Family First

I know I’m a workaholic, and I come by it honestly. I grew up on a dairy farm where cows don’t know what a vacation means. More vacations or nights out to dinner than I can count were interrupted by work needing to be done when I was growing up. However, even through all of that, my parents still did an amazing job of running a successful business AND making time for family and creating memories.⠀
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One of my biggest leadership lessons over the years was when I truly accepted that me putting my family first (and that it can be done without it being detrimental to the team) was also in the best interest of the team. When my family knows that they really do come first, they are much more invested in my team. Also, my players are able to learn a valuable lesson in putting first things first. In season, this may be something as simple as walking in to tell them goodnight when I come home late or leaving a note on their lunchbox when I leave early or rearranging a schedule to make it to their game. Then, when my time is more flexible I invest that time in my family, and it is quality time. We are always intentional about taking family vacations every year and spending random weekends or nights together as a family.
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Please know this has been a process though, and I have failed at it A LOT! My joke with all of my kids’ elementary school teachers was always, “I promise I exist, and you’ll see me again after Christmas! Please excuse what they are wearing and eating between now and then, as my husband is just trying to keep them alive and get them here!” My family also lovingly refers to fall as “Survival Season”. 😬😅
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What do you find most challenging to being both a leader who works hard and pursues excellence AND someone who is fully invested in family?