Comments on: Even Though I Met My Goals–Somehow They Just Aren’t Right!

By: Fred Van Tatenhove

Fred Van Tatenhove — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:47:49 +0000

Agree completely with the comments above. I can only add the joy maybe be even greater watching grandchildren in their sports or activities, perhaps I am a little wiser. Our grandson (now 12) spends a month with us every summer in Dallas, just concluding his fifth trip. We recently returned from spending a week on South Padre Island and the highlight of the trip was going deep sea fishing. I don’t fish and spent most of the time figuring out how not to get sick. Our grandson loves fishing and never missed a beat. He caught a couple keeper Red Snapper and now proudly boosts he caught dinner as we took the fish to a local restaurant and they prepared it for us.

By: Merrill Dubrow

Merrill Dubrow — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:35:57 +0000

Bob,

Really nice comment. Great story about Catie. That happened 9 years ago and I am sure you still love telling the story and probably get a little choked up every time!

Thanks for sharing.

Merrill

By: Vic Walsh

Vic Walsh — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:23:06 +0000

Debbie Midford, a former MRA staff member, best expressed it to me about 10 years ago when she told me, “No one ever said on their death bed, ‘I wish I had gone to one more meeting, or I wish I had made more business calls, etc’. No, they wish they had spent more time with their kids and other family members”. It made me think, and ever since then, I have tried to remember that when trying to juggle both a busy work and a busy family life. Kind of reminds me of Harry Chapin’s, song “Cats in the Cradle”.

By: Bob Graham

Bob Graham — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:20:53 +0000

I have two daughters, both former soccer players. One played for 14 years including 4 years of college, the other played for about 6 years, but then got interested in other sports.

I was committed to seeing every game and or kids event that I possible could and I would estimate that over 14 years I saw 98% of my daughters’ games, which I think is pretty good. I remember when my weekends were full going from one game to another. Now that the girls are on to other things, I have my weekends back, but I never wanted them back–I find I miss the games.

I always tried to find a way to balance work and personal life. When my daughter played in college a very benevolent boss (also a father, and a great man besides) used to let me schedule my business trips so that they coincided with my daughter’s college schedule and I got to see her play in California, NY and other places. I would even drag business associates to the games (ask Ed Sugar).

Still the goal that means the most to me is the one I never saw. In 1998 I had an accident at Logan Airport in Boston and wound up spending 4 days in Mass General Hospital. My company flew my wife up to Boston to help accompany me home to Dallas. My younger daughter, Caitie (11 at the time), did not have the innate athletic ability that her sister had (she takes after her father in that regard), but always played with a lot of heart. That weekend while we were away, she managed to score a goal. Other parents reported after she scored it she threw her fists up in the air and yelled “THAT WAS FOR MY DADDY!”.

So it seems I’ve kind of rambled and gotten off topic. My advice: never forget where your priorities are. Watch the game, you’ll still have time for work when it’s done.

By: Heather Bosley

Heather Bosley — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:17:49 +0000

I recently went to Costa Rica for my brother’s wedding and for the first time in almost three years, did not take a laptop/phone for work reasons on a vacation. While nervous at first I eventually got over the stress of “what ifs” and tried not to think about what I might be missing. If you have the right team in place and set clear directives for how things should be handled in your absence, you should have no worries! I came back very refreshed and with very few issues to resolve. There was a time when we didn’t have blackberry’s and somehow the world survived.

By: Naomi Walters

Naomi Walters — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:15:14 +0000

Merrill, I agree - put aside the electronic equipment for several hours a week to watch the smiles and the wonder of life before these little children become jaded in this world! Have fun - special time with parents is so important in forming their future! Treasure the memories you are making. Naomi

By: Merrill Dubrow

Merrill Dubrow — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:19:08 +0000

Tobey,

Very well put! As the kids get older I find myself really appreciating the time that I spend with them and try really hard to block out other distractions. For me it is very hard at times but I feel I am making progress.

Thanks

Merrill

By: Tobey Belsky

Tobey Belsky — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 03:44:48 +0000

you’ll always have your laptop, blackberry and any other futuristic gadget available, but you will not always have the soccer, little league, hockey, basketball, etc. games to enjoy with your children, which hopefully will always be the priority!

By: Merrill Dubrow

Merrill Dubrow — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:30:49 +0000

Paul,

Good for you! You made the right decision.

Merrill

By: Paul Kirch

Paul Kirch — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:27:07 +0000

My original plans were to take my laptop on my upcoming wedding/honeymoon trip. My excuse was so I could watch movies on the plane. I figured between my laptop and my phone, I would be able to stay up to speed on what was happening with clients back home. Ultimately I decided I am leaving the laptop at home. I have never traveled without some form of connectivity, so I figure this is the one time that it makes sense to leave it behind. I’m already stressing about it.