We were lucky to catch up with Lori Oberbroeckling recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lori, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Wow! This is such a great question, not only because my clients struggle with confidence, but because it is something I have to work towards consistently. Confidence is not a one-and-done. It is something we have to strive for and practice.
For me, the biggest way I have built confidence over the years is by taking small risks. Taking on projects I wasn’t quite ready for, joining a group where I didn’t know anyone, and volunteering for a role that might be a little bit scary. These risks allowed me to stretch my skills, see success, and build my confidence muscle. They also allowed me to experience failures, and while I sure don’t love to fail, it is a great way to learn and build confidence as you grow.
A few years ago I joined a group of businesswomen in a mastermind. I didn’t know anyone in the group and part of our program was an in-person retreat where we shared a house. I could have skipped it. I could have decided that it was too outside of my comfort zone. Instead, I jumped in feet first.
It turned out to be an amazing experience and allowed me to connect with women I never would have met otherwise. It allowed me to feel confident about my business and at the same time make connections with other women doing big things.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
If you would have told me ten years ago that I would be an author, host a podcast, and be a coach to busy working moms, I would have laughed. I would’ve thought, “How in the world would my current career take me on that path?” But sometimes our paths are sprinkled with a little bit of magic and take us in directions we never anticipate.
As we became entrenched in the pandemic, it started to be clear to me that some moms were managing better than others. So, I asked the question…”What are those moms doing!?!?” The result was the book Secrets of Supermom: How Extraordinary Moms Succeed at Work and Home & How You Can Too. I share sixteen secrets that busy working moms use to get more done, feel strong, stay happy, and create balance in their lives. This turned into a podcast and a full-blown coaching business, allowing me to connect with women all over the world in ways I would have never dreamed.
It is an absolute privilege to help women who love their careers but also adore their families find a way to do both in a way that feels completely aligned.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the three skills that have allowed me to be most successful are implementing processes and systems, weekly planning, and time management.
Processes and systems have allowed me to be as efficient as possible in my work at home and in my career. My goal is always to create processes that allow me to do more in less time so that I have open space in my calendar (I call it white space!). My goal is also to create processes that allow me to build habits. We all know that the things we do as part of a habit require way less thought and decision-making power. I want to save that power for the big goals and not the little tasks that happen every day.
Weekly planning is an absolute game changer in my life, and I recommend it to every woman I work with. When you spend time planning the coming week, you avoid overwhelm, know when you need help, and don’t become bogged down by a crazy to-do list. It works!
Finally, time management in general has been a skill set that I have long honed. I want to manage my time well, set priorities, and be able to do all the amazing things I want to do in my life. In order to make that happen, time management is a must.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Such a great question for a coach of busy moms because this might be the number one complaint of my clients. “I am just so overwhelmed. Where do I even start?”
When I personally feel overwhelmed, it is almost always because I have succumbed to the “disease to please”. I have said too many yeses, and taken on too much. In order to get back to alignment, I pause. I take some deep breaths. Then, I take a look at my plan and determine where I need to ask for help, where I need to change a goal, and where I need to let go, even if just for now. When I realize that I am in control, the overwhelm subsides, and I can get back to doing the things I love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.secretsofsupermom.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretsofsupermom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secretsofsupermom
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/secretsofsupermom
