“He who stops being better stops being good.”  ~ Oliver Cromwell

It took years for me to manage the lesson of avoiding value conflicts. I  learned about this concept from a Tony Robbins power talk. Robbins is a wealth of information and I recommend you study his work. 

When I was running our small business, it was my goal to have the strongest brand and the most volume in our community. At the same time, it was my goal to be the best father I could be. Both require enormous time and emotional commitment. Consequently, when at work, I was beating the crap out of myself because I should be with my kids. When with my family, I’m beating myself up because I should be working. An exhausting no-win situation because my values were in conflict. 

As my mentor got me involved with personal development, I learned to goalset and rank them. I finally got a handle of this one. I was working to provide for my family and they were my highest priority. I had to accept that and make my decisions accordingly. Yes, it cost me money and customers, but I still managed to provide financially for my family. Yes, it was hard, but I have no regrets. 

I attended every school event, including the extracurriculars, and spent time having fun with my kids on a regular basis. I couldn’t be more proud of how they’ve turned out. The next time you find yourself angry or frustrated, take a few deep breaths, step away, and honestly examine if you’re experiencing a value conflict. Figure it out, then manage it. You’ll find yourself “getting a life”.

“Learn to work harder on yourself than you do your job. It will turn your life around.” – Jim Rohn