Day: February 10, 2022

Maxine L. Johnson is an author, life coach, speaker, wife and mother helping women obtain clarity, confidence and influence as they’re taking their lives to the next level. With the demanding schedule of work and home life while navigating relationships with colleagues, friends and family, Maxine emphasizes the importance of self-care; for women to carve out special time for themselves. Whether it be taking a bubble bath, doing a workout, taking a nap or getting your nails done. If you take those moments for yourself, you feel rejuvenated. She is showing women that their influence is a key element to building harmonious relationships. 

Me First- understanding my needs

When Maxine L. Johnson talks about me first, she’s referring to self-care. The importance of taking care of yourself first and understanding what your individual needs are aside from your home and work life. In addition, Maxine also discusses the double standard of women, specifically mothers being mom-shamed for taking time for themselves. It’s always perceived as being selfish and self-centered instead of caring for their child.

She describes, “What happens is we tend to pour from an empty cup because we’re so busy pouring out to everyone else. As female leaders, you’re making sure your business is succeeding, making sure your family is okay as well as your siblings and parents”. Maxine further explains with all of that pouring you become empty. Not only do you become empty and pour from that empty cup, the cup becomes dirty because you never cleaned it or refilled it which eventually leaves a residue. You try to pour from that cup, but it becomes toxic which leads to resentment of what you’re doing and who you’re serving. With resentment, comes frustration then comes anger of feeling others under appreciate you. That deep-seated anguish is the result of not taking the time to take care of yourself.

Being Vulnerable is Powerful

It’s important to be truthful to yourself. When you can be honest with yourself and admit to certain things such as what hurts us, what harms us, our likes and dislikes you can operate in your power. What you didn’t do, what you learned and what you can improve on. Maxine encourages women to be open with their feelings to create better relationships at home. For instance, being vulnerable with your children. Letting them know that parents are human, they make mistakes and it’s learning about trial and error as they go. As her sons got older, Maxine would tell them that she didn’t know everything, but she knew the best she could based on what she knew at the time.

Changing the Atmosphere

Maxine talks about “protecting your peace” to not change a person, but you can change yourself to influence change and the atmosphere around you. Here’s a scenario if you’re in a great mood, had a great day at work and your spouse, colleague, friend or family member is in a terrible mood. You don’t want to be brought down by their negativity because if you’re surrounded by negative energy, you become the negative energy. That’s why you have to protect your peace, your state of mind; it gives you the ability to change your surroundings.

Learn more about Maxine L. Johnson and visit her website here.