Do we value our family and relationships as highly as we value our“ success” in business? There are some common, great illusions:

• I’ m working such long hours so that I can give my family a better life

• Life won’ t always be this busy – a slower day is coming

• There will always be tomorrow – the door of childhood stays open a long time

• The business will never survive without me

It’ s often hard to escape the phone and the email. They ring or alert us during meals and halfway through reading bedtime stories. We think it will only take a minute but by the time we get back, the child you were reading to is asleep and the dinner is in the dog. Could that urgent call have waited ten minutes? Some of the business owners I meet have little time for

a family life and I wonder if the success is worth the cost. It is possible to have both with a little discipline and here’ s just a few ideas that I’ ve learnt over the years which might be helpful 1. Create“ safe havens” for your friends and family when you can give them the respect of actually being present, not just physically but mentally

2. Switch off the phones for one hour during the evening

3. Turn the mobile off in the restaurant. Life will go on and the lack of vibrations will stop you looking as though you’ ve been electrocuted

4. Arrange an evening when you and your partner can relax together. If it’ s necessary, put in your diary and treat that evening with respect

5. Whenever possible, try not to take phone calls in time you have designated for your children

6. Develop family traditions – the fish and chips night or the film night. Your children will remember them when they grow up

7. Eat together when possible

8. Plan as soon as possible, a half day with your child just doing something together

9. Learn to laugh again. It’ s great therapy!

The days when your children want you to watch them in school plays, teach them to fly a kite or listen to that story over and over again are very limited. The time is hurtling towards you when you’ re going to say to that 14 year old“ do you fancy going to football this Saturday?” and he’ ll reply

By Rob Perks, CEO of Inspire

“ Do you mind if we don’ t Dad – I’ m going out with some friends”

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