Meet Dr. RJ Verwayne | Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Executive Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. RJ Verwayne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. RJ, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work-life balance is both a mystery and a necessity, so much so that some say that it doesn’t exist. I beg to differ. As a business owner, wife, and mother, balance is a must and I had no choice but to figure it out. Like many other women, I actually enjoy my career. I look forward to complex problem solving and the fast-paced life of a CEO. I also love to watch football with my family, cook on Sundays, and cuddle with my kids whose legs are almost longer than mine.

The primary method I’ve used to achieve balance is to delegate. Often, women automatically assume multiple roles out of habit and tradition. We tend to pile tasks on without taking anything off. Balance can certainly be achieved but executive women should remember, “just because you CAN do a lot of things doesn’t mean that you should”. One tip for women is to ask themselves, what is the cost of this? I challenge all women to participate in high-value activities, which will be different for every individual. For example, a high-value activity for me is sitting around with my family with no errands or tasks for anyone. That doesn’t happen often, so when there’s an opportunity to “relax”, I do everything I can to make it happen. Other high-value activities might include vacation, spa treatments, rest, brunch with friends, exercising, prayer and meditation.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As an executive coach and clinical psychologist of over 15 years, I have worked with thousands of women helping them uncover hidden issues that get in the way of reaching their full potential. What I’ve found is that high performers are simply exhausted emotionally, physically, and mentally. I believe that everyone has a purpose but so many are so much so on autopilot that they miss out. As a CEO and a perpetual high performer, I learned that I need to lead by example. I ask my clients to do hard things, so I do hard things. I advise my clients to have a coach and a therapist, so I have a coach and a therapist. I want women across the world to know that balance is possible and that self-care should be a way of life. Having it all is possible. But it’s nearly impossible to achieve this alone. I help executives, particularly women of color, eliminate stress, anxiety, and burnout so that they can have the time and energy to live their best-balanced lives.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have lived in Atlanta for over twenty years and I am still in love with this city. From the parks and rivers, to the museums, to the belt line, to Centennial Olympic park, to the National Center of Civil and Human Rights, there is something to do every single day. All first-timers should grab a city tour pass inclusive of the Trap Museum. After a few days of completing the tour, it’s then time to focus completely on the food. It’s all about the soul food and the small businesses. And finally, before leaving, it is a must to spend some time at a few of our parks. There are so many to choose from.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to shout out my husband, Adrian Verwayne. I have a lot of ideas and innovative thoughts to implement, some of which require me to be physically away from home and others that require me to be laser-focused and locked away in my office for extended periods of time. No matter how extreme my ideas are, Adrian encourages me and also steps in to do the extra parenting work that is required regardless of what I have going on. Without his father of the year tactics, my job would be unnecessarily difficult. Instead, I get to enjoy every moment.

Website: www.askdrrj.com

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Other: www.executiveburnoutbook.com