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robertjameshomeservices · 5 years

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Is Family More Important Then Business?

“Of course they are!”

I hear you all proclaim!

But are you really walking your talk?

What did you do today, that put your family life ahead of your business life? What little step did you take that was consistent with developing a true work/family life balance ?

The little steps each day decide the long-term balance .

Robert James and James Home Services: If the direction has been decided, the foundations laid, and the team is in place? Now, its time to walk the talk. To achieve success your actions, have to be congruent with your long-term desired outcome. It starts with the little things that you do every single day. You have to do what you said you would do.

Creating your Balance

If your son or daughter is having their first day at school, be there to experience the journey. Book your family into your diary first, then the accountant. It’s the little steps each day that create your balance.

Some of those decisions will take time to become clear, but if you stay in free-fall mode you will constantly find yourself going full speed but with no direction.

If you have made a definite decision, then your daily actions have to reflect that decision. If you plan to expand into a new market, do it – don’t just think about it. If you have to remove an employee, act now.

Your actions speak louder than any words, although words are also very important. Create daily habits that are congruent with the balance you are heading towards. If you have to make changes, make them today.

As the leader of the business and family, the responsibility to be the example to those around you is at times an honour and at times a burden, and sometimes both. Your children see what you do, the good and bad. You are their example of how a person should behave. They will copy or react to your example. This parent gig comes with no manual and a heap of responsibility.

Setting the example at home

As a parent, I strive to be the example of the character traits that I wish for my children to adopt. It does not always go to plan.

When I make a mistake, I always make it a point to take the time to explain that what I did was wrong and discuss with them what I should have done instead.

I recall very clearly one time, back when I was a single Dad raising my three eldest kids, when Hayden was 10, Cameron 9 and Nadine 5. I had not been separated from their mother very long. We were all still getting used to the new routine. It was a typical Monday morning. Monday mornings just always seem to be a challenge; three young kids all dragging their feet to get ready for school.

I was really feeling the pressure to keep the balance of the business and family. The two boys were not being very cooperative this particular morning – neither of them really ever showed a lot of enthusiasm for school. This day they both seemed more focused on annoying each other than anything else. On top of this, of course we were running late. I said to them both many times, ‘Please stop – we are running late. I need both of you to just get ready to go to school.’ I managed to get myself and Nadine prepared to leave, but the boys were still not ready, and, even better, were still arguing with each other.

That was it; I lost it! I yelled in the loudest, angriest voice I think they had ever heard from me. They both jumped up, ran to their rooms in fear, and got themselves ready in what had to have been world record time. It is interesting how kids seem to know exactly how to push a parent to the edge of the line, but also know when they’ve crossed it.

Sure, I finally got them to cooperate, but at what cost? As we were driving to school there was dead silence in the car. I felt terrible. My own awareness was screaming in my ear that losing it was not a good way to behave. So, I pulled over, even though we are already running late for school. I apologised for losing it and explained why I needed them to cooperate when getting ready for school, especially on Mondays.

I explained that I was doing my best as a Dad to get everything done, and that it was really hard for me. I told them that I would get better at it, but I needed their help. We talked about why I should not have lost my temper, and how they shouldn’t lose their temper either.

I pointed out to them how on weekends, when we were going to the horse events, they were always great and worked as a team to get us there on time, with no problems at all. I said I needed them to work together the same way on school days. They all agreed they would do their best to get ready for school each morning.

From that day on, no more school morning problems. They all responded to the honesty.

Setting the example at work

The same mentality needs to be carried into your business culture.When you walk into the office, bring your A-game.

If you want an enthusiastic, pragmatic, motivated and professional team, you need to walk the talk of an enthusiastic, pragmatic, motivated and professional leader.

Even if you find yourself dealing with some heavy family challenges, it is not an excuse to unload emotionally on your staff.

Robert James and James Home Services: If you find yourself dealing with the tough family stuff – sick kids, divorce, or health issues for yourself or a family member – take the time to leave those things outside the office door. That way, you can focus on the team and tasks that can take your business to the other side. And if you’re having a really bad day you can certainly delegate tasks to team members to lighten your load.

I actually found work became my ‘time out’ period when I was dealing with the tough family stuff. You will find it can actually be mentally refreshing to be 100% focused on the business at these times.

If you truly plan to grow a business that is in balance with your family needs, you should have the same attitude towards your team.

Be flexible enough to allow your team to balance their own work and family responsibilities. We had a service business where over 80% of the office staff were women. The majority of them were mothers with school-age kids and were very committed to their work and to their families. When their families needed them, we worked it out. I recall many school holidays when our boardroom became a pop-up child care centre.

It is the little steps each day that decide the long-term balance.

Walk the talk! Read Amazon Best seller Balance: How to Make Your Business Work for Your Family.

Originally Posted: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/family-more-important-business-robert-james/

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