. He was so proud of me and so understanding of my schedule. But finally, one day, as I was rushing off as usual, he grabbed my hand, looked me in the eye and croaked, "Don't run off." (He had Parkinsons and had very little voice left).
Something in me just broke. From that moment on, I said "I'm getting out. I don't know how, but I'm going to find a way."
I'm happy to say that I now run my own marketing to women consultancy. Do I still put in the long hours/work every weekend/face stress down on a daily basis? You bet. But I'm doing it on my terms and on my schedule.
Everyone has a story. And in Womenomics, you'll find you are not alone in your struggles. But the message of the book is not one of despair, but rather one of hope.