A few months back, I had the chance to join a Women’s Leadership event at the University of Cambridge. It was an eye-opening experience, surrounded by remarkable women from all different ages and backgrounds, all sharing their insights into the challenges and rewards of being female leader today. We touched on everything from the frustrating pay gap to the power of networking and the importance of self-confidence. Yet, the conversation that really hit home was about balancing our professional growth with meeting the societal standards of what it means to be a “good mom”.

The room buzzed with stories from various women. We shared concerns about time with our kids slipping away and some shared their experiences and pride as daughters of successful and leading mothers. But amidst these stories, I noticed we were dancing around a big elephant in the room: the emotional juggle of our day-to-day decision-making.

I felt compelled to chime in. My life is like a never-ending “choose your own adventure” book: deciding between tackling the ever-growing laundry pile, untangling mysteries in my code, fielding urgent client calls, or diving into school projects with my kids. Evenings might find me whipping up a dinner while contemplating yet another data strategy project. And then comes the nightly reflection in the mirror: Have I made the right choices today?

This emotional see-saw is no small thing. It’s a hefty challenge for us striving to excel in our careers while giving our best to our families. Seeking some wisdom, I raised a question to the panel about navigating these daily emotional waters.

What came next was a bit of a surprise. The moderator, a well-respected professor at Cambridge who’s been recognised by the Queen herself, shared a nugget of wisdom that really resonated with me. She said, “At the end of the day, HAVE NO REGRETS“.

That advice was a lightbulb moment for me. It reminded me that while our journey is filled with tough calls and challenging days, dwelling on regrets doesn’t help at all. It’s about taking each day as it comes, embracing its imperfections, and moving forward with a POSITIVE SPIRIT.

Since then, I strive to live by that advice, balancing the chaotic mix of tech and family life with a sense of humour and the perspective that, at the end of the day, it’s all about making choices that enable us to continue moving forward. It’s about laughing at the chaos, learning from each experience, and appreciating the journey for all its ups and downs.

We’ve got this!!