It is not surprising to anybody in the nonprofit world that we all end up doing a lot more than what our job description initially entailed. In many cases, organizations have too much work to get done with not enough hands to help, so we all end up pitching in. I am the first one to admit that I usually have a hard time saying “no” when my boss asks me to take on extra projects, or to take over projects from other staff members. It took me a long time to be able to say “I’m sorry, but I can’t”. I don’t say it often, but the first time those words came out of my mouth I panicked. What if my boss was mad because I said no? What if they thought I was incompetent?

Being a mom has emphasized my desire to have the career I want.

I want a career that is fulfilling, challenging, worthwhile andflexible. I am equal parts motivated to be my best self for my child and to go after what I want. I have a sense of urgency to find what I truly desire more than ever. Let’s just say I had a bad case of “mom guilt” when I came back from maternity leave. I felt crushed that I was spending so much time at work and leaving my child with another person all day. I felt I was going to miss all the big moments and he would surely grow up to resent me.

Then, I shifted my thinking.

Working in the nonprofit industry can be an incredibly rewarding experience but, like any job, it can also be incredibly draining. So, with that in mind, I’m committing in 2018 to focusing on my personal health and wellness as well as my professional development and success. And I am, of course, doing this in the most cliche way possible: a list of New Year’s Resolutions which I would like to share with you.