Paving the Path to the Life You Want: A Workplace Perspective
Browsing the internet recently, I came across an article about fatherhood and workplace flexibility. A father talked about changing his life by working fewer hours, having a flexible workplace, and reaping the benefits of child-rearing — watching his kid’s baseball games, having his child clearly know him, and witnessing other events and moments he might otherwise miss.
I was grateful to read this article. I believe it’s wonderful because that man has taken a path of empowerment. He’s chosen to build a life that allows him to see his child more. He made decisions based on what his values are rather than happenstance. He used the skills that he prepared in a plan to allow time to raise his children and to be with them. That’s a great lesson for all of us — taking a path intentionally.
The article focused on many of the benefits for fathers working in a flexible workplace, and not working in corporate America or working too many hours. However, there were trade-offs — a smaller income could possibly impact where the family can afford to live, which determines the school district for his children. He may give up career opportunities, and chances to work with co-workers at a certain level.
There are trade-offs in everything, and we have to realize that.
Part of what we are doing is negotiating what’s best for us, picking a path that’s true to us and our needs. If this father is truly going to go to every one of his child’s baseball games as he says he will, he is very likely to miss business opportunities along the way. And that’s perfectly okay. It’s an intentional decision he has made based on his (and his family’s) values and wants. That is what makes it great. He is building a life he wants. More people should do that. They should follow the path of empowerment.
In my signature presentation, The 3 Laws of Empowerment I talk about how to build a life that you love — a life that you want — and how to make sure you achieve those goals after all your hard work. All of us have the capability in this day and age. It’s a matter of intentional thought and action to get us to where we want to be.
