WORK VS. FAMILY: HOW TO PRIORITIZE WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT

- Version for Working Parents

Word count: 576

By Michelle Nichols

Have you ever seen a clown juggle a hatchet, a watermelon and a bowling ball? It reminds me of how difficult it can be for successful working parents to juggle work, family and life. It’s a challenge to excel in all three areas without going crazy.

Today’s current buzzword solution for this challenge is “work-life balance.” Ignore it. It’s the wrong conversation entirely because in the big picture, you don’t want to balance your sales career and your family. Your family is of higher importance than your sales volume – and in your gut, you know this is true.

Remember Your ABCs
To solve this challenge, instead of trying to balance work and family, you can apply one of your basic sales skills: prioritizing. You probably already use this skill to identify your A (urgent), B (this week) and C (when you have time) tasks that need to get done. In the same way, prioritize your “family first and work a close second.” To put this idea into practice, make sure you hug or show your love to each member of your family, every day.

That way, no matter how your selling day turns out, at least you accomplished the most important task – loving your loved ones. I explored this idea in my new book, Hug Your Kids Today! 5 Key Lessons for Every Working Parent (www.HugYourKidsToday.com)

Tears of Love
I was discussing the idea of work vs. family recently with the president of a mid-sized bank. Despite his title, he is still actively involved in sales for his organization. He told me unabashedly, “I’d jump in front of a bus for my daughter, with no hesitation.” Then he wiped a tear from his eyes as he thought about how strongly he loved his “little girl” – despite the fact that she was now college-aged.

I pushed the point and asked him if he felt the same way about his job. He said he appreciated all that his job provided him and his family, but no, he wouldn’t jump in front of a bus for his employer. Here’s a guy who’s got his priorities straight. Score one for the home team!

Chocolate and Balloons
Besides a daily hug, try to do something special for each family member about once a week. For example, my son loves science so I bought him a Venus Fly Trap plant. He had a ball catching flies for it, reading about it, and caring for it. My daughter is a teenager, so she likes to be surprised with makeup and trips to fast food joints. If you have a spouse or the equivalent, don’t forget to show your love to him or her too.

Low on cash or creativity? Almost everyone likes to be surprised with their favorite candy bar. Or maybe you buy them a new candy bar or one with a funny name. It shows you’re paying attention to them. In a word, it shows you love them. Some other low-cost, high-impact ideas include a pint of ice cream, a greeting card or a latex balloon with a touching message. It really is the thought - and the action - that counts.

I’m sure you’ll develop your own special ways to show your family how much you love them. A hug is always a good start. Now, go hug your kids. If you have a spouse or equivalent, hug him or her too. And tomorrow, remember to hug them again. Hugs matter!

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Michelle Nichols is a cutting-edge thinker, author and speaker on work-life balance. She is also the creator of the Hug Your Kids Today project and the founder of National Hug Your Kids Day (July 20, 2009.) Her book, Hug Your Kids Today! 5 Key Lessons for Every Working Parent, is available at Amazon.com, BN.com and at her website. For more information: http://www.HugYourKidsToday.com or toll-free (877)352-9684.

TAKEAWAYS:

1. Ignore the current buzzword of “work-life balance.” It’s the wrong goal.
2. Instead, put “family first and work a close second.”
3. Hug your family members every day and show your love to them at least weekly. There are low-cost, high-impact ideas everyone can do to show their love.