Men, Business, And The Business Of The Family

, by

“Business As Usual”

In our business pursuits we may be intense — as in very intense — on purpose. 

Should our purpose be to seek the right kind of target audience, gain qualified leads, and realize so much of a profit…

Then we would expect to work like crazy in order to accomplish our purpose.

We would expect it.
And those we work for or serve with would expect it. 

All that’s understood. 

But I’m Going A Bit Deeper Here

And the “deeper” is…

“Purpose to strive to be a success as a dad
as you strive to be a success as person in business.”

Simple Reminders…

Let’s talk about…

  1. Time
  2. Communication
  3. Sensitivity

What may be termed as “simple” may also become “simple neglect” if not completed.  We just don’t get it done as we can and know that we should.

Simple Thoughts On Time…

As times change, so do the time needs of those we love.  I would like you to think of two words here:

Enough time.”  

No, this reminder does not neglect or forget that the time demands of business can be absolutely insane.  True. 

And yet it is also true that the needs of a family member can be “insanely important” to them at the moment.

Make an effort for your family members to know that making the effort for them remains vitally important to you. 

Simple Thoughts On Communication

You and I need to pay careful attention to…

  • What is being said.
  • What is not being said but is being communicated.
  • And what must be said in response to the needs of the moment. 

Which quite naturally means valuing and developing the skill of paying attention. 

Stopping.
And stopping long enough to listen with the heart…

Pays many dividends in the hearts of those we are to love and serve as husbands and fathers. 

Simple Thoughts On Sensitivity

With regards to sensitivity, you don’t “fake it till you make it.”  It simply does not happen. 

What I choose to see and respond to with a loving heart is sensed by the recipients of my focused attention.

And the chances are…

  •  If they aren’t getting it, I’m not giving it.
  • If they aren’t sensing it, I’ve failed to commit myself to make it so.

And if they keep telling me I’m not, I may be standing precariously on the edge of a relationship fallout where the bottom is much darker than imagined and more destructively camouflaged than perceived at the moment.

A Personal Business Declaration For Dads…

Below is something I penned a while back as I thought about what a sensitive, growing, and family concerned dad might pen for himself. 

Naturally, it is meant to be a guideline to capture thoughts of your own should you happen to be on the business side of the fence as a husband and father — or as a single dad trying to keep it all together in terms of providing for the kids and striving to love them as well. 

Yes, it could be shortened a great deal.  It could become one single paragraph or even a sentence that becomes a purpose statement. 

Think of it as an idea creator… and create your own! 

Building My Home While Building My Business:
A Personal Declaration
© Lee Wise 

I choose to treasure my home relationships more than any financial profit I may gain in my business pursuits. I choose so because I affirm that financial gain at the expense of tragic relational loss is a trade I am totally unwilling to make.

While I recognize the time demands needed for a successful business endeavor, I will seek to give whatever time I must to whoever needs it most, and to the best of my ability I will do so on their time table, not mine. I choose to see those in my home as a precious people to share my life with and never as unwanted interruptions to endure.

When it comes to constantly being aware of the needs of those in my home, I will seek to consistently choose sensitivity over selfishness, compassionate listening over half hearted attention, and speaking with compassion and grace as opposed to speaking quickly without caring, decisively without understanding, and harshly without reason.

Realizing that varying degrees of failure accompany any worthwhile effort, I choose not to defeat my worthy purpose by demeaning myself when I fail. Neither will I embrace any form of perfection as a needless, self defeating standard to pursue. Rather, I choose to affirm my value as a person in the midst of setbacks, seek forgiveness for my genuine shortcomings as needed, and continue my growth as a person character in the process.

Because I care deeply about the legacy I will leave regarding my spin on life, I choose to honor the beauty of life by acknowledging laughter as a most worthwhile goal to pursue, seeking to capture “the joy of the little things,” demonstrating the value of gratefulness, and loving for all its worth because in the end it’s worth it all!

A Quote…

Family
“The beauty of what relationships can become

if relationships matter most
and winning at all costs matters least”
© Lee Wise

And Speaking Of Prayer…

“Father, help me to be a good husband and father: like you.  No, I know I can’t be totally like you. However, I need you to help me love in the ways you desire for me to love those you have called to serve and care for. When I fall short, help me to ask forgiveness.  When all is well, help me to look to you in thanksgiving.  And when I see you in heaven may it be a time of victory because I’ve lived in the power of your grace.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!” 

Reflecting On Scripture…

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord… Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 6:4; 5:25 ). **

______________
**Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com.

The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Written by

Following about a three year search for God, Lee trusted Christ as Savior in 1967 as young Marine. He has served as an outreach pastor and a church planter. The Lord also led him to serve as the Director of Internships at Baptist Bible Seminary in Clarks Summit, PA where he served for over 20 years. Lee loves to write, has a strong desire to be a positive influence for Christ in our world, and is passionate about family. And speaking of family, he and his wife Sherry (who served as a Director of Elementary Education for many years and recently retired) praise the Lord for being married 44 years, their 3 daughters and son-laws, and 7 grandchildren! Lee and Sherry would say: "We've been abundantly blessed."