3 Ways to Keep Your Dream From Hurting Your Family

There is an audio version below.

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Have you ever gone out to dinner with your family and looked around the restaurant? I’m guessing what you would see are children talking to a parent (or parents) looking at their cell phone. With all the updates and things to keep up with online, society is glued to their phones—me included.

Life is busy these days and especially if you’re chasing a dream. Chances are you are chasing this dream on the side, which means hustling in the in-between. You have to learn how to use those free moments wisely.

In our effort to use time for our dream, we end up pushing our family to the side without even realizing it. It could be looking at your phone during dinner, or ignoring them while you’re watching a movie together at home. They could be talking to you, but you’re distracted, or a thousand miles away—thinking about all the things you have to do.

At that point, your family starts to hate your dream. You drove them there without putting two-and-two together. Your dream should fit into your life, not your life into your dream. The life part has to come first. Your family has to come first. Here are three ways to keep your dream from hurting your family.

1. Learn how to turn the dream off  

I’m all for hustling to make your dreams a reality—I made my dream happen that way. However, I did it all wrong. I was always ON, even when I should have been there for my family. They would talk and I would smile while not listening. I turned it on and had no clue how to turn it off.

You can’t work on your dream in EVERY spare moment you have available. Those moments belong to more than just your dream. As hard as it can be, as bad as you want it, you have to turn dream mode off when it’s not appropriate to be on.

Making your dream a reality is a matter of focus and proper time management. You CAN find the time for everything in your life if you want to—it’s a matter of balance. Sit down and look at your schedule. Get honest about where you’re wasting time. Find that extra time for your dream. Start with how much you watch TV—there’s usually hours to be found there.

2. Set a clear schedule (as much as you can)

The best way to get your family on board with your dream is to actually get them on board. They should see the vision and understand what you’re working on. It can be as simple as putting a big calendar in the kitchen, or a little more in-depth and interactive. Like having a weekly meeting to go over your schedule for that week with your family. Communication is crucial in ANY relationship.

Look, this is easier said then done, and it will take time. But, if you start today, you’ll eventually get there. Set a clear schedule for yourself and family, and talk about what that schedule is. Set clear and appropriate boundaries.

3. Always put your family first

At the end of the day, you’re chasing a dream and creating freedom so you can be there for your family. You’re tired of trading time for money. You want to be there as much as possible while enjoying control over your time. You want to live your life on your OWN terms.

You have to put your family first. They must have the first place in your heart, and the best of what you have to offer. Show them they are the most important things in your life and they will be your biggest cheerleaders. Don’t just give them words; show them by the actions you take. Talk is cheap and they are too used to talk.

There’s a right way, a wrong way, and the normal way people chase their dreams. You can do it differently by keeping your family a priority and using you time wisely. Don’t risk turning your dream into a nightmare by doing this all wrong.

Life is short. Those precious moments with your family count. Chase big dreams and never give up, but be sure to get your family behind you and helping you. Your family is a great asset to your dream. You all can transition into your dream together.

Audio version:

How is your dream affecting your family?

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Flickr/ Craft Scotland