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Redefining “Having It All”: A New Season of Presence for Ambitious Mothers
By Danielle Campo McLeod
We’ve all heard the phrase: “You can have it all.”
And maybe we’ve even worn it like a badge of honour—convinced that if we just planned well enough, pushed hard enough, and sacrificed the right things at the right time, we could balance the boardroom, the bedtime stories, the workouts, the emails, the meetings, the muffins, the milestones. But lately, I’ve found myself reflecting on what having it all really means. As I’ve paused to soak up summer with my children—watching their eyes widen at the flicker of a firefly, laughing with them under the sun, hearing their imaginations run wild—I’ve realized something:
Maybe having it all isn’t about doing everything.
Maybe it’s about being all in—right here, right now.
As driven women, we are often pulled in countless directions. The tension is real: Do I miss the soccer game to make the meeting? Or do I miss the meeting to cheer from the sidelines? Each decision feels like a sacrifice. But what if the key isn’t perfection, but presence? What if success isn’t found in the juggle, but in the intentionality behind the choice? Whether I’m leading a project, preparing a keynote, or chasing down a toddler who refuses to nap, I’m learning that the most powerful thing I can do is show up fully—heart, mind, and spirit.
Here’s what I’m holding onto in this season of life—and what I want to share with every woman living the “all” lifestyle:
1. Presence is the new power.
You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be where you are. In the meeting, focus. In the kitchen, listen. On the field, cheer. Multitasking might be a survival tool, but presence is the secret weapon.
2. There is no perfect balance—only meaningful rhythm.
Some days, work will demand more. Other days, your child’s needs will eclipse the deadline. Life isn’t a scale—it’s a dance. Give yourself permission to shift your weight from one foot to the other without guilt.
3. The right choice is the one you make with intention.
You will face moments when something has to give. Instead of agonizing over the “what ifs,” trust that when you make a decision from your values—not your fears—you are choosing right. Then release the guilt and embrace the moment.
4. Tiny moments matter more than we realize.
The way your child beams when you watch them catch a ball. The conversation at bedtime. The firefly in the backyard. Don’t underestimate the power of the small. They are often the very moments that become everything.
5. Define “all” on your own terms.
Having it all doesn’t mean all at once. And it certainly doesn’t mean doing it like anyone else. Maybe your “all” is running a business and running to preschool pickup. Maybe it’s writing a book between dance recitals. Maybe it’s simply waking up every day and showing up with heart. That’s enough. That’s more than enough.
We are not meant to split ourselves in half to meet the expectations of a world that tells us we need to do more, be more, give more. We are meant to live fully in the moments we choose.
So, to every ambitious mother out there: You are doing enough. You are choosing wisely. And you already have it all—when you choose to be all in.
Website: daniellecampo.com
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