Crystal Srsich Designs

As a mom, I get burnt out, run down, and just plain wiped sometimes! I don't want to be positive, get that out of my face. I don't want to talk, sshhhh. I don't want to anything, and don't even get me started on solving EVERYONE's problems!

We run into problems everyday in our personal and professional lives. I thought really deeply about what keeps me grounded when the world feels like it is spinning too fast for me to keep up.

"Mom's 5 Tips on Keeping Your Ish Together".

1. I get to.
I am a healthy, able-bodied adult with 4 children and a husband who depend on me. Life got hard quick and it's easy to lose sight of what really matters. I woke up this morning - some people didn't. My daughter gave me kisses this morning - some don't even see their children anymore. I had food in fridge to feed my kids and clean clothes to send them to school in - not everyone has that luxury. Count your blessings.

2. Repurpose and Reuse.
If it worked before, it will work again. This doesn't just go for content. We can repurpose and reuse the lessons we teach and learn on a daily basis. This is a skill I am teaching my children. I share things that I have learned in school, on the job, and living life in general on a level that they can understand and apply at their ages. This works in a professional setting as well. Getting your team altogether on the same page can be daunting, consistent communication and reminders and sticking to the methods that work pays off in the end.

3. Divide and Conquer!
LAUNDRY. If that is all I have to say for you to feel overwhelmed, this one is for you. Looking at a mountain of laundry with a screaming toddler, 3 older kids asking for snacks, stickers, and markers while their clean laundry sits unfolded, two assignments due, and dinner on the stove can be a lot to handle at one time. So can day to day tasks in just about anyone's life. Divide the tasks into manageable micro-goals to better preserve your time and energy. Tell them kids no, throw a load in while dinner is cooking and handle those assignments while you're eating👌!

4. Pick your battles.
Is that spilled coffee going to ruin your entire day? Did the crayon marks on the wall really take THAT much effort to erase? Is that task your boss gave you last week you let sit on the back burner really the cause of your stress? Don't lose your cool over things that are either preventable or easy to fix. Fix it and move on. If it's your fault, accept that responsibility and make it right. Complaining or grumbling about it doesn't get it done.

And last, but not least...

5. YOU'RE GROUNDED!
Ground yourself. Seriously. Everyone looks to you to keep yourself calm, know when you need a break. Go to your room, lock up your electronics, and discipline yourself to sit in quiet, read a book, or just enjoy being alive. You won't regret it!

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Hey everyone! I'm so excited to share what I've been working on for my Content Strategy, Development, and Marketing course. For my project this month, I've chosen Crunchyroll as a case study and have been documenting my journey in a series of featured posts.

I've been doing a ton of research into their audience, their mission, and their business model. My course projects, which I've been sharing in the featured section of my LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystalsrsich/), go into detail about why a blog that recaps and reviews anime would be a great addition to their content lineup.

This series will continue until the end of the month, and I'll be officially launching my personal blog on October 3rd, with recaps and reviews of your favorite anime found on Crunchyroll! Stay tuned for more updates and the final launch!

Just a quick note that these projects are college course assignments and are not related to Crunchyroll's operations.

I've been thinking a lot about the fear people have of sharing their personal lives at work. So many of us keep our two worlds separate, believing that being "unprofessional" means showing who we are outside of the office. But I feel the opposite is true. I am able to do my job with confidence and skill because of my personal experiences, not despite them.

My four children and my husband aren’t a distraction; they're the reasons I'm a better professional today.

My patience? I learned that from one of my kids who needed a little extra time and understanding. The authority in my voice? I found that while guiding another. I've become a master of conflict resolution by mediating disagreements between siblings, and a creative problem-solver by navigating the endless surprises that come with a busy household. I'm able to manage my time effectively because my home falls apart if I don't. And the ability to follow up in a kind and effective manner? I mastered that because my husband needs consistent, friendly reminders.

I am not afraid or ashamed to share my personal life. My husband and my kids are my foundation. Without them, I wouldn't have the skills and perspective that make me successful in my career.

Don't be afraid to let your personal story be a part of your professional one. I'm curious to hear your thoughts. What parts of your life outside of work have shaped the person you are on the job?