Success doesn’t have to be a sacrifice

WORDS BY Kelly Van Nelson Managing Director of Operations Serco Asia Pacific serco.com/aspac

Recently, I was invited to be the keynote speaker at the Second HR Women in Defence and Defence Industry Leadership Summit and was provided with the brief of covering the convergence of career, motherhood, and creative passions as a writer.

As someone who works full-time as a senior executive at Serco Asia Pacific, has two children and a husband who travels as frequently as I do, and has now had seven books published, three of which became number one bestsellers, the topic could not have been better matched.

For years I called myself a ‘juggler’. I was managing three compartmentalised worlds as an executive, writer, and mum, as separate silos, and I was regularly dropping the ball. Eventually, I had the profound realisation that we can only truly be authentic to ourselves if we embrace every aspect of life as one whole person.

With the guidance of a very good business mentor, I collapsed the walls between my ‘worlds’ and began merging my day more effectively, opening up in forums about the different sides of my life that all made up the one whole person I am today. I’ve never looked back.

I now prioritise the important things, rather than sacrificing them, including scheduling in writing sessions and spending quality time with my family.

Everything we do is a choice. Where we work, how hard we chase our goals, who we spend time with, and what we do to unwind. I am my work and my work is me, but I have intentionally sought out a career with Serco that fits my values, goals, lifestyle and strengths, and made it happen, so it’s not a sacrifice. My work is a well-considered choice, just as carving out time to give sustenance to my passion as a writer allows my side hustle to thrive, just as choosing to being fully present in the moment with my family allows us to remain connected as a solid, loving unit even when we are apart.

Women no longer have to choose between pursuing a career or raising a family. We should not feel the need to compromise on our passions. Success doesn’t have to be a sacrifice. We can unapologetically have it all and be fearless in the pursuit of authenticity in living the one life we choose. This is our time. ■