#MakingTime: A Day in the Life of a San Fernando Valley-Based CEO and Working Mom

Woman walking to work

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Fairygodboss
Fairygodboss
Updated: 5/20/2019

Women can do anything — but not everything. As the largest online career community for women, we at Fairygodboss realize that balance is a myth, and that picking what to prioritize when everything feels important on a day-to-day basis isn't always easy. In the #MakingTime series, women share with us how, for one day, they chose to spend their most precious resource: time.

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Who: Deborah Sweeney

What: CEO and Owner of MyCorporation

Where:  Calabasas, California

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6:07 a.m.

My alarm goes off and I don't hit snooze. I’m already awake! I do a 10-minute review of email to get a sense for anything urgent. Then, I meditate for one minute and focus on my top five items for which I'm grateful that day. After that I pop up because I know I must wake up the boys and get ready for the day. My husband takes less time to get ready, so he makes breakfast and I pack lunches and bags for school and sports (we have two teenage sons). My husband and one son leave for middle school, followed by my older son and I departing at 7:10 a.m. for the high school. 

7:30 a.m.

We've made it to the school – and now I'm off to Pilates! I take some calls en route to class.

Deborah Sweeney, CEO of MyCorporation
Deborah Sweeney, CEO of MyCorporation

7:50 a.m.

I go through my email one more time before my class starts at 8 a.m. After an hour of Pilates, it's time to get to the office!

9:10 a.m.

I walk into work and make sure to say good morning to the team members by popping by each “pod” in the office. I move quickly and then take meetings from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 

11:30 a.m.

With my meetings knocked out, it's time to begin tackling my to-do list: product management matters, revenue analysis, sales team strategies, training, and financials. 

I eat lunch at my desk during a virtual meeting, which I periodically put on mute to chew my food. Next, I work on a quick project for a partner and have a team meeting after that. I try to keep on track with the to-do list I’ve created the prior night. 

2 p.m.

A few of us decide to walk outside the office during an afternoon meeting because it’s a beautiful day here in Calabasas. I am working out on the “floor” of the office today – it’s a better opportunity for me to engage with the team and to get a feel for how things are going. 

4:30 p.m.

I leave the office to pick up my son from school. My husband and I meet at his office to trade kids, so I can go to the soccer practice that doesn’t end as late. This will give me time to get home earlier and make dinner. During practice, I walk, email, and take two calls. 

8 p.m.
Practice ends at 8 p.m., so we run home and I start making tacos for dinner. It’s a family favorite. While I’m making dinner, my sons are working on homework. I always have my laptop out during homework (the boys need me less and less for homework nowadays). Either way, I’m there, and I’m doing my own “homework," too. I get through the project I need to handle, write content, answer email questions, strategize with partners, and focus on revenue opportunities. I work standing in the evenings; I find it keeps me focused and moving. 
9:45 p.m.
The four of us are upstairs and getting ready for bed around 9:45 p.m. I have my laptop with me upstairs for end of day check-in and to create my to-do list for the following day. I do a quick debrief in my head about all that I’m thankful for, and by 11 I fall asleep as soon as I close my eyes. 
Interested in contributing to Fairygodboss' #MakingTime series? Email [email protected] with "#MakingTime" in the subject line.

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