It’s time to step up.

Wait no more. This is the month when imagination turns into reality. The anxiety about achieving greater ambition in professional life is no longer a dream. It is here and now. “Can mothers have it all?” a question I long finding an answer will soon come to light. Instead of resolving the what-if puzzles with a million possibilities, it’s time to step up and see it for myself.

I have expected to sink into the new idea of added responsibilities when moving up the ladder. The complexity lies in juggling a young family and professional priorities plus anticipating demands from key stakeholders. One can easily overwhelmed by requests from all directions. There is only twenty four hours in a day and only so much we can do. The more I dwell into these thoughts, the more coward I become.

Again, these are the little noises in our head that make us less courageous. These are not the truth until proven. A challenge is subject to how we see and manage it. Interpretation is one, doing is another. Without stepping up to confront it, it remained as a hear say. Rather than negative musings and self-doubt, I’ve learned to embrace these five key principles that I find very useful:

Perfection is great, imperfection is unique.

Criticism is a selection of upgrades, choose wisely.

Everyone is entitled to own opinion, likewise.

There will always be happy and unhappy people.

Opportunities go to those who deserved, seize them well.

Let’s find strength in vulnerability together! “Vulnerability is not weakness. It’s our greatest measure of courage.” – Brené Brown

Finally, we are only human. Since motherhood, I have learned to cut through noises because there is only so much one can take. Maybe I am neither super efficient nor a superwoman. But I believe these surrounding noises will wear us down at unimaginable speed over time. One truth for sure is that I have craved for an opportunity to grow. There is no better time than now to step up and seize it. My time to shine is now.