Alexis Rodriguez is killing it, frankly. The mom of two boasts more then 15 years’ experience in fashion and beauty public relations, working with brands like Diane von Furstenberg Beauty, Stila, and Givenchy before she headed over to makeup behemoth Bobbi Brown. There, she’s spent the last 8 years overseeing PR initiatives in North America on behalf of Bobbi Brown, the woman and the brand. In addition, her blog, The PR Closet, is a wealth of advice and info for those interested in pursuing a career in beauty or fashion communications. I found myself wondering how she’s able to manage mom life and an incredible career while looking flawless, down to her Bobbi-beautiful pop of pink on her cheeks, so I asked her to contribute her 5 Rules For Life. Here they are, in Alexis’ words.

1. Have respect…

a. …for yourself. Invest in yourself. Take the time to do things that you want to do and forget for a moment the things you need to do. I easily lose myself in my family as a mom of two under 2, and also in work, as my job is very demanding. I now make it a priority to carve out “me” time to find myself again. I work out because I have to and staying healthy is not an option, it is a must. But I also get a mani/pedi and blow-out regularly to make me feel good, and make sure to see my girlfriends as often as I can (which is not nearly as often as I’d like). The time I spend doing things for me makes me better at doing things for others.

b. …for others. Be open minded and accepting of other people’s differences. Treat people with kindness. Help those in need. Try to give back when you can. And never burn bridges if you can help it. Especially professionally. It seems like such a given to say, “be nice,” but I think we all need to put ourselves in other people’s shoes more often and practice empathy, sympathy, and plain old respect.

c. …for the Earth. Nothing irks me more than seeing someone throw garbage on the street. The streets are not your trashcans. Don’t litter. Don’t let your faucet run. Recycle. Mother Nature is fierce and she will seek revenge and correct what we are doing to her. Be mindful and go green when you can.

2. Slow Down.

Since having children – and because I still work full time – I found myself rushing through life because there is always something to do. It is because of my kids, however, that I have now learned to live more in the moment and simply slow down to enjoy it all. That also means putting the phone down and really being present. My overdose of chill pills has resulted in a newfound appreciation of life’s greatest moments… watching the waves on the beach in the early morning with my son, pushing him on the swings, rocking my daughter to sleep, reading to both of them before bed…I can go on and on. I now won’t let go of the moments until they do. Less rushing and more relishing is my new mantra.

3. Ask for help.

The Beatles said it best… help, I need somebody! In my daily life, I really do need somebody to help… and often. As a full-time working mom, I have come to accept that it’s okay to ask for help. In fact, it’s a huge relief to have help, as it takes a village to do most things. My inner control freak used to want to handle most things on my own, but juggling a career, marriage, motherhood, personal time, and social life makes that virtually impossible without good help. I know that I definitely could not get through the day without the incredibly talented women with whom I have the pleasure of working with, and at home, my husband and my children’s caretaker are my lifelines. I have asked family, friends, and neighbors to pitch in and lend a hand here and there, and I have NEVER regretted it. Know your limits and never be ashamed to ask for help when you need it.

4. Speak up.

I have worked for some incredibly powerful and accomplished women, and one thing they have admitted that they respect about me is that I have a voice, and I use it. However, I always try to remain respectful. There is a difference between being assertive and being aggressive, and the former is more likely to work in your favor. Assert yourself in both your personal and professional lives. Ask for what you want. The worst someone can say is no. Have an opinion and share it. The worst someone can say is that they disagree. At least you are being true to yourself and your convictions, and people will always know where you stand.

5. Put things into perspective.

I really try not to sweat the small stuff. It is hard, but if you let every little thing stir you up, you’ll live in a perpetual state of disappointment and negativity. Patience and understanding are not overrated. I am always trying to remove myself from the trivial so that I can see the bigger picture. This is especially important when you have kids. I cannot get upset over every spill, break, or mess. I’ll go mad. I really only get upset now over something that concerns the kids’ safety and health. Everything else can pretty much be laughed off. The same goes for work. I take my job seriously, but have decided to stress less and worry only about the things I can absolutely control. The rest will sort itself out.

Bonus rule: Sleep is not overrated.

I will not wait to sleep when I’m dead. I will sleep now, as much as I possibly can. Yes, I say this as I draft this post at 2AM and am sleeping in the 3 hour intervals my infant allows here and there, but I loved sleep before I had kids who have robbed me of those precious, uninterrupted eight hours a night. Sleep helps our bodies repair, regulates our mood, and just feels damn good. Sleep in, take naps…sleep for those who can’t!

Thanks, Alexis! Stay tuned for more 5 Rules For Life.

 “Five Rules” is a series on Rouge18 in which I ask others to share their five rules for life about anything and everything. You can learn a lot about a person by reading which five things govern their actions, no?