Getting Remarkably Organised–with a baby in tow
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Lorraine Murphy is an award-winning entrepreneur and author who has found the sweet spot of getting organised and staying on track–and parlayed that into a career.
Her legion of fans and followers has lapped up her wisdom on everything from no-nonsense business decisions, to miracle mornings and weekend cook-ups as they seek to juggle their own busy lives.
So when Lorraine’s carefully curated schedule had to make room nearly two years ago for the entry of her first child with husband and fellow entrepreneur Wade, many were wondering how she would cope.
Remarkably well, as it turns out.
Lorraine’s latest book Baby, You’re Remarkable! follows on from Get Remarkably Organised and her first book Remarkability. The theme, no surprises here, is that motherhood need not lead to the screeching halt of one’s business, passion, motivation or life structure.
It was a no-brainer that Lorraine would take to her laptop with newborn Lexi given the number of clients (she is a business coach and mentor) who were desperate to find out how it was all going, and in very short time–just five months to write and five months to polish and edit–the book is now hitting the stands.
Lorraine will be in Canberra on Wednesday 18 September for an intimate chat about the main messages of the book, as well as the wider topic of staying focused on one’s career, regardless of whether you have children or not.
Meanwhile, we snuck in a few quick questions ahead of the event…
Lorraine, when did it become apparent there was a need for this book?
Lorraine and Lexi.
A core part of what I speak about is the organisation side of things, and when I would speak to groups with parents in them, I would always get the question: “This all sounds great and I get it in theory…but how can I do this with kids?”.
Now that I’m a mother myself, I can see how family commitments make it so much more difficult to have everything gripped up.
Then on the other side of my business, when I’m mentoring this is a challenge that mothers come up with over and over again–they want to get more organised/build their businesses/reach higher in their careers, but the fact is that they’re doing it with less physical time, less mental bandwidth and sometimes less energy.
What were the hardest parts to write?
Definitely the chapter on myself and Wade’s relationship. I hesitated a few times on sharing in that one, however, I know the challenges we’ve experienced are being experienced by thousands of other parents–so I felt it was important to go there.
I was also very conscious throughout of making it clear that the decisions we made/make are our decisions, and that I wasn’t promoting a set way of doing this parenting/career thing.
I’ve reiterated a few times in the book that it’s vital that we do it our way, and not how other people expect us or tell us to do it.
What was the best part?
Lorraine and Lexi.
Anytime I got to write about Lexi–as she’s pure joy and we’ve had a great adventure together.
What is your ultimate aspiration for this book? Who do you want it to reach and how do you want them to use it?
It’s for three different women:
1) Myself five years ago–with my own business and with starting a family on the horizon, I had no idea what to expect or plan for. This was the book I needed.
2) For any parent blending a career/business with a family.
3) For younger women who one day want to have a family and a career–I wish I’d known this stuff in my mid-20s as it would have reassured me a lot, and given me a model to base decisions on.
How does an organisational guru cope with the unpredictability of motherhood?
Lexi, Lorraine and Wade.
I’ve learned to embrace the days it works out and to be kind to myself on the days it doesn’t. We’ve just come out the other side of two solid weeks of her having disrupted sleep and an ear infection (while Wade is away for 3.5 weeks), and my morning routine fell off a cliff during that time.
I’ve learned that planning and preparing as much as possible means that there’s less drama when the inevitable curveballs do hit.
Apart from the overwhelming LOVE of being a mum, what are some of the other intense emotions you feel?
Lorraine and Lexi.
A sh*t tonne of joy–Lexi has a magical ability of placing me firmly in the present moment and I’ve also learned a playful side of myself. So that’s great.
On the less uplifting end of the spectrum, intense frustration at times: when how she wants to do something is the direct opposite of how I want her to do it (her wardrobe is a constant negotiation process right now).
And also fear–am I doing this right? Am I enjoying it enough? Will she be happy with/proud of the choices we’re making when she’s older?
Who do you want to see in your audience at the Canberra event?
Anyone who is seeking to rise higher in their lives – whether they’re parents or not. The evening will have nuggets for entrepreneurs and professionals alike. I love Canberra audiences and cannot wait to be there with you all.
the essentials
What: Baby, You’re Remarkable! An evening with Lorraine Murphy
When: Wednesday 18 September from 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: Pialligo Estate, 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo
Website: See Eventbrite for more information
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