Men have so many things pressing down on them as a father; husband and provider it seems like things are always getting screwed up. "I forgot my kids birthday! I missed my kid's football practice! I got yelled at by my wife for not picking up Junior from a sleepover! I missed another meeting at work!" You know the drill.



What seems to be a good day is crushed by screwing up again because so much is demanded at home and at work. How can I ever get things back on track!



It seems often times overwhelming - but balance and priorities are achievable. It will not happen overnight, but you can work at some basics that will "unscrew" the crazy situations that you find yourself in each day. Here are a few points to get rolling in the right direction.



1. If you live in the Dallas area - start attending the Gathering of Men luncheon series that starts on Sept. 19, 2007. Highland Park Presbyterian. Check out our home page to find out more info. www.thefourprities.com.



2. Begin a three-times-weekly routine of reading and exercise. Most guys are not fresh mentally because their body is not stimulated and they are not learning, laughing or engaged in any drama or action in a good book or magazine. Take 45 minutes to read and go for a walk, bike ride or run three times a week. You will be amazed at what a difference it will make in your week.



3. Have a family meeting for 1/2 hour each week. Your schedule is probably as crazy after work as it is during the day. Set aside this time for everyone in the family to get together and go over their schedule for the week. It is amazing how much you will remember about the rhythm of your week just by meeting each week even if you dont write it all down!



4. Put away your phone and email for at least 3 hours a day in non-working hours. In our fast paced world it is almost impossible not to respond to work or personal email before or after work hours. However - you cannon let it dominate everything! If you get at home at 6 pm - don't look at anything for two to three hours and connect personally with yourself and your family and then give yourself 1/2 hour to address the phone or email each evening if necessary. But, pick a block of time to totally shut down and focus on your self and your family.



5. Eat Together as a family at least 2 times a week.



Start with these five basic steps this next week and let me know how it goes. It wont go perfect - but life is not about perfection it is about progre

Men have so many things pressing down on them as a father; husband and provider it seems like things are always getting screwed up. "I forgot my kids birthday! I missed my kid's football practice! I got yelled at by my wife for not picking up Junior from a sleepover! I missed another meeting at work!" You know the drill.



What seems to be a good day is crushed by screwing up again because so much is demanded at home and at work. How can I ever get things back on track!



It seems often times overwhelming - but balance and priorities are achievable. It will not happen overnight, but you can work at some basics that will "unscrew" the crazy situations that you find yourself in each day. Here are a few points to get rolling in the right direction.



1. If you live in the Dallas area - start attending the Gathering of Men luncheon series that starts on Sept. 19, 2007. Highland Park Presbyterian. Check out our home page to find out more info. www.thefourprities.com.



2. Begin a three-times-weekly routine of reading and exercise. Most guys are not fresh mentally because their body is not stimulated and they are not learning, laughing or engaged in any drama or action in a good book or magazine. Take 45 minutes to read and go for a walk, bike ride or run three times a week. You will be amazed at what a difference it will make in your week.



3. Have a family meeting for 1/2 hour each week. Your schedule is probably as crazy after work as it is during the day. Set aside this time for everyone in the family to get together and go over their schedule for the week. It is amazing how much you will remember about the rhythm of your week just by meeting each week even if you dont write it all down!



4. Put away your phone and email for at least 3 hours a day in non-working hours. In our fast paced world it is almost impossible not to respond to work or personal email before or after work hours. However - you cannon let it dominate everything! If you get at home at 6 pm - don't look at anything for two to three hours and connect personally with yourself and your family and then give yourself 1/2 hour to address the phone or email each evening if necessary. But, pick a block of time to totally shut down and focus on your self and your family.



5. Eat Together as a family at least 2 times a week.



Start with these five basic steps this next week and let me know how it goes. It wont go perfect - but life is not about perfection it is about progre