Kids see it differently!! Sharpen up! Shape up!

Sounds like the Harry Chapin song Cats in A Cradle.  "I'm gonna be like you dad."

It is hard to disconnect when the need to fulfill obligations takes over.

We have to learn how to live all over again. We are slaves to technology and our business and have made it a rat race all by ourselves. The example we have set for our children is not good & I wish I could be able to do it all over again.

"This lesson was a sharp reality check.  You do not get to go back and redo.  Be smart and shut off your phones and get a working partner to handle your business so you can actually vacation with family and friends!  "  This is an important lesson indeed, and one which is important to learn.

Jeane and Ralph my daughter now grown reminded me I use to work through her musical performances, she saw me from the stage.  

It is true we need to be present not just in body.

Great post.

We do what we think we need to do and often lose track of priorities. I now know how to turn the phone off

In many business ventures, but ours especially, phones and email meld into our conciousness... every waking moment the next deal is on our minds and in many ways that is reality; but Jeannie, your reality check is from a perspective that only comes around once in life... sometimes we are looking back and sometimes forward... if we still have the benefit of looking forward, let's keep sight of what matters most.

Jeanne and Ralph, it is a good thing that you have finally realized this.  Yes, it is probably too late for you to be able to change much between you and your son, but maybe you can make up for that by doing a forceful intervention to help the relationship between your son and his son. 

You really need to do this, and sorry, but since you helped create this problem, you owe it to both of them to be a part of what fixes it.

I would love to find a "working" partner but then I am probably just going to be making him "work" through those family times!

Ralph & Jeanne - This is great advice, not only for the relationship, but also because we all need a mental break.

Prioritizing is the most important skill for any professional. If you put your business in front of your family, then you'll reap what you sow. I'm sorry For your son - it sounds like he's missing out on a great kid.

At times you just need to break away from the technology.

I think at least half of the problems that Realtors solve, would get solved by someone else.  You are correct.  Family first.  Leave the problems until Monday morning.

Learning from a child...... Make it a great day in all you do in beautiful Durango Co.

Good Morning:  This is some great Info for all and some great thoughts,  Keep up the good work and good luck with your business,  E

The farmer learns to work the seasons and use the day to optimize his results...When he is finished with the working part, the other parts shift into place...Everything has a place and requires time and attention....good post

Honestly, if we don't figure out HOW to spend time with our families... sooner or later they won't be there for us to be concerned about.

Think about it.  What would you rather spend your time getting old with?  Your family by your side, or stacks and stacks of MLS print-outs?  I would end this with an "LOL"... but it really isn't very funny.

Wow, reality check indeed.  As the old adage goes, nobody has ever said on their deathbed that they wished they had spent more time at the office.

I agree that we try to do everything we can to provide for our families but not spending the quality time with our children leave its mark. Great article.