What lesson are you giving your kids about work?
When I wake up my kids for school I sometimes get a grumble about getting out of bed. I'm sure I'm not the only parent to know what this is like. Especially the teenagers!
Often it's the "Why do I have to go to school?" or "Schools so boring dad!".
So I use the often-used argument that I have to go to work so they have to go to school. But this argument was ruined for me when I took my sons to one too many of my presentations. Now the cheeky buggers use my words against me!
They say "But it's all right for you dad as you love your work".
What do you say to that hey? They know it's true because I tell them how important it is to love your work and have it be fulfilling as you spend so much of your life there. They can't control their time and activities at school so it's different from choosing your profession, and they know it. They don't have the opportunity to match their activities to there particular values, personality or passions.
But when you become an adult you get to choose. Then why do we choose work that is unfulfilling? It amazes me that people bitch and moan about their work but don't do anything to change it. They don't take control of their careers.
They tell their kids that they just have to work to earn money. To suck it up and just do it. Lifes a bitch but what do you do. What sort of lesson are we imparting on our children, that work is suffering so live for weekends and holidays? There has to be a better way.
You can't fake it either. It's not something you can tell your kids and not live yourself as they feel it, see it and experience it in your behaviour. If you come home exhausted and complain about your boss/co-workers/clients and have negative energy, they relate this to what work is.
Imagine you come home after having a fulfilling day helping people, even though there are challenges, it's a completely different energy. Your mood is more balanced and you don't have to drink a few beers or watch some TV to relax. Kids pick up on this energy and learn to relate it to where mum and dad go each day. Work becomes a thing they don't want to do, rather than something to look forward to.
When I was working at Hewlett Packard I never forget walking in one day and seeing this old guy sitting at his desk. He looked grey, spent and like a shell of a person. He looked like a dead person walking around like a regular person - I vowed right then that I would never be like that.
So I built my brand and career assets so I could have more choices in my work. I'm fascinated with what makes entrepreneurs tick and how they can find more joy in work, spark in their day and flow in their business. Consequently, I run a business helping these people. I'm always on as they say. Not because I have to be, but because it's my passion.
I even pulled my laptop out at a bar last Saturday night to help a past client and friend get their website back online! She called me a big dag, but I'm sure she is grateful that her website is sorted out now. (You are welcome Miss Filly haha)
Does this mean I go to work every day and there is never a problem, issue, tough day or I never feel sad? No. What it means is I find the work worthwhile so when I get a setback, feel down or need a lift, my work makes me feel BETTER. It reignites my inspiration and gets me back into flow. Work helps me get through these tough times.
A great way to lift your spirits is to help someone else.
I understand many people reading this would be thinking it's easier said than done. I get it, we all need to balance financial needs with a business built around your passions. Practical needs sometimes outweigh your own needs. But surely it's worthwhile working towards it. I urge you to think of the long term lessons you are imprinting on your kids.
The world has changed so much in the last few decades that you can make a living doing pretty much anything! We live in remarkable times where with a laptop, phone and an abundance of passion, you can earn as much as a corporate worker, but with control of your time and the fulfillment of being your own boss.
All I ask is you take the time to consider all your options for earning a living. There are more than you think. In future blogs, I will share some cool examples of people living life their way.
Don't be the dead person walking around pretending to be living. Be the inspired person you were meant to be, living life to the full and showing the next generation that working and being of service to people is fulfilling and rewarding.
Andrew