Is your family stuck in a rut? Are you bored? Do you find yourself wondering how you got so far off track.
All families go through times like these occasionally. We would
love to be able to push a pause button and just sit, regroup and get
back on track. While that’s not literally an option, life doesn’t come with a pause
button, there are ways we can get back in touch with our families. With a
bit of effort it is possible to get in sync, connect and move forward
in a deliberate and meaningful way as a team.
These are a few things you do
occasionally to get back on the same page.
1) Have deep and meaningful conversations. After
being with someone for months or years it’s easy to take them for
granted. We assume we know them better than they know themselves. We
consider ourselves experts on their likes and dislikes, their needs and
wants. And I’m sure you know what they say about assuming. The thing is
people change. Their tastes change. Their hopes and dreams evolve. Their
outlook on life has likely changed significantly to what it was 15
years ago. The simple act of sitting and talking about things that matter can do
wonders to deepen the understanding we have for one another.
2. Be present. When we’re distracted by cell phones,
email, work, presentations, TV etc. it’s difficult to really appreciate
what’s going on around you. Think about it – if you’re at work trying
to have a conversation with your boss but he/she is constantly checking
his/her email, phone messages and waving at everyone that walks past the
window, how would you feel? Frustrated? Unimportant? Discounted?
You can only fully experience something and give someone your
undivided attention when you don’t have the temptation to be somewhere
other than where you are in that moment. Your family is no different.
3. Do something fun. Block out a chunk of time and do
something fun with your entire family. Go for a walk, ride your bikes or
go skating. Do something none of you have done before like rock-wall
climbing, yoga or badminton. Team activities where you have to work
together to succeed are great ways to promote trust, increase the sense
of belonging and unite you as a team.
4. Plan for the future. Think as long term or short
term. Maybe you want to plan your holidays or what you will do
once you’re done school. Maybe you want to plan a little further out and
think about retirement or early retirement if that’s in the cards.
Planning together gives a sense of longevity to the relationship and
gives you something to work towards together.
5. Invest in your family. Take the time to really put
your family first. So many of us simply pay lip service to the phrase
“family is my number one priority” yet very few of us actually live it.
Investing a bit of time and energy in your family can tighten that core
unit, make everyone feel safe and secure and raise happiness to levels
you only imagined.
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