Cheat Them out of Time… Then Give Them the Leftovers? Why?
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!
It will be worth every minute!!!
Comment
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Comment by Tony Provost on September 24, 2011 at 2:48pm
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jim- thanks for your story. I knew when I wrote this, it would shock alot of brainwaves and heart strings.
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Comment by Jim Richter on September 24, 2011 at 2:35pm
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How true! My wife and I often joke that we've been married for 40 years because I've only been there for half of them. I missed my son's first birthday (overseas assignment) and numerous birthdays before I came to the same realization; this has got to stop! Fortunately I caught it in time, but I know a lot of people in our business who didn't, and paid the ultimate price for it. Do you live to work? or work to live?
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Chris Saraceno- Thanks for the promotion. Hope all is well. I AM READY TO DO A LIVE, conference call or video, for your group, whenever you are ready!! Have a great weekend.
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Ric- Family knows, when you are working hard, to make a better life and future for them, their is lattitude. The fact that you are raising a second family, making sacrifices, says alot of great things about your character. Thanks for reading this post.
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Diane- It says alot, that you and your husband were able to overcome the everyday challenges in this business, stay together, find that time is now something that is a priority. I am happy for both of you. Enjoy your time together.
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Comment by Ric McCoy on September 23, 2011 at 10:19pm
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Boom! What a straight up, in your face post! I confess... This is my story too. I've been blessed with 4 daughters, 2 bio (26 & 20) + 2 adopted from China, both age 6. The older girls definitely received allot leftovers. I'm doing my best to provide our little girls a "priceless" home life. I can only pray that others will read this post and be compelled to make their family "priceless" too. Thanks Tony
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Comment by Diane Anderson on September 23, 2011 at 5:54pm
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I have worked in the auto industry since 1991 & my husband retired from sales after 30-years, and as we have grown older (and wiser) we now realize that far too often, we put work first. As I mentioned, he is now retired and a little over a year ago, I made the change to work at another dealership. My current employer stresses to each and every one of us, frequently -- family first, we DO NOT want you to be burned out, you MUST take your day off to relax and enjoy the day with family -- quite refreshing in this business. Your post is a GREAT reminder of prioritizing what is important!
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Comment by Samuel Lee Key on September 23, 2011 at 4:04pm
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Tony, when we are young we think we can do anything. As we grow older we learn how. Too bad we can not teach our children the lessons we learned and the experiance we have and then let them run our businesses while take time off.
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Samuel- Family is truly the purpose, for all of the hard work! Everything is in reverse. We need the time and the extra money, when we are young. thanks for the comments.
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Mark- Thanks for looking thru my blogs and picking out this one. You are the man with the financial plan! Talk to you soon.
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