You Need a Wife!

For many, many years men have had multiple opportunities for success by climbing the “Corporate Ladder”. As most of you know, a major part of anyone's success in the workplace is concentration. Dedicating oneself to the task at hand and producing a favorable outcome. Part of a man's success, I believe, is that they do not have to worry about their home life as it takes care of itself. Men can focus on the business at hand.

In my mind, the Corporate World and the Home World are at opposite extremes. While males dominate the Corporate World, females dominate the Home. And, while we have made tremendous strides in our Board Room power, we have not abdicated much power at home. In spite of this, women are quickly gaining equal footing with men in the workplace. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says 50 percent of managers and 23 percent of the nation's CEO's are women. However, almost all Corporate Females and Female Business Owners will tell you they still have the same duties at home (or a bit smaller) as they did when they did NOT work.

Being a woman, however, it occurred to me recently that while I certainly do not have it made, I have made certain arrangements that make my life easier - make me appear to be "SuperWoman". I actually can get dinner ready, handle all the child care, shop and put together tremendous evenings of entertaining (I just had my in-laws over) and manage a company full time. However, I have a secret and this secret is what I wanted to share with you - GET A WIFE!

My wife is at home cooking dinner or cooking for an elaborate get together; cleaning the house; handling child care including pick up and delivery for soccer games, doctor's appointments and school events - she also does the shopping! While in the past men have had the opportunity to focus on work, in the future, women will have that opportunity. Did you know that by 2010, Women Will Account for 50% of US Private Wealth*.

Why can't we have it all?

While doing it all and having it all are not the same thing, a smart woman knows how to delegate. I have had the opportunity to hire a women who has the responsibility of taking care of my home life. I have delegated that to her so that when I get home I get to spend much of my time with my family.

While you may not be in a position to hire a wife (they can be expensive - ask any husband), you can delegate some of your home work and make it easier on yourself. I really don't miss doing the laundry. I never, ever miss cleaning. I still get the opportunity, on occasion, to put together a fancy dinner but I don't HAVE to do it every night. Why not hire a cleaning lady - even if only once a month? Why not go out to dinner or get carry-out a couple of times a week? You can also make tremendous frozen meals at the new Social Suppers or Let's Dish! and they are not that much more expensive than regular meals. Heck, hire someone once a week to come and pick up the house, straighten up and vacuum (or even take the kids). HyVee offers Internet Shopping - you order online and pick up or, for $15 they deliver. You really have to say to yourself, "Why not?"

All women, each and every one of us are "ducks on a pond" - seemingly calmly gliding through life, while paddling frantically underneath the water. Delegate so that you don't have to paddle so hard - so that you have energy to swim with the kids or have a night on the town with your significant other. After all, isn't that why we are working so hard?