Yesterday was the forth of July, and like many people, my day wrapped up with a fireworks show. It was a fitting end to a stretch of 6-7 really hard days. My wife and I just had our second child, an amazing little boy, and after about 3 weeks the reality of two children and two jobs really set in. As part of a team trying to make a start up a success, how do I take care of my wife and kids, while taking care of my company at the same time? This was the question going through my head. The success of the company is key to many long term personal and professional goal I have, but in the short-term, how am I supposed to raise two kids and raise a company at the same time?
I could not find an answer. I looked everywhere I could think and was just not finding anything. I believed in myself, and knew there had to be an answer, but I wanted one solid confirmation, from somewhere, that the road before me was possible.
Yesterday, I finally got that answer, from an unexpected place and in an unexpected way. My wife's family has a large "reunion" of sorts every year, 90+ people are here this year. Early in the day I had the privilege of a short conversation with one of my wife's family members. She happens to be a retired CEO of a multi-billion dollar corporation and knows a thing or two about business and family. We've spoken on many occasions, but this conversation was very timely. I was sitting in our room alone with my little boy as he was getting ready for a nap. She had not met him yet and was very anxious to do so. She knocked on the door and came in to say hello. As she was holding my son she said, "Oh, I'm so jealous, I want a baby again."
This simple sentence was all I needed. She has children and grandchildren of her own, worked with leaders in both politics and business all over the world, even spends time with a Queen from time to time, and here she's jealous because I have this beautiful baby boy.
To me, her sentence said, "You can do it," and was all I needed to get back on track. I spent the rest of the day enjoying my family, and thinking about work again. I even finished off the day with a great idea for the company.
It sure feels good to be back on track again.
