The Critical Life (and Work) Lesson Captured in a Photo from 1977

My father died when I was 17.

Today, I came across a grainy photo from 1977 that captures in one chaotic moment where his focus was most nights.

In the image, he's on his hands and knees, crawling on the floor as my two older sisters (ages 6 and 4) ride on his back. His left arm is reaching out, keeping my two-year-old self from falling over as I laugh hysterically at his antics.

Nearby, our family dog Molly monitors the situation, ready to pounce in on the fun at a moment's notice.

What I remember (and what is eternal) was my father's character and his choice to spend time pouring into the lives of his kids vs. chasing career ambitions.

Kids spell "love" T-I-M-E and it's a major reason I work from home and shape my schedule around our family life (not the other way around).

I would give anything for more time with my dad, and it impacted me profoundly that he was always home around 4pm every day and available for me on weekends too.

In today's online era, there is literally no excuse not to do work you love and shape your work schedule around your family (not the other way around).

If you find yourself reading this on yet another Monday morning where you're miserable at work and missing your family, then let's do something about it!

Back in 2012, I worked a "safe" day job that paid me six figures and had great benefits.

And I was miserable.

I used to drive home each evening listening to the song "Moving Backwards" by Ben Rector, daydreaming about a time when I'd walk into my boss' office and say the opening words to the song:

I saw you there and looked you straight between the eyes and said, "I'm leaving."

One day, I finally did.

When I quit that "safe" day job, I had one client, enough money for 30 days and a stay-at-home wife and three young boys depending on me.

It wasn't a "safe" situation. I didn't have investors or a huge pile of cash to fall back on.

What I did have, however, was a plan - using the Internet (LinkedIn in particular) to find, engage and sell to my ideal clients.

I share the entire story on this Webinar: https://linkedinriches.com/webinar-coaching/

One thing I'd discovered watching my dad in the 17 years we had together was that he didn't play it safe with life. He dared to be great and dream big.

So I decided I would, too.

So after quitting that "safe" day job back in 2012, I'm still standing, six years later, writing you this note from my home office.

Regardless of whether you ever want to work with me directly inside one of my online courses or via 1-on-1 coaching, my challenge to you is this ...

Build your work around your family life - not the other way around.

The impact of this will long outlive your work-related accomplishments, as evidenced by the photo I shared above.

Sound like a plan?

Good.

Now let's make it happen!