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!

Go all out with the throttle wide open at home!!!
It will be worth every minute!!!

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Comment by Samuel Lee Key on September 23, 2011 at 2:50pm: To all, this is a lesson we all learn too late, but always say we are trying to fit it in. How many times have watched a coworker implode in a relationship because he or she spend too much time at work and not enough time at hoem. Yes it is adicting, but like any drug one must learn to say no. This is one thing I stress to our employees family first, work will always be there, if work does not understand then find another job. I had some very good mentors and they all said work is a job, your family is at home. Family is always first.

I the past 30 years I have scene many relationships of coworkers implode because work became an obsession and then work blew up in front of their face because of the stress created by being away from the family. We should take a lesson from the Japanese play book, know the family and if they are strong at home, then they will be stronger at work.

Comment by Tony Provost on June 30, 2011 at 9:42am: Jennifer- WOW!!! I am truly happy for you and your family. Have fun jumping on the trampoline, good luck with your new position. I know you will be a SUPERSTAR!

Comment by NANCY SIMMONS on June 30, 2011 at 9:36am: http://youtu.be/nOK-LcpsO20

Jennifer, I jump on the trampoline too...LOL See video

Comment by Tony Provost on June 30, 2011 at 9:35am: Joe- Your very welcome. Have a great day!

Comment by Tony Provost on June 30, 2011 at 9:33am: Nancy- Our generation, was always told to be responsible.Going back to work, was a responsibility. You are a true trooper in my book. Two weeks after your child was born! You should have been the EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR!!! Have a great fourth.

Comment by Joe Papa on June 30, 2011 at 9:24am: We always need these reminders! Thanks Tony...

Comment by NANCY SIMMONS on June 30, 2011 at 9:16am: A wise dealer once told me...."Nancy, go home to your family...How many people do you know who say "I wish I had worked more hours" on their death bed... He was right...I lost a daughter in 1992 at the age of 4 months old... I went back to work two weeks after I gave birth to her, because the dealership "needed me"! I can never get that time back and have lived with the guilt for 19 years!!!! Great lesson learned people!!!! Thanks Tony...You are the best!!!

Comment by Tony Provost on June 28, 2011 at 1:40pm: Joe- I couldn't agree with you more. Have a great afternoon.

Comment by Joe Hebert on June 28, 2011 at 1:38pm: Tony

This is an excellent point - if you work hard all the time for your family, but you have no time to enjoy what you've worked for with your family, then what's the point!

Comment by Tony Provost on June 27, 2011 at 2:13pm: Mike- Good for you and your family. Thank you for your comments, it truly helps this industry. Have a great day.