Meet Bryony Williams, a mum of one who has recently started out on her own as a career coach, supporting incredible women in professional services who are looking to break the glass ceiling and find their voice in a male dominated environment.
A typical day for Bryony involves an early start. She is usually up at 5.30am “with the small human” until the nanny takes over at 8am. At least 1 coffee(!) and then into London working in a shared space often with friends/contacts to keep the creative juices flowing. She says the time FLIES! It’s then grab a quick lunch and a walk, with meetings in the afternoon. Home by 7 for baby bedtime.
During the evenings Bryony likes to switch off with some trashy tv! She will try to stay off the wine in the week due to early mornings but come the weekend she’ll reach for a nice glass of red.
She is also a fanatic of ByPieta work outs (and any exercise she has the energy to do!) saying “confidence and motivation starts on the inside.”
Speaking of WoMo guilt, Bryony shares that she has:
“succumbed to the guilt too many times”. At the beginning of the year I set myself the mantra that this year there is no room in my life for beating myself up. As women, we do it far too often. 2022 is for positive energy and encouragement of myself, I do need reminding but so far so good.
Bryony went on the tell us what he found most challenging when returning to work after maternity leave:
“ The pressure of my original job was phenomenal, and finishing work and switching to "mum" was incredibly hard, I was tired and distracted, that's exactly why I resigned and have set up on my own. Every female deserves flexibility and a slice of work around their parental responsibilities. Supporting WoMo's is on the agenda of businesses now but the practical action is still lacking and I am on a mission to continue to educate professional firms on the benefits of having WoMo's in their business and how to adapt to the needs of someone who isn't a man doing a Monday to Friday 9-5, particularly how to alleviate the pressure.
Her guilty pleasure…? “A glass of champagne with lunch if I have had a really amazing morning at work!”
Being a WoMo has taught Bryony that “Being submissive sometimes is equally as powerful as being dominant! I have spent a lifetime in male dominated firms trying to be powerful (or like a man!) and actually, a WoMo's power is within, she already holds the cards she just needs to listen to herself on how to play them.”
Giving advice to other WoMos Bryony said take your time, listen to your physical reactions to motherhood and the workplace and if it’s not right, make a change.
Finally, we asked Bryony what she would like to teach future generations about working mothers?
Wow - to approach working life and motherhood with patience, if there is one value you need in life it is that, it helps in all situations!
@theglassfemale
