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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