I am a driven person. Dangle a goal in front of my face, and you better believe I will work my behind off to achieve it.

From a young age, I remember carefully listing all my goals and reveling in the satisfaction of having achieved them, whether those goals were to win a spot on the varsity softball team or graduate top of my class. This trait has served me well — in school, in my full-time career, and in parenting. And while my determination is largely to thank for what I have been able to accomplish, I’d never be able to do it all without a little help.

Without a doubt, my first helper was my mom. A strong woman herself who descends from a long line of other strong women, she showed me that it was not only possible to be a working woman — and a good one at that — but that it was also possible to balance having a career with the important task of meeting the needs of her family. As I’ve learned, thanks to her example, it’s no easy feat, but it is feasible to both excel at one’s job and to also provide one’s children with the attention and care they deserve.

I’ve had other helpers along the way, too: teachers, friends, colleagues, and most importantly, my husband. Without their guidance, their understanding, and their assistance, I’d never be able to juggle what I do now: a full-time job outside the home, a budding publishing endeavor, and a growing family. Still, I’d be lying if I said it was always easy.

Many days, I find myself existing in a frenzy, trying to get the kids ready for school while simultaneously looking for lost shoes and dressing myself for work; checking each of my responsibilities to my workplace, personal business, and family off my to-do list; and finding a second to eat and take care of myself. And it is in these moments, when I contemplate giving up on those goals and passions, that I think better of it and call on the helpers in my life: because moms don’t have to work harder. They have to work smarter. And moms who work smarter get stuff done.

So I divvy up the tasks involving the kids with my husband; come up with a plan to prioritize my responsibilities both at my full-time job and my personal business; and grab some quick, easy, and tasty snacks and meals to help me take care of myself on the go. One of those quick, easy, and tasty snacks I’ve recently turned to in my stolen moments throughout the day is Lean Pockets, specifically the Roasted Turkey Bacon & Cheese with a pretzel bread crust, and I’m happy to report … YUM! I can officially add this hot and gooey snack as the newest helper on my list. It has no artificial flavors, is a good source of protein, has 100% real cheese, and tastes great. Also? BACON! It recharges me and satisfies my hunger for something hot, tasty, and delicious, and I feel good about my choice, too, because not only am I eating smarter, but I’m also enjoying it.

Best of all? I can easily pick up this hot, permissible, gooey deliciousness on my way home from work or from shuttling the kids to activities because they’re available at Target, Walmart, and most local grocers for only $2.29 – $2.49.

Pursuing goals isn’t easy, especially when you’re a mom. But with a little determination and reliance upon the helpers, moms don’t have to work harder. They can work smarter. And moms who work smarter get stuff done. Believe it. Plus you can click here for a $1 coupon from Coupons.com

And now it’s time to hear from you! What are your goals, and how do you balance it all as you strive to achieve them? Tell us about it in the comments below and enter to win a $100 Visa gift card! Contest rules and details below.  

Entry Instructions: 

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 8/15/2016 – 10/15/2016

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