" 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 learn over the years, is to make certain efforts and use the great family support network, if we have it." Maznida Mokhtar

3. 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!

4. 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.

5. 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!

7. Some simple tips that I can share

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

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

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

11. Fit in some regular exercise time or recreational activity just to release stress and sweat it out. It
4 would be even better if it can be done as a family. For me, Sunday mornings is that time.

12. If 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
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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.

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

14. 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.

15. Maznida Mokhtar
maznida@skali.net
Chief Financial Officer, SKALI Group