LEADERS MAKE TIME FOR FAMILY

Many years ago I was sitting on a bench outside Georgetown Law Center with a friend, a wonderful lawyer who was admired and respected across the country by all the attorneys within his area of practice.

My friend knew I was facilitating the workshop “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” for Georgetown University employees twice a year. He asked me to tell him the habits so he could write them down and practice them.

I explained that it was not that simple. I encouraged him to read the book. My friend explained that his demanding work schedule did not leave him time for leisure reading and insisted that if I listed Stephen Covey’s seven habits, he would make sure to practice them regularly.

I relented and started listing he habits: “Be Proactive,” “Begin with the End in Mind,” “Put First Things First.” I stopped there and told him those first three habits were what Covey called the “Private Victory” because they reflected our relationship with ourselves.

I became curious and asked my friend “What’s the most important thing in the world to you?” He said “That’s easy. My family. My wife and two children.”

I followed up with him. “So how much time do you spend with your wife and young kids?” “Well, he admitted, I get up and go to my law office before my kids get up for school.” And I come home at night after they have gone to bed.”
“That’s too bad,” I countered.

“Yes, I know,” he said.

“Wait a second,” I said. “You just told me that your family is the most important thing in the world to you.” “That’s absolutely true,” he insisted.

“Then why do you spend more time at work during the week than you do with your kids? Why don’t you make spending time with your children more of a priority?”

I will never forget his response. “You don’t understand,” he said. “I spend so much time at work because I am providing for my family. My wife doesn’t work and I want to build up a sufficient nest egg so my kids can go to college and have a reserve of their own when they enter adulthood.”

I smiled ruefully. “I understand your motivation. You want to be a terrific provider. You want to be a great role model for parental responsibility. You want to leave no stone unturned in setting up your son and daughter for success financially.”

“That’s a good summary,” he said. “I want to do everything I can and work as hard as I can now to help my wife and children. I want us all to be able to live a certain lifestyle that makes us happy and feel fulfilled. We live in a neighborhood and interact with people who are under the same pressures to maintain that lifestyle and provide a wonderful life for their kids.”

“I get it,” I responded. “But as you continue to live this kind of life,” time is going by. Your kids will be moving out of the house before you know it. You will not be able to get this time back. This is precious time for you as a spouse and a parent. If we examine the way you are spending your time throughout the week, it does not match up with your statement that your family is the most important thing in the world to you. There is a disconnect between what you are saying and how you are living your life.”

My friend shook his head and smiled back at me. “You are right,” he said. “I am telling myself one thing and living my life in a different way.”

“It is never too late to change,” I said. “You can change your behaviors, you can change your schedule, you can rebalance your priorities, you can learn more effective time management skills, you can ask your wife for suggestions, you can control your schedule instead of allowing it to control you. It will take a true commitment from you and a willingness to make these adjustments. You are smart, you are conscientious, you are loving. You can do this,” I said.

Friends, life goes by quickly. Please live your life in accordance with your highest priorities. If you have a family and dear friends, spend quality time with them. As we head into 2026, please remember that meaningful relationships are a key factor in bringing ourselves happiness, in providing meaning for our lives and in contributing to a long and healthy life.

I am experiencing joy this weekend as my wife and I spend it with our two sons, their wives and our two adorable granddaughters. Nothing brings me greater happiness.

I hope you all enjoy a terrific 2026 filled with gratitude, purpose and satisfaction!!!

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-Larry