This past weekend me and a fellow Toastmaster Scott Nichols competed in separate speaking competitions. As usual Scott rose to the occasion. During his brief speech Scott spoke about how he sought out finding the woman of his dreams..his wife, the love of his life who he is celebrating 13 years of marriage with. His speech resonated w/ the audience and painted a picture of his undying desire for his wife. On numerous occasions in different speeches Scott has spoken about his family, their vacations, time together, funny moments and challenging times.
Like an employee dedicated to his job, Scott wakes up each day to put in dedicated hours with his wife and daughters. He spends countless hours watching Disney movies, priceless moments spent camping, and irreplaceable moments spent learning valuable lessons about being a husband and father.
He is passionate and dedicated to the billet of husband and father. He doesn't complain about the hours, he reaps the benefits of his labor, and constantly invests his time, energy and focus with his wife and daughters like co-workers, or employees he values and really wants to stay with the company.
We work so hard to reach the top of the ladder in a company or industry to have a nice home and pay for the nice things we want for ourselves and our family. Too often we start sacrificing our time with the family we say we're dedicated to in order to be more successful at work. Over time many of us become successful at work and unsuccessful at home. It's requires strategic balance, and a strict management of priorities to be and remain successful at home ...and at work.
If we don't respond with dedication and respect the discipline it takes to maintain both a family and career we will soon find ourselves fighting to prove how much we really love the position we failed to show up for.
Be dedicated to the ones you love, the ones no job, promotion, or seasonal overtime can replace. We all can't be a Scott Nichols, but we certainly can improve on what we did yesterday as a husband, wife , father or mother.
What are you willing to do to be better to those that count the most?
Success comes from finding a way, not an excuse.
I would love to hear what you think. Please share your thoughts by using the comment block.
I've heard it said, no one on their death bed ever wish they had spent more time at the office. Seeking an effective work-family life balance is a worthwhile goal.
ReplyDeleteBrian , true indeed !! Let's work hard toward maximizing that family time to reduce the heavy weight we may have on our shoulder during our last days.
DeleteScott Nichols matters because he applies the Law of Priorities and Sacrifice in his life! He found a way to balance his responsibilities by loving his wife and spending quality time with her and the kids, and still take care of business!
ReplyDeleteWe all want to make a difference in the world and in other people's lives but most of the time we don't realize that the Wife/Husband, Kids, and Grand-kids that we have are all gifts from God. What a responsibility!!! They should always be our first priority.
We take for granted that they will all be with us tomorrow or the day after and then when something bad happens, our 'would have', 'could have', and 'should have's' will not change the situation.
I almost lost my husband when he was shot in the chest in a car-jacking attempt and that made me realize just how important 'now' is. Do whatever you can in the 'moment' that you have. Over time, we tend to forget about the near death experience by getting pulled back into the busyness of life again. We need to do a daily check.
It's not always about the quantity of time you spend together but more about setting the time aside to spend together and then doing it to the best of your ability.
If we get up in the morning and decide to allow 'LOVE' to take charge and do it's work in and through our lives; nothing will be impossible, as God says, "Love conquers all!"
Well said !! I appreciate your well thought out comment. I will surely work harder to apply that love rule whenever I'm faced with opposition.
DeleteThanks Luke! I just spoke from my heart and also reminded myself of doing a daily check :)
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