Clay Bowen, DML’s Post

Things I was unprepared for vol. 300: About a week before Christmas I had maybe my second or third interview since leaving my last paid role. Now I find two versions of myself, one who wants the hell out of this job, and one who is (only kind of) hoping they go another way. I'm not actively job hunting, but some opportunities are too good to pass up. This role was absolutely one of those. I'd be lucky to land it. The work and mission are things that excite me, things I could take pride in. Not to mention, this team is clearly a cut above. I'd be learning and growing at an ambitious pace just sharing space with these folks. I'm in the latter half of the waiting-to-hear-back time frame, about three business days from writing that "thanks for your time" email. This waiting, elongated by the holiday, has offered more introspection than I had anticipated. I'm a house spouse with three rad kids and a kid with RAD (who is also awesome). I have an amazing partner whose career afforded us the opportunity to move to Germany. I'm not in a bad spot at all, and less than a year after adopting our three oldest from foster care, I've been exactly where our family needed me while we made this transition. It was always the plan to take this on, make it work and find the right gig. We'd be in a position as partners and as a family to keep building the dream before moving back to the states. But today, I'm home with our youngest who is skipping pre-k for a doctor's appointment. He put his teeth through his lower lip after slipping on Roman ruins in Lyon last week, and we want his pediatrician to take a look at the French ER doc's work. After walking his brothers to the bus stop, we spent an hour playing with a programmable robot dog he got for Christmas. It's not a holiday, no PTO, not even a sick day. This is my Thursday morning at work. I'd argue it's one of the finest I've ever had, in any role. Every job/ role/ gig/ position, has its ups and downs. This one absolutely does, and I'm sure my next one will as well. I'm far from the first parent to ever have to consider these priorities, and as of right now there's nothing to consider. If I had known the impact staying home would have on me, I'm not sure I would have chosen to do so, back in August. Today however, I am beyond prepared for whatever comes next because of this time.

In the hustle and bustle of our careers, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. 🌟 While professional achievements are important, let's not forget the foundation that supports us through every success and setback—our family. Taking the time to nurture relationships with loved ones not only brings personal fulfillment but also fuels our professional growth. When we prioritize family, we build a strong support system that helps us thrive in all areas of life. So, let's remember to cherish those moments with our family, create lasting memories, and find a balance that allows us to excel both at home and at work. After all, a strong family foundation is the bedrock of a successful career. 💼❤️ #FamilyFirst #WorkLifeBalance #Success #CareerGrowth #Priorities

Parenthood - the most rewarding job there is! In my opinion anyways 😍 Just a few of the perks that come with it.... 👉 Seeing everything with a fresh pair of eyes.... 👉 The insane feeling of love.... 👉 The constant joy of surprise.... 👉 Living up to my kids' high expectations.... 👉 The sound of my baby's laugh.... 👉 My appreciation for my own Mum.... 👉 Endless nappy changes.... 👉 Constant "Mum" "Mumma" or "Mummy".... 👉 Sleepless nights.... 👉 A once perfectly kept house now full of toys.... 👉 An ever growing mountain of washing that never seems to go away!.... But a life that I wouldn't change for the world 🌍 After having some time out with my 2nd born it’s now back to my 2nd most loved job... the world of Recruitment 🚀 It's been a while since I caught up with so many of you, so if any of my connections are free for a virtual coffee and want to discuss anything new or recruitment related then feel free to get in touch. ☕ Elements are always on the look out for new partners to work with and this could be a great opportunity to work with each other again. Dora 🧡 #recruitment #embedded #talentacquisition

It’s completely okay to be a quitter… I am certain that most people have heard the phrase “don’t be a quitter”, and, especially growing up, kids are often told that “they must push through no matter what; and, regardless of the circumstances, they should never quit.” However, entering into adulthood, I have come to understand that this sentiment lacks some needed nuance. First and foremost, “pushing through” when you hate a person, place, or thing in the spirit of commitment is stupid. When I was 13, should I have continued playing football simply because I joined a league? No and thank god I didn’t. Had I stayed, my insides would probably look like a water mattress and my brain, a vegetable. But, when I decided to quit, I felt extremely relieved. Many times in life, that sense of relief serves as THE confirmation that you made the right decision. Admittedly, the stakes weren’t that high besides my dad being slightly annoyed. Thus, I want to provide more life-altering (and heavy) examples of quitting that I’ve encountered so far in my life; I quit the Ivy League because I didn’t like it; I quit life-long friendships since they were hurting me unnecessarily; I’ve quit jobs because of toxic managers. And, even recently, after job searching for 4 months in the Nashville area, I realized that if companies didn’t see my value there, maybe I should try my luck elsewhere. And guess what? The next day, I applied to a company in NH to which I made it to the final interview for—something I could not pull off during the entire time I spent applying to jobs in Nashville. A competitive market or a 🔮 sign from the universe? Maybe both lol I don’t know where people got this idea that quitting is some grave mistake but, at least from my experience, it can be the healthiest thing you can do. I mean, if that hobby, job, person, etc. doesn’t work, why force it? Of course, there is more nuance to the topic than saying that quitting is ALWAYS healthy. For example, you shouldn’t quit your marriage because you had one fight or quit gymnastics since you had one bad week of training. However, if you love something enough, I don’t believe that the average person is capable of quitting that “thing” long-term. Especially for causes that people care about deeply—whether it’s animal welfare, the volleyball community, or fish tacos—I don’t think that a self-aware person CAN quit their interests forever, no matter how much they try. For me, that has become music…send help. And, although I’ve tried to find a more stable career option, I physically could not force myself to pursue something else. So, yeah, you might press pause on that activity or person you absolutely love yet are tired of BUT the things that are meant for us always have a way of cracking open, no matter how hard we attempt to ignore them. So, quit on! ….until you find something that you, just simply, are incapable of quitting. Let me know what you think! Follow for more! #life #quitting #good #bad

