I miss you like crazy. It’s been over a month since we dropped you off at college and it’s feels like months. And this is after having visited you almost every weekend…
Read morePivot your negative thoughts to positive ones
One thing that I’ve noticed is that you (and me sometimes, I have to admit) sometimes spend too much time worrying about what other people are doing, saying and thinking of us. The only one you should be focused on is you.
Read moreLife, just like any project, is not a straight line
I know that you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself right now. Dad and I have always encouraged you to study and do good in school, but we have never put the kind of pressure on you the way you put pressure on yourself. Please remember to be a little bit nicer.
Read morePippi Longstocking, a smart Swedish woman just like you
As you know, I’m a huge fan of Pippi Longstocking. I mean, how can you not be? Probably every girl growing up in Sweden can relate. Pippi influenced me a lot growing up in Sweden. I loved her spunk, and I still do. My friends and I would play Pippi outside all day, climbing trees, going out for picnics and on walks to the local candy store to buy some candy after school. Just like Pippi. We did everything except lifting horses and chasing cops!
Read moreYou can have a career AND kids
I’m never going to forget when you were in 2nd grade, and you told me that you were so happy that I was not a stay-at-home, minivan driving mom (btw - I have a lot of respect for stay-at-home moms!), wine drinking (I remember I jumped at that observation) and that you were proud of that I had a career. I started crying.
Read moreDear Daughter, I have something to share
Dear Daughter
I can’t believe you are going to college next year. Where is the time going, and how is this possible when I am still only 25…?! I’m so thankful for our close relationship and that we talk about EVERYTHING. This is the benefit of having a Swedish mom that is not afraid of talking about any topic! Even though we talk a lot, there are still so many more things I want to tell you, and lessons I want to share. So I’ve decided to share them here. This way you can come back to them as many times you need, as a reminder throughout your life and your career. And also, since I’ve noticed that even though I still sometimes get the “ok, mom….” comment, I keep catching you following my advice later on. So even if you pretend not to listen sometimes, I know that you still are, so I’m going to keep on talking and keep on writing here. And now you just need to read, and not listen to me go on and on about life and leadership lessons. And come on, who wouldn’t want to catch up on some leadership advice from mom after class?!
I tell my team of project managers all the time - use me and ask a thousand questions. I’m old and I have a ton of experience. I’ve gone through the things you are experiencing on your projects, and with your clients many times, and can share my learnings with you so that you don’t make the same mistakes as me. I can tell you how to be a strategic leader, how to plan, proactively predict risks, how to read and motivate your team, how to get through challenging projects, how to build relationships, how to build trust and respect with your team, how to learn from both good and bad bosses, and most of all how to project manage the shit out of anything, including life.
So Elsa, be a sponge and listen to what I have to share with you. You are already so much wiser than I was at 17, but I want to give you an even further head start in life. Every woman needs to go for what they want, be the leader of their life and not let anyone else tell them what they can and can’t do.
I love you, and I’m so proud of you.
Mamma
Life is simple
Life is simple and easy, or it's suppose to be. Here are some things you can do to keep it easy and stress free...
Read moreYou are in charge
You are in charge of:
- What you are going to eat today
- Whether or not you are going to exercise today
- If you are going to be happy or sad
What are you going to do and feel today boss?
Read moreI love the holidays!
I love the holidays! Getting together with family and friends, cozy up on the couch with candles everywhere. Many think the holidays are stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Just plan and start early. I’m almost done with all holiday shopping and I have wrapped most gifts...
Read moreA quite moment
Fall is my favorite season. I make sure I get up before everyone else, have a cup of coffee and light a candle. I helps me collect my thoughts and to get ready for the day. Do you make sure you get a quite moment all to yourself every day? It will help you with staying focused and to manage stressful moments throughout the day. Have a great day!
Read moreA letter to myself
- Hope you had a great weekend!
I spent my weekend with family and friends in Maine celebrating my birthday. It was an amazing weekend which made me reflect on my life and what has happened this past year. I've decided to start a new tradition. I'm going to send a letter to myself on my birthday reflecting on the past year and to tell myself where I would like to be in a year (when I open the letter). I will also give myself some tips on what to focus on etc.
The letter starts like this:
Hi Madlene,
This is Madlene in year 2014. Yet another year has passed and the big learning this year was to not stress about time. Everything happens when it's suppose to happen....
..........
I will share my letter with you in 2015 when I open it up on my next birthday. Let's see if I learned anything and listened to myself...
Reflections in beautiful Maine -