How often do you nurture your intellect? The best career advice I can give is to nurture you mind.

Women are expected to nurture families, friends and even ourselves. When we're worn out, we're prompted to pamper ourselves with lavender-infused baths, candles, fluffy towels and comfy dressing gowns.

Our minds don't always get the same attention. Life's events have been such that I've needed hours of baths, massages and pampering these last two years - and it will continue as this year is as full as the last.  House renovations and extensions to accommodate my larger family commence soon.

My diary is filling with exciting and interesting work. Weekends away and interstate vacations are being scheduled. School timetables are crowding out the fridge. Part time jobs are being explored and evaluated against sporting commitments. Everyone in my household appears poised for extreme business!

How easy it would be to allow myself to get caught in the swirl and be hurled from one thing to another. How important it is that I don't. 2007 is the year for extensions of my mind as well as my house.

It's only February and I've registered for two weeks worth of conferences, seminars and training workshops. My discomfort at being in large conference rooms filled with self conscious strangers has been overtaken by excitement at the prospect of hearing new ideas and being challenged to think differently.

Human beings thrive on learning. Our morale, career motivation, enthusiasm and value are enhanced by learning. Women are seldom actively encouraged to attend self training - conferences, seminars and workshops - unless it's considered remedial.

Unless I actively seek out new ideas and thought provoking speakers I feel the same malaise and neglect as when I ignore my need to be pampered with fluff and bubbles. It's too easy to let our busy lives and workplaces fill up all our time. Before it overtakes you - take charge and schedule in some intellectual nurturing.