by Travis Montera

Created on: November 18, 2008

YOUR CAREER IS YOUR FAMILY! We have forgotten this somewhere in the journey of generations. It is an age of more money is never enough and the kids can take care of themselves. We have created a state of greed and coldness with each other and our children.

Careers are an important part of your self esteem, but family is the engine that should drive you to aspire and be a better person. You can be the best salesman or engineer to ever live, but you will only be remembered for a short time by that company when you are gone. Eventually, there is always someone better that will come along and replace what everyone thought you were so amazing for. This can never be the case in your family if you take the time to be a member of your family.

Your family is the living story of YOU. When you are dead and gone, the family lives on. These are the people that will continuously share laughs and tears when reciting stories about silly things you did or how you helped them in a time of need. Your kids are little walking versions of you and your spouse. Studies have shown how they view your life is how they perceive life. If you are a workaholic and never take the time to get to know them in turn you mold them to pass that lifestyle on to their children. Your kids don't have this installed into their brains like a new program downloaded into a hard drive on the day they are born. This behavior is learned. Keep that in mind when you are working late or decide to go out and entertain clients 4 nights out of the week. With that you have now created a family legacy of greed and self worth. The vicious cycle continues and builds generation after generation. The cycle is unforgiving and most don't even realize it is happening because this is the norm of their family history.

The value of family is priceless. You will never hear from your family, "I am sorry, but due to the weak economy and lack of sales we have to make some major cuts and unfortunately you are on the cut list." I wonder how many peope who have put off spending time with their family or backed out of a family trip to complete some daunting task for the company they worked for have heard this in the past year? You are and always will be a commodity to your employer. A commodity that can be bought, sold, or let go to make ends meet at any particular time. YOU ARE NOT A COMMODITY TO YOUR FAMILY! YOU ARE ONE OF YOUR FAMILY'S BIGGEST ASSETS!

Be good at your career and teach your family that work is challenging and enlightening. Be great to your family and show them that they are rewarding and fulfilling to you. Balance your mind with your heart and the rest of the body will follow.

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