By Tom Grandy, Founder
Life was pretty good where you used to work but hey, the family was growing. You now have a significant mortgage, a car payment, and a wife and three children to feed. Groceries prices are skyrocketing with no end in sight. Besides that, those teenage boys are eating you out of the house and home. The prospect of getting significant raises each year was not very good so where was the extra “needed” money going to come from to meet the financial needs of the family? You were already working a bunch of overtime so available hours to work a second job simply were not there. So, what was the solution?
The solution soon became obvious. It was time to start your own business. After all your previous boss lived in a great neighborhood, drove a nice vehicle, and with what they were charging the customer he had to be rich, right? The decision was made, and you started your own company. Well, it’s now been a few years since the new business venture began. Admittedly, it’s been a lot more work than you expected. Although it’s been tough the initial goal has been achieved. The needs of the growing family have been met…the battle has been won!
Wars, however, are messy with casualties along the way. All meaningful wars have two battles. One to take the land and another to hold the land. Being a small business owner has its benefits and its pitfalls. It’s good to reflect, every once in a while, about why we are doing what we are doing in order to keep our focus on what’s really important. The reason many people started their businesses (to meet the financial needs of the family) can very subtly change without realizing it. Running a business can easily go from being part of your life to being your life!
Below are a couple of questions you may want to ask yourself to be sure your priorities are still in the right order.
How often do you eat dinner with the family?
- Daily
- Once a week
- Can’t remember
When was the last time you attended your child’s sporting, academic, or music event?
- Last week
- Last month
- Can’t remember
When was the last time you took your wife out for a surprise dinner or a date night?
- Last week
- Last month
- Can’t remember
When was your last family vacation?
- This year
- Last year
- More than two years ago
- Never!
When was the last time you spent intentional time with your children?
- Daily
- Last week
- Last month
- Can’t remember
When was the last time you gave your wife or children a surprise “I was thinking about you” gift?
- Last month
- Six months ago
- Can’t remember
- Never!
Spending time with family members is critically important. It won’t just happen you have to “make” time for it. Life is busy. Next to the Lord, spending quality time with your family needs to be near the top of your priority list. Don’t lose sight of the purpose for which you are working so hard!
Do you have older parents and/or grandparents? If so, do you know if they have a will, where they bank, or who their investment broker is? Do they have a safe deposit box? If so, which bank is it located in, where are the keys and who is on the list to access the box? These, along with dozens of other “important questions”, need to be documented because one day someone will need that information after they pass. Now is the time to document all this information in the handy What’s Where When You’re Gone manual. Fill out the physical copy or input data into the PDF version. This manual is the Website Special this month. The normal investment is $27.00 but this month with the code What3 it’s only $24.00. Don’t put it off, Order Today!
