Last week we kicked off our new Women in Accounting Wednesdays By-line with a portion of the contributions submitted by Liz Scott, our own contributing QBO author, and Amanda Aguillard, our contributing Xero author. They began the series by introducing themselves on a professional basis and then by discussing family and some of the demands that professional women face in meeting the obligations of work and family.
This week Amanda and Liz are back with us to discuss some the the things in their lives that make life better, easier or more manageable. So we ask them, "what apps, devices or techy stuff do you use to stay organized and on-task for work, and do they carry over into your family life?"
Amanda:
Amanda Aguillard
Because there’s no defining line between work and life for me, I really depend on true cloud-based platforms with mobile apps. Slack has been amazing for team communication. I have my two businesses, plus a third strategy group that I collaborate with, and Slack is invaluable because we can organize communications by channel and I’m still constantly connected.
The other app I couldn’t live without is Zoom. As our firm grows, the talent we need (Xero-certified and experience with integrations) tends to be virtual, rather than here in New Orleans. I love Zoom for virtual meetings with staff. I can use it at the office, at home or on my phone, and the integrations with Outlook and Acuity are seamless. I’m working on getting the kids on Zoom so we can talk when they aren’t with me.
Did she really say she was trying to use this App to Zoom-in on her kids? (Murph)
Liz:
At the moment I am loving my smart watch for personal and business. It helps me respond to all the moving parts in my life with a flick of the wrist and a few words. Somehow it seems easier than picking up a phone and creating a long wordy text or email.
I also use tools like Zoom for many of my client meetings which allows me to stay at my desk most of the day, because I seem to be most productive at my desk.
Murph:
I always wonder how busy business women find time to 'manage family time' especially when it comes to meals for their family, because busy kids love to eat. But on the go kids also mean that meal times are not always at 'meal time'. It also means that sometimes busy women must delegate responsibility and promote self-sufficiency.
When I tried to figure out how to ask this topic, it was Liz and Amanda that came up with the perfect question (to which of course they responded). "What life hacks/short-cuts help you the most."
But busy lives shouldn't mean neglecting yourself either, no matter how many responsibilities a professional woman has, so we also ask "what do you do for yourself, especially in terms of health and exercise?"
Liz:
Food delivery! I have totally bought into food delivery of all kinds. I use the Walmart app and get as much paper and shelf goods delivered as possible plus I use Blue Apron and Omaha Steaks.
Hey, don't think Liz doesn't cook....I have tasted some of her fabulous 'home cooking' and it wasn't a packaged meal either. (Murph)
Trust your team, one of my favorite cousins gave me advise about 10 years ago and I have referred to those words many times since, and they are “trust the people around you”. For me this means trust my husband, kids, employees, clients and others around me. One of my favorite books is the “Speed of Trust” which illustrates beautifully how important it is to trust those around.
Amanda:
I love cooking and in my previous married/non-working life, I had a food and travel blog. One thing that I’m slightly obsessed with, no matter how busy I get, is meal planning. I spend about thirty minutes on Sunday morning mapping out our upcoming week, planning meals around it and shopping. People say they don’t have time to cook, but the actual cooking part isn’t what is time-consuming. It’s the decision of what to have and the procuring of the groceries.
I make sure I know which days we have sports practices or other commitments. On the busy days, I’ll throw something in the slow cooker so that it’s ready whenever we are, whether that’s 4:30 or 9:00. I make soups, chili, pulled meat for salads and tacos, and stews in the slow cooker.
Also, I’m a huge fan of quesadillas for the kids. I’ll keep leftovers especially for this. Truly anything is good between two tortillas with cheese. It works for breakfast and snacks too, and I can have one on a plate in five minutes. It’s not the healthiest thing, but for active, teenage kids, it at least gets some protein into them. And they’re easy to eat in the car.
Amanda:
I love to run. It’s “me” time that I rarely get. All I need are running shoes and headphones. Fifty minutes later, I come home a new person. I make sure that my phone is loaded with podcasts or audio books, so I zone out and get some personal development time in, too.
For a while I was traveling every week, and my favorite part was to explore new cities on foot. I have stumbled across the most beautiful vistas and delicious breakfast diners just because I got out of the hotel.
Liz:
Exercise...Ha! Well, I try. Really, I do.
Thank goodness for technology. I have an awesome phone app, 8fit which allows me to work out or do yoga when I have time.
Murph:
Of course when it comes right down to it, we want to know why it is that these two ambitions hard working professional women and mothers do what they do. So we ask, "what motivates your love for such a fantastically successful but busy, busy life?"
Liz:
My rewards come in two forms. One, I get to be a mom and wife first. I get to be homeroom and Friday folder stuffing mom. Second, I get to work with some of the most fabulous people out there – small business owners. They have so much passion and love of what they do that I find it motivating to keep trying every day to lead, train and guide them to a more successful lifestyle.
As I look back after the holidays, I am happy because after all the presents and hot chocolate there is a pot of gold at the end of my rainbow. The treasure is my daily life which is fulfilled by an amazing work life filled with friends and opportunity.
Amanda:
Five years ago, I had no idea what my life was going to end up looking like, but I truly couldn’t imagine anything better than what I have right now. I love the work I get to do, and I am present for the years I have left with my children.
My kids know that I work hard and I’m not able to do every single thing like I could when I was married, but I make the important things. They know that if something is important to them, I will make it happen.
I know that they will look back on these years and be proud of what I have built. And they will know that they were at 'the center of it all.'
Murph
Honestly, I could not have hoped for a better start to our Women in Accounting Wednesday By-line. These two magnificent women have opened-up and shared from their minds, hearts and souls with you, our readers.
Now it's time for you to share as well. We already have had several women express interest in participating in this series, but we are looking for more; after all 52-weeks are a lot of stories to share. I want to encourage you to simply post 'Count me in' within the comment section of this, or any future Women in Accounting Wednesday article.
Your comment will record your email address in confidence, and we will then reach out to you with our Women in Accounting Wednesday's questionnaire, making it easy for you to share your work, home and life experiences with our readers. I look forward to your story.