Family Papi

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Have you reflected lately? 

I try to reflect on matters daily, as it’s good to take a step back from the everyday and reflect.  But honestly, it’s hard, especially these days – the start of the holiday season. 

In a recent business trip, though, I took the opportunity to do so and ended up writing a note, a special note to someone that means the world to me.

So today, let’s reflect on that person – the person who makes you the prosperous family dad that you are now – your wife – your significant other.

Think about her for a moment.

Think about the time you were dating her and how you fell head over heals for her.  You spent more time with her and less with your friends because you made her a priority.

Think about how special she is now that you’ve been with her for awhile and the things that she does everyday. 

When was the last time you complimented her? 

How long ago has it been since you’ve given her a gift, written her a note, or spend extended time with her?

Is she still a priority for you? 

To make sure, let’s think about what can you do or help her with to make her happy.

A good way to do that is to make a list of The Top 3 Things She Would Appreciate.

Don’t know what they are?  Pay attention to her every day needs. 

If she needs you to:

• support her in her career, support her and help her without any complaints
• provide for her and the kids, provide for her and bring home the bacon with a smile
• clean after yourself, make sure you do so for you and for any mess at home
• come home earlier from work, make room in the schedule in order to be able to do that.
• do the “honey to-do list”, do it or pay someone else to do it
• get her away from the kids or the everyday, use your imagination and set something up for a getaway with just the two of you.

The point is – find out what she needs and then do more than what she expects.

Treat her as what she is – your #1 customer. Make her happy – love her by your actions.

You already know how to prosper as a family dad: prosper those around you.  In the case of your wife, prosper her first.

Can you imagine how she would feel if you did this?  Can you imagine her response?

Now stop imagining – list out the Top 3 (go ahead and write them down) and make it happen.

If she asks you what the reason behind this is, let her know you’re just setting your priorities straight.

How’s that for a good start to the holiday season?

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As a family dad, there are certain times in your life where you must make critical decisions.  These decisions will impact the quality of your life as well as the lives of those in your organization (yes your family).

If you find yourself in one of those situations now, one simple solution can help you make sure you continue on your prosperous path.

Turn it off!

If you think about it, from the time you wake in the morning until the time you actually get back to sleep, you are inundated with noise. 

This noise comes in the form of the things we enjoy – radio, ipod, TV, internet – basically, everything that entertains, informs, or just zones us out.

How can we make the right decision if we are constantly being bombarded?

How can we ensure our decisions will be correct for our family and for our community?

The answer for both is that we cannot unless we turn it all off.

Here are some things to do to make it happen:

Mark the time you’ll need.  I suggest anywhere between 2 days and a week’s time.  Frankly, if this is the first time you’re doing this, aim for the 2 days because you will not be accustomed to the quiet.  If you could do more days, great, but set your expectations low to start off with.

The only noise you may have is from the alarm clock to wake you.  When you wake up, be thankful and start getting ready for the day. 

Don’t turn on the radio or TV.  Negative news will always be there – it can wait a few days.

Embrace the quiet.

Hear yourself thinking.  Allow yourself to envision the solution.  Pray – ask God to help you identify His Will to make the correct decision.

Continue to do this as you drive to your destinations.  If you can, take off from your regular schedule (this is not a must though).

A must is to just listen – at work, in the gym, in the park, everywhere you go.

When you get back home, make a point to stay away from “the box” (TV) and from going online.

Instead, continue in the quiet.  Read, meditate, ask, pray.  Do what your gut tells you.

In the process, you’ll notice things you haven’t noticed before.

You’ll feel refreshed, even inspired.

You will gain new perspectives, see things in a new light – you may start getting ideas and insights. You may even get to feel God nudging you. 

You actually may start to like it so much that you decide to do this more often – like every 3 months.

That’s what happened to me.

You see, important decisions will always need to be made, but a family dad who chooses to listen in the quiet will always be one step ahead on the road to prosperity.

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How do you prosper when you are on vacation?

The fact that you are on vacation is a good sign.  It means you are on the right track.

A vacation is a time to unwind, to step away from the regular, to widen your perspective.

Most importantly – a vacation is a time and place where you create joyful, memorable experiences for others (like your friends and family).  Isn’t that a large part of prospering?

Think about it -the more you give, the more you recieve.  It’s not about you, it’s about what you can do for others.  As a family dad, the joy and happiness that you feel seeing your kids enjoying life is indescribable.  There is nothing that comes close.

So, with that in mind – going on vacation to:

• the beach
• skiing in the mountains
• across the country or across the ocean
• amusement parks such as Disney, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Six Flags and others
• the zoo or aquarium
• a cruise or adventure tour
• trip to see relatives?
• just staying at home to relax

…are all good and reasonable. 

Just getting away will also bring you moments of inspiration, opportunities for reconnecting with the love of your life (yes, your wife!), and numerous insights that you may have forgotten or not have noticed at all.

Sounds prosperous?

No question.

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