WORK-LIFE BALANCEBy

MaznidaMokhtar

For any working woman, especially those who are married and have children, I feel it is

essential to find the right work-life balance for each woman to keep her sanity while at the

same time pleasing the family. Women being women, we tend to take work seriously, and

if not balanced, will continue to work and neglect everything else, especially our families.

A few instances that I’ve learnt over the years, is to make certain efforts and use the great

family support network, if we have it.

I started out my work life with an accounting firm, working long hours but I was still single,

so it did not really matter. I also knew that it was only temporary until I achieved the

professional qualification, then I would go on to other things. So, after that I joined a

merchant bank and got married a year later. That all went very well. The only snag then

was the working hours – which I thought would be improved if I worked for myself. So, after

a two-year slog in the merchant bank, I decided that was enough for me. Little did I know

that as an entrepreneur, your hours are around the clock!

I can’t say that I am happy or sad with the experiences but I feel it has enriched my life into

encountering future challenges and also opened my eyes to the real world of business, which

is an invaluable experience. Through SKALI, we had gone through roller coasters together,

and survived those moments together also. Since then, I have now got 4 children, ranging

from the age of 6 to 11 years, and I have learnt to multitask even better as a working mother.

Like many female entrepreneurs, I achieve work-life balance between my job and my

demanding family, with the combination of a great family support network and a highly

disciplined approach to leaving the office early in order to achieve a measure of work-life

balance. Still, I admit that it took me awhile to find the right formula. After working for 20+

years now, I believe I’ve finally figured it out! My working routine now ensures I have time for

everyone including myself. I try not to leave the office late, so that I have time to wind down

before starting to monitor the children doing their homework. Sometimes there are meetings

outside so I attend those but I usually get home by about 7.30. Then I start monitoring [the

children] doing their homework. By the time I finish with them, it’s almost 10pm. Then I look at

what else needs to be done or I’ll deal with work matters. And of course, give the husband time!

On the weekends, we will fit in some exercise, whilst waiting for the children for their extra-

curricular classes (my children take swimming and tae kwon do classes on the weekends). In

that way, I amwith the family and bonding, but still have my own time.

Some simple tips that I can share

1Try not to be the superwoman at home. In my case, I’ve been blessed as my

husband enjoys cooking and loves to cook in his free time! I’m happy to say that

I don’t feel the need to compete with him in the kitchen.

2There is also no need to be a domestic goddess at home.  If you can afford it, get some domestic help 

in a maid, or daily cleaner. And if you are unable to do that, then not everything has to be perfectly 

shiny and spotless everyday.

3Teach your children to do things for themselves automatically, so that you only need to monitor 

them and not do things for them, e.g. homework, clean up their rooms, make their beds, take the 

dishes to the kitchen after eating, etc.

4 Fit in some regular exercise time or recreational activity just to release stress and sweat it out.  It 

would be even better if it can be done as a family.  For me, Sunday mornings is that time.

5If necessary, send to children over to parents’ houses for sleepover so that you can spend some 

alone time to bond with your spouse without the hassle of the children.  Your parents would be 

happy to spend some quality time with the grandchildren on their own, occasionally.  If they are out 

of town, then arrange for them to have the children over a few days of the school holidays.

6Once all the above is sort of on autopilot, then you can arrange to meet other girlfriends-in-the-

same-boat, for the occasional meal out, or just spend some retail therapy time together.  Women 

need this, to just talk about nothing and everything, and to see that other women are also just like 

you.

I hope you can try these tips though I do realise not all of them are suitable for

everyone. These have worked for me, and I believe, at lease 1 or 2, if not all,

could help you out too.

Thank You

Maznida Mokhtar

maznida@skali.net

Chief Financial Officer, SKALI Group