Author empowers women

Life can be a juggle.

Work, family, friends, and finance are balls tossed in the air as the person below works hard to keep them spinning.

This is the analogy used in Lisa O’neill’s new book, Juggling in High Heels, to describe the chaos of life.

But the Levin-based author, motivator and stylist, believes women especially can juggle everything, do what they want, when they want - just in moderation.

O’neill was ‘‘marinated in self belief from very young’’ as her father constantly encouraged her to fight for her dreams.

But the art of juggling became harder as life progressed. She had three children under 4, was working and often travelling to and from Australia. ‘‘It was insane, just insane.’’ So O’neill took a step back and evaluated the important parts of her life.

She realised she did not care about cleaning or vacuuming or feeling pressured to please others.

Spending time with her children, putting food on the table and her career were the ‘‘big picture stuff’’, she said.

So O’neill came up with a 90-day system to help her focus and find balance.

‘‘I split the year into four, which fit in with the school terms. So one term I might be focused on the kids winter sport, one term I might be travelling, one I might just be at home.’’

She said her system might not work for everyone, but for her it gave structure to an otherwise chaotic and fast-paced life.

O’neill has worked as a speaker and stylist and has mentored people who want more from their lives.

Juggling in High Heels is her second book which entwines her story with advice for readers.

Topics include style, sleep, happiness, life management, and personal development.

She said one of the biggest things women can forget in the midst of chaos, is how to love themselves.

‘‘They think, ‘oh my god, I’m not good enough’. They just don’t believe in themselves.’’

O’neill hopes to inspire those women to change their attitudes to work hard and make the most out of their lives.

‘‘I strongly believe you can have anything, do anything. You can have it all, and do it all.’’