Q: I used to believe that if I ran a successful business, every other piece of my life would take care of itself. Yet, I hardly recognize my children. How do I get back in touch?
A: Realizing you've sacrificed relationships to grow your business is a step toward repairing relationships. Also, you should do the following:
Forgive yourself and move on. Guilt over lost time prevents reconnecting with those you love. It anchors you to sadness instead of joy and happiness.
Communicate with your loved ones. Acknowledge who you've been in the past and the distance it has created; communicate your commitment to reconnecting.
Keep your word. There's no one better than children at helping us keep our word. Ask your kids to hold you accountable for "being present" when you're with them, instead of thinking about, or being interrupted by, work. --Clay Nelson is a business coach to contractors nationwide, www.cjenterprises.com.