"Things My Mother Taught Me"

Happy Mother's Day from PowerToFly!

Each year when Mother's Day rolls around, I find myself reflecting on all the things my mother taught me.

After all, our moms are often our first teachers (it only seems fitting that Mother's Day coincides with so many college graduations - yet one more instance in which mothers take a backseat to celebrate the accomplishments of their children). They help us through school, and eventually they help us navigate the challenges of adult life - many of them work-related.

My mom taught me lots of little things, like always send a thank you note after an interview and never get drunk at a company holiday party... but she also taught me a lot of big things, like how to embrace my strengths, and always be aware of my weaknesses. In my five years in the workforce, I've yet to go a day without hearing her voice in the back of my head.

I have an amazing group of coworkers and I was confident that much of their success in the workplace - and their personal lives - would also be thanks to their moms.

So I asked them to fill in their own responses to "My mom taught me..."

They had a lot to say:


My mom taught me to work hard and not become complacent in a job. Always be looking for how to improve and add value. Make the job my own, and make my manager glad he/she hired me for the unique value I add.


My mom taught me to make choices by considering the outcome. Some choices are like piercings and can be easily reversed without leaving much of a mark. Others are like tattoos; you can't quickly erase or change the results so you need to learn from it. Even if the choice turns out to be a mistake, you get to decide if the mark it made on you is a scar or a decoration.


My mom taught me to be true to myself. She instilled in me my sense of intuition and my confidence in listening to my gut.


My mom taught me how to be comfortable with myself. She helped me find my voice. I understand the sweetness of silence and the importance of self-love thanks to my first great teacher (aka my mom).


My mom taught me to love myself to be able to love others and to appreciate myself to be able to appreciate others


My mom taught me to never stop working hard - everything happens for a reason, and as long as you\u2019re doing your absolute best work anything is possible.


My mom taught me - a perfectionist to a fault - that a C project that's finished on time is better than an A project that's turned in late


don\u2019t ever get involved in your children\u2019s battles\u2026because the kids forget about it, but the parent\u2019s don\u2019t


My mom taught me to stand up for myself, to fight for what I want, to never give up, to not take the easy way out and to live life to the fullest.


The most important thing my mum taught me is what she *didn't* "teach" me. Being the only girl out of four siblings I was never told "A girl doesn't do X,Y,Z!". Her (and my dad!) saw the same career opportunities for me as for my brothers: I could become anything that I wanted to be, if I just worked hard for it.


My mother always led by example. She taught me never to let anyone except my best inner self dictate my actions - professional and personal, and to always trust my first instinct. She also demonstrated how empowering and joyful it is for a woman to be successful in her career, because of, and despite, all odds.


My mom taught me to be strong. She taught me to always be honest - that the truth will set you free even though it might make you miserable first. I have three brothers and was treated just like them - same education, same push to go to college and be successful - she taught me I was completely equal to them and just as capable of achieving anything I wanted to. She taught me unconditional love. And, she taught me to be undeniably myself and not care what other people think.


My mother has taught me how to be a good listener, which has served me well both professionally and personally. That is, she taught me to listen in a way that first allows the speaker to feel heard and respected, but also equips me with a better interpretation of the conveyed message beyond the face value of the words.


My mother taught me the most important thing is to cherish family moments. For every second spent is a second you will never get back and despite families are not perfect, we have to enjoy the perfection of our differences.

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So thank you, to our moms and all the moms out there who are teaching invaluable lessons each day. We love you and are so grateful for all you do - Happy Mother's Day!

P.S. If you're a new mom and need some tips on how to manage motherhood and your other full-time job, we've got you covered! Check out these 48 tips from members of our community.

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