It was my first day back at work today after a year of maternity leave. Didn't get to see this cuties face as the hours were incredibly long. On the positive side, I sold 2 deals today earning me more than what I would get paid in a month 😲 My goal is to be consistently selling at least 3 each month by the summer so I can leave the teaching world and became a SAHM I am loving my journey learning all about property and getting the opportunity to earn from it to with the @socialhousinggroup 😊 #socialhousing #propertyinvestment #earnandlearn #mumlife

As a mother myself and a career coach who has been on both sides, I understand the challenges and immense rewards that come with balancing motherhood and a fulfilling career. The journey of motherhood, without doubt, is filled with precious moments of countless joy and love watching your baby grow. But it also comes with its own set of challenges. As mothers, we often find ourselves juggling multiple roles—caregiver, nurturer, and wife. And after a while, we are faced with the reality of trying to revive our careers after child birth. To every mother reading this, I want you to know that your dreams and aspirations are valid. You deserve to pursue a fulfilling career that aligns with your passions and goals, even while executing your mother-and-wife duties. Motherhood should never be seen as a barrier but as a source of strength and inspiration. My fellow mothers, I want to support your journey to return to work. Through our Career Accelerator Program, we provide you with the guidance, resources, and encouragement you need to succeed. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to advance, or seeking a career change, we are here to help you navigate the path to success. If you’re ready to embark on this transformative journey, DM us now. Let’s work together to strategically build your roadmap back to the corporate world. #CareerMom #CareerDevelopment #CareerCoaching

Our presence as fathers is often felt, when it is nowhere to be found in our homes. 👇 Throughout my journey, I have made the mistake, of giving the best of myself to my workplace. This manifested in not being present with my family, even when I was physically there. --- Being laid off was a wake up call to get my priorities in order. I did not see it coming. I was performing. I gave it my all. In the end, it did not matter. 💔 Making an income is necessary. But your workplace is not your second home. Your coworkers are not your family. 1️⃣ The time you spend at work is an expense. 2️⃣ The time you spend with your children is an investment. --- Here is my insights after 15 years of work: - Leave early. - Go to the soccer practices. - Take fully advantage of flexible policies. - Disconnect your work email from your phone. - Step away from work when your kids are sick. ⚖ Strike the right balance that works for you., and make necessary adjustments along the way. --- Know that for our children, being present is the biggest present. The only person who will remember, the late nights in the office, is you. #Layoff #WorkingDads #Fatherhood #WorkLifeBalance

If your mom calls you and asks you to take two days off, please take it and go home. Your job, promotion, projects, and submissions will all be there when you return. Your career milestones can wait, but precious family moments can't. Prioritize what truly matters before it is too late. #WorkLifeBalance #FamilyFirst #Repost

As a mother myself and a career coach who has been on both sides, I understand the challenges and immense rewards that come with balancing motherhood and a fulfilling career. The journey of motherhood, without doubt, is filled with precious moments of countless joy and love watching your baby grow. But it also comes with its own set of challenges. As mothers, we often find ourselves juggling multiple roles—caregiver, nurturer, and wife. And after a while, we are faced with the reality of trying to revive our careers after child birth. To every mother reading this, I want you to know that your dreams and aspirations are valid. You deserve to pursue a fulfilling career that aligns with your passions and goals, even while executing your mother-and-wife duties. Motherhood should never be seen as a barrier but as a source of strength and inspiration. My fellow mothers, I want to support your journey to return to work. Through our Career Accelerator Program, we provide you with the guidance, resources, and encouragement you need to succeed. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to advance, or seeking a career change, we are here to help you navigate the path to success. If you’re ready to embark on this transformative journey, DM us now. Let’s work together to strategically build your roadmap back to the corporate world. #CareerMom #CareerDevelopment #CareerCoaching