Why Do You Work? Understanding Your Motivations as a Working Mother

Returning to work after maternity leave is a deeply personal and often complex decision. While financial necessity is understandably a key driver for most, it’s rarely the only factor. Understanding your deeper motivations - beyond your salary can provide clarity, confidence, and resilience as you navigate this transition.

It’s an Emotional and Practical Balancing Act:

The return to work tends to bring a mix of emotions: excitement, guilt, fulfilment, and self-doubt. Many women question their ability to manage the demands of both career and family life. Some find themselves wondering if it's even worth it, particularly when childcare costs take a significant bite out of their earnings. But work isn’t just about financial gain it’s also about personal fulfilment, professional growth, and identity.

Taking a bit of time to really understand those motivations which are true and personal to you, can be hugely valuable when you have a tricky day – perhaps your child was unwell but you still had to leave to get in work for a meeting - which went badly anyway, and then the train got cancelled on the way home – I know I have had many of those days, where it just started to feel like ‘it’s not worth it’…this is when you need to dig deep, remember why, on a good day, you are motivated by your work, and pick yourself up for a new day tomorrow.

What Drives You?

Our motivations for working generally fall into two categories:

• Intrinsic motivations - the internal drivers that bring a sense of purpose, challenge, or passion.
• Extrinsic motivations - external factors such as financial security, job stability, and career progression.

Each person’s mix of motivations is unique, and they often shift over time. Recognising what truly drives you can help smooth the rough days and reaffirm your decision to work on those difficult days.

Your Personal Compass

Take a bit of time to really consider:

• What aspects of work bring you satisfaction? Fun? Growth?
• How does working align with your long-term goals?
• What example do you want to set for your children?

We explore these questions in more depth in our MATRI programme, helping you uncover your core motivations and build confidence in your choices. Through guided exercises and coaching, our members gain a clearer understanding of their professional identity and how to balance it with motherhood

Keep Evolving

Your motivations and ambitions may evolve as your family grows, and that’s okay. The key is to check in with yourself regularly, ensuring that your work aligns with your current needs and aspirations.

I believe it IS absolutely possible to have a fulfilling career and be an engaged, present and fulfilled parent, it just takes a bit of support in the right places, clear expectations of you, (especially from yourself!), and an understanding of priorities and balance.