While there is no one size fits all approach to how a woman might construct her non linear career, we often hear about the guilt that accompanies any choice she makes. I have found that the most pervasive emotion felt by women who have reconstructed their schedules, their job attributes or career ambitions is actually full blown anxiety.

When there are multiple demands present in a situation, women usually fare very well in managing them. It is when the contribution is delivered outside the usual schedule or location or timeframe that the professional, her peers and her management lose the context of her work and themselves feel uncomfortable - that something is different. And in any situations involving human beings, things that don't fit in create some anxiety. That isn't necessarily bad. First of all, anxiety can be managed when it is acknowledged. It isn't about the quality of the work or number of hours at work. Anxiety is about not fitting in and being accepted. Secondly, the individual has control over this feeling. That is even more empowering than the notion that a company's flexible work plan can construct the perfect schedule for each and every employee.

Who hasn't felt the pressure of having to leave some work on the desk in order to go to a meeting ? This same anxiety is what is felt when leaving that work to go pick up the kids from school. And it is manageable outside the context of flexible work. First, we must separate the feeling from the facts. If we take a moment to recognize and acknowledge the anxiety, we can see that it is an irresponsible choice. The responsible choice is to act like the caring, diligent adult that we are and recognize the limits we have set for each area of our lives. I know setting limits isn't the acceptable thing to do these days, but our peace of mind is at stake if we don't. And the truth is, that moment of transition is not the sum of what we contribute. It is simply a breath we take while changing gears.