Margin and Priorities
As you learned from the last message I sent your way, the Zimmerman family recently expanded. My daytime employer provided a 4-week leave for my family to bond together. While I was out of the office, I had a lot of time to be present with my children and my bride. I experienced the tranquility of being present with my youngest daughter as she slept the day away. I experienced the thrill of building our freestanding, 10’ tall, A-frame swing set after the ice storm took down our beloved tree in the spring (“The Crushing Weight of Water”). I experienced the excitement of my middle daughter riding a bicycle without training wheels for the first time. I experienced the exasperation of my bride trying to console my youngest while educating our oldest. In short order, I was fully present in family’s life.
Often in my coaching sessions, I talk with my clients about creating margin. In the context of money, margin is the difference between the income we bring in and the expenses that we pay out. When there is little margin, we end up stressed because we cannot meet our obligations. When there is a lot of margin, we are able to pursue and crush financial goals with vigor and success.
As I returned to the office at the end of the month, I learned something very valuable. Although my bride and I have been able to create financial margin, I have not been nearly as diligent to provide relational margin with my family and friends. The relational margin I want to create will provide opportunities to stop, in the moment, and be present with people when and where they need it. The relational margin I need for the sake of my family, permits the opportunity to live in the moment with those that I treasure the most. Thankfully, my employer inadvertently provided me with an opportunity to reset and refocus!
Questions to Ponder
Peter Drucker is famously quoted as saying “Tell me what you value and I might believe you. Show me your calendar and your bank statement, and I’ll show you what you really value.” I have also had other coaches share with me that I need to first create the life that I want, and then craft my work and business around the life that I want. It took the birth of my youngest child, the wisdom of other coaches, and a shared review of our family calendar and finances with my bride to realize my values were out of alignment with how I want to be present and available. As a result, we have decided to re-imagine my availability to serve my family, employer, and clients in a way that honors my values. After all, Francis Bacon was correct when he said, “Money is a great servant, but a bad master.” Money becomes your master when it dictates how you spend your time.
What are your most important priorities for your life and family?
How does your calendar prove or disprove your priorities?
Do your money choices (income or expenses) promote or hinder your priorities?
What changes do you need to make as an individual or as a family to reset your calendar and bank statement to align with your priorities?
Evaluating our priorities takes humility and honesty. Changing our priorities takes time and effort. Use wisdom and prudence to reset yourself and family well.
To purposeful priorities!
Coda: Head on over to OurAmericanStories.com to hear how Steve Trice of Jasco Products share his experiences regarding his journey to right size his calendar and bank statements by re-imagining work, generosity and purpose. Enjoy the stories!
I Worked Out of Workaholism… And My Life Is Working Better (ouramericanstories.com)
The Company That Gives Away ALL of Their Profits (ouramericanstories.com)
The Men Who Discipled Me At 6:30 AM… And Changed My Life (ouramericanstories.com)