What if we took on the ‘alter ego’ of the CEO at home? Bear with me.
1. The Vision and Mission
I love doing vision boards. Just like in the workplace you can create a vision and a mission that inspires and motivates you to live the life you want to live. A road map and a methodology
to direct your ship. Get out mags and newspapers, use t'internet and get cutting and sticking.
Even better if you can get the whole family involved. If you know what everyone in the family wants out of your family life, then you can work together to get it.
Simples.
Get clear on your definition of Success
and have a mission too. When I did mine, it really helped me focus on what's important to me and how I want my life to be. Again, even better if you can get the whole family involved, which is my next step.
2. SMART with a heart Goals
Once you know what you want, set goals to achieve it.
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timebound
Don't forget the SMART principles. Above all, be realistic. Saying that, your big dreams don't have to be realistic, if you want to fly to the moon, get it down on your vision board, but when you come to action you can take now, it might be a more realistic, short term goal would be 'I will easily and enjoyably research and fund a trip in a rocket simulator by December 2020.' Sometimes a change in perspective or attitude can bring you closer to what you want long term.
If you make the goals realistic and achievable, with a bit of stretch in them, review them regularly, but above all action them daily, you'll feel more and more motivated and confident as you achieve them. Doing this has allowed me to renovate three homes in the last 20 years and then sell them for a profit.
3. Team building
Make sure you spend time together that helps bring you together as a team. Go on a rowing boat, go on a long walk, climb a mountain, decorate a bedroom, create a vision board, play board games, whatever rocks your world.
Doing things together that involve interaction will help you negotiate, communicate and motivate each other better.
4. Senior Management meetings
Prior to a Team Meeting it's a good idea to have a Senior Management Team Meeting (i.e. you and your partner if you have one, if not sit and plan or find someone you trust to talk over your ideas).
You can discuss where you are with the family financials, 'team' pressures and whether you are on target for your goals or not. It gives you a chance to think about solutions to any problems you are having together. The mental load can be a real tipping point for burnout so keep an eye on it together. Have conscious conversation where you discuss how you can ALL thrive.
Genius idea: Divide the labour.
If you are in a 'Management Partnership' (which I hope I am!) do you have to do it all? How can your other half take their share of the twenty tonnes of school admin, costume for Roman day and little Jimmy's party gift, if s/he doesn't even know it is happening?
If you don't go ‘out to work’ why should you be on call 24/7?
If this is happening in your home ask yourself this, ‘How would you feel if your partner took over the washing pile, school admin, organising the meal's for the week? How would you feel if they did it their way?’ (OMG. My ‘controlfreakitis’
is bubbling up big time, how about you?!!!)
As the children become old enough you can get them involved too. I have a set of crockery that is completely chipped, because dish washing training is ongoing. I could give in, but then I’d have two teens who leave home and don’t know how to look after themselves. Plus I want a team effort in our home so I persevere
and I’ll buy a new set once they are fully competent.
Sometimes we just need to accept it as done, rather than done to our 'standard' (Again, I'm a self confessed work in progress with this).