17 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
17 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Time for a Re-think?

by sloanjim
14 replies
Hi,

I think I was lost for while....... I got so fixated with making more and more profits I lost th whole point of working from home a few hours a day.

You see my 3 year old son asked me to play "space ships with him..." I told him I was too busy and he had to play without me.."ok", he said sadly and of he went.

That night lying in bed...it hit me like a ton of bricks! What the H*** did I just do?

In my quest to make more and more profit I gave up free time to play with my son. It should never have been the case. I got into this to make a decent living but the main factor was the free time. I do not want to become a "workaholic" obsesed woth profits and business which is they way it can easily go.

That was TIME I will never get back. When my son is 13 and hanging out with friends and I ask him to spend a bit of time with me....I know I am going to think of the day he asked me to play "space ships" and I tld him I was too busy. Already it makes me cringe!

I think I need to re-evalute the whole point of doing this? There's no need to make "millions." Enought to be comforatable yes but free time is the main point. I am going to try and switch the computer off now 4:00pm at the very latest and spend a couple of hours a day minimum playing with my son. I know I'll never regret that on my death bed.

Had to get it off my chest.....thanks
#lost #purpose #rethink #time
  • Profile picture of the author BizNurse
    Thumbs up! Keep the main thing the main thing..


    The most profitable thing you can do is invest time with your kids, the dividend will be plentiful!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2552706].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ruth P
    This is a great post, and is something I think we're all guilty of. It can become addictive to work harder and harder on your business, making it as successful as possible. But at the end of the day we're all here for more freedom and things that extra money can bring (like free time to play with your son) rather than the money as an end in itself. Thanks for the reminder!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2552933].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JustinP
    VERY good reminder. I really struggle with this balance myself and I also have a 3 year old who wants ALL of my attention. BUT, when the household income rests on the shoulders of my solopreneurship...it can be very tough.

    having said that, I am not working today. I got up at 5am to get a few hours in before the kids woke up but now I am closing the laptop and building a fort with my 3 year old
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2552983].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Vogin
      Excellent point, my brother will have his first kid in a couple of months and I can already doubt that he'll spent as much time as he wants with it (a typical case with a well paid, time consuming day job).

      I've tried to introduce him to some writing like Squidoo, but with little luck. I guess he'll listen when I really have some results
      Signature

      ppcsluzby.cz/en - PPC agency


      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2553025].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author humbledmarket
    Banned
    Originally Posted by sloanjim View Post

    Hi,

    I think I was lost for while....... I got so fixated with making more and more profits I lost th whole point of working from home a few hours a day.

    You see my 3 year old son asked me to play "space ships with him..." I told him I was too busy and he had to play without me.."ok", he said sadly and of he went.

    That night lying in bed...it hit me like a ton of bricks! What the H*** did I just do?

    In my quest to make more and more profit I gave up free time to play with my son. It should never have been the case. I got into this to make a decent living but the main factor was the free time. I do not want to become a "workaholic" obsesed woth profits and business which is they way it can easily go.

    That was TIME I will never get back. When my son is 13 and hanging out with friends and I ask him to spend a bit of time with me....I know I am going to think of the day he asked me to play "space ships" and I tld him I was too busy. Already it makes me cringe!

    I think I need to re-evalute the whole point of doing this? There's no need to make "millions." Enought to be comforatable yes but free time is the main point. I am going to try and switch the computer off now 4:00pm at the very latest and spend a couple of hours a day minimum playing with my son. I know I'll never regret that on my death bed.

    Had to get it off my chest.....thanks
    Wow, It's just so nice to see someone so concerned about their family and how they spend their time. Today there are too many workaholics you don't need to be another one lol.

    All the best with your goals and decision.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2555671].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Gary Pettit
    Excellent reminder, sloanjim. We must remember at all times the real WHY we do what we do.
    Ideally, it's because of Who I Am. If that's the source of what I'm doing, those flubs will be few and far between.
    Thanks for your post.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2578235].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author go4wealth
    There are somethings far to valuable to sacrifice just to a make a few bucks. Our children, our spouses, our own health, and for those who believe - most importantly - our walk with the Lord
    Signature

    Get Unlimited Voice, Unlimited Text, Unlimited Data/Web on a blazing fast 4g Network for $49/month ... all iPhones supported ... (option to get unlimited everything for Free also available) Click here to learn more

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4836172].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author UpMarketing
    Family > Money any day of the week. Good man.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4840464].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KevinRichardsonMD
    Looks like we all have been scammed like this before in the past. Interesting.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4840548].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author acooking9
    Man it makes you think. Such a fine line sometimes. When it comes time to pay the bills you can't send in a note saying I don't have it because I was playing with my children, can you.

    I have done my best to involve my 10 year in my catering business and online business so I get to spend time with her and still make the income. I am headed to a 30 hour work week, but until then combining work and play seems to be my best answer.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4841536].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author anneivy
    thanks for the share
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4842356].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DaveDempsey
    Originally Posted by sloanjim View Post

    Hi,

    I think I was lost for while....... I got so fixated with making more and more profits I lost th whole point of working from home a few hours a day.

    You see my 3 year old son asked me to play "space ships with him..." I told him I was too busy and he had to play without me.."ok", he said sadly and of he went.

    That night lying in bed...it hit me like a ton of bricks! What the H*** did I just do?

    In my quest to make more and more profit I gave up free time to play with my son. It should never have been the case. I got into this to make a decent living but the main factor was the free time. I do not want to become a "workaholic" obsesed woth profits and business which is they way it can easily go.

    That was TIME I will never get back. When my son is 13 and hanging out with friends and I ask him to spend a bit of time with me....I know I am going to think of the day he asked me to play "space ships" and I tld him I was too busy. Already it makes me cringe!

    I think I need to re-evalute the whole point of doing this? There's no need to make "millions." Enought to be comforatable yes but free time is the main point. I am going to try and switch the computer off now 4:00pm at the very latest and spend a couple of hours a day minimum playing with my son. I know I'll never regret that on my death bed.

    Had to get it off my chest.....thanks
    I think you have learned a very valuable lesson here and that will have a very positive impact on your life in the end. Everyone makes decisions they regret but you have noticed the mistake and will do your best to keep it from happening again

    This is a great reminder to everyone here on the dangers on becoming a workaholic so thanks for sharing, I know this will benefit a few people on here myself included.

    Cheers
    Dave
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4845199].message }}

Trending Topics