It has been a personnel tendency, to spend so much intensified time in the work place. Being on time to learn, try to help others, giving my all out energy so we could have success. No matter what, you just want the best for everyone. When the customer keeps you late, it was always okay.  Someone needs a ride home 15 minutes out of your way, no problem. The manufacturer, calls at closing time, keeps you an extra hour, perfectly fine.  At the end of every day, you feel like you have put out 100% plus more.

Now, you have just put in a 12 hour day. You have arrived, you are home.  You can’t wait to put that same energy out there for the family right? Willing to do whatever it takes. 

Why would we give our career family 12 hours a day, all out energy, our undivided attention, then come home for 4 hours, and give our family an hour or two, of whatever we have left in the tank?

Remember, in our business one year turns into five in a flash. Our children, start first grade and bam, we are at their High School Graduation, with tears in our eyes, asking ourselves, where did the time go?

We have to pay attention to this business, things change daily. We also, have to pay this same attention to our spouses and children, they change daily too.  You need to get to those soccer games, the dance recitals. Through personal experience, girls need their fathers so much to help guide their emotions, so they can make good choices, as they get older.  Being in their lives, to read books when they are little, turns into texting them three times a day, when they are in junior high. They need to have training too. I always explain to my daughter, who is now 13, I know you are a great young lady, who makes good choices. It is not you, but the situation that you can put yourself in, that could be in question.

FACT:  I have a 28 year old DAUGHTER, who has a son. That makes me a Grandfather. I have a wonderful wife who has been both the mother and the father for our children. In many situations, I have cheated them out of too much time and they have gotten the leftovers, whatever I had left at the end of every day. 

That being said, if I am not working, I am with the family.

I will not be at my 13 year olds High School Graduation, with tears running down my face, asking myself, “Where did the time go?”  I will be at her graduation, with tears running down my face, thanking God that I was able to be a significant part of her life.

The business is worth millions but the family is PRICELESS!!!

In closing, you can be the best in this business, with time and energy. Be the best in your family business, with the same intensity and positive energy.

Do not cheat them out of anymore time and do not let them experience just the leftovers!