Running a business of your own and providing quality time for the family are two priorities that many entrepreneurs try to balance in their lives. There are several schools of thoughts when it comes to juggling personal and business responsibilities. Likewise, every entrepreneur has a different approach to managing their time, based on what works best for them.
A family is a strong support system that can help business owners go through the demands and trials of the entrepreneurial journey. Correspondingly, when problems arise in the family, it can have an adverse effect on one’s well-being and of those around them. Thus, it is important to preserve the joy and unity in your family. Having a healthy relationship between couples is a strong foundation in good parenting and keeping the family together. Whether you have a young family or children that are on their teens or adolescence, having a connection with them is significant in the growth of the relationship.
Understanding the importance of family, entrepreneurs find ways to nourish and cultivate it. Some business owners may have the intention of putting a focus on their family but don’t know where to start. Remember that there is no clear-cut formula to family success because one method may work for one and not on another. Nonetheless, there are a few suggestions that you can do to deepen your relationship with your family members.
Dine together
Doing a family bonding activity does not need to be extravagant. Simple joys like breaking bread or sharing delectable food may already bring you together. The most common activity that a family share is having meals. The key factor is that you have to put family matters in your schedule as much as you do for your meetings and business transactions.
Whether you spend it at home every night or you go out to a restaurant on a weekend, eating together is a form of fellowship. Avoid using your gadgets when you’re gathered around the dinner table. Appropriate this time to converse with each other and take an interest in the lives of one another. Have one-on-one dates with your partner and with each of your kids and allot a group date where all family members can be present.
Help out in studies or do family projects
Children look up to their parents to guide them in their works. You and your spouse can schedule who will help out the kids on their school work. Better yet, do a project where the family can all partake in that endeavour. Clean the garage, landscape your garden, wash the pets or cook a meal – do something that everyone will enjoy.
Travel or take a vacation
Sometimes you really need some time off from work to relax and spend special moments with your spouse and children. Travelling can bring out the best and worst in you and your companions. But it’s also a way to get to know each other better and find means to adjust to each one’s personality. Take a vacation where memories can last for a long time. Go fishing or camping. Whatever you want to do or wherever your destination may be, make sure that you agree and plan your vacation as a family. Otherwise, if you do it all by yourself, you might end up satisfying only yourself and neglecting the preferences of other family members.
Indulge in sports or hobbies or shared interests
If you are an active family, it’s good to sweat it out over a ball game or a sport you all love doing. It could be that you are a family that enjoys doing puzzles or making beautiful arts and crafts. You probably have the heart to be involved in charity works where you, as a family, can help other families or vulnerable sectors in society. Find your shared interest and work on that to bond with each other. Doing such will also contribute to the personal development of every family member.
Involve them in your entrepreneurial journey
Because the entrepreneurial journey is full of highs and lows, it is best that your partner and children understand it as well. The good thing with EO is that the forum experience can be extended to your spouse or partner as well as to your children that are 16 to 30 years old. They can share their experiences and concerns with other spouses or other children of entrepreneurs. Whether they are interested to be involved in your business or not, taking those who are important to you in your entrepreneurial journey will allow you to walk together towards success.
All in all, discuss with your partner and children how you can nurture the love and care within the family. Despite your busy schedules, find time for each other and cherish the presence of one another. Help each other in your individual undertakings and bring out the best of every family member. When you reach your goals with your loved ones by your side, success becomes even more meaningful and fulfilling.