Where does school sports day rank on your to do list?

If you asked your children ‘would you like three holidays a year and see little of your parents, or have one holiday a year and have your parents there for the big events in your life’, what would they say?

I read an article the other day on work life balance that highlighted an initiative by one bank to try to reduce the workaholic image of banking.

Credit Suisse introduced ‘Protecting Friday night’, encouraging their people to leave work by 7pm and not return until at least Saturday lunchtime unless there was an urgent client request.

Makes you wonder how many of their employees were working seven days a week if this was an improvement!

There are many businesses that encourage this ‘only long hours prove your worth’ culture and of course as a business owner, you may feel that you have no choice in the matter.

But just think of the effects this has on you and your team. Food on the go, little time for exercise, the stress of needing to be seen, all take a toll on both your mental and physical well-being. 

And then there’s your relationships…

Research shows that 55% of marriages with workaholic spouses end in divorce, compared to 16% when a spouse has the balance right.

If you have children, the missed birthdays, school sports days, prize-givings, all add up, and you will never have those days again. Constantly disappointing those closest to you takes its toll on them and you.

Many business owners will tell you that they’re working these hours for their families, to give them a great lifestyle. But is that what they want?

If you asked children ‘would you like three holidays a year and see little of your parents or have one holiday a year and have your parents there for the big events in your life’, I wonder what they would say?

I love Richard Branson’s, ‘First your People then your Customers’, but for many that should be ‘First family then work’. You're building a life here, not just a business.

Do one thing: Take time to think about what’s really important in your life, and adjust your priorities accordingly.

ps If you feel you’ve been sucked into the black hole of working every hour God sends and would love to escape, then check out our McFreedom Secrets Workshop, and get yourself along to the next one.

For more information on how MPL can help you visit www.mariannepage.co.uk or contact me on hello@mariannepage.co.uk