What's quality time worth to you?

I just spent two weeks with my dad. As my family and I prepare for an international move, he volunteered to travel over from Canada to help us paint our new house.

As we painted, wallpapered, listened to music, chatted and reconnected, my dad reminded me that in his 30s, he took two weeks off to help his dad with a project. It remains one of his fondest memories of his late father. When in adult life do you get the opportunity to spend two uninterrupted weeks with your parent(s)? He hoped to recreate this fond memory with me.

That stopped me in my tracks. While I was beyond grateful that my dad flew halfway across the world to help us with the renovation, I was also caught up on logistics - childcare for my son, ordering supplies, booking flights, and managing work.

Now back in Paris and back to work, I’m playing a game of catch-up. I held my regular coaching sessions while in Stockholm, but everything else including new client outreach, admin, and business development fell by the wayside. I have a hill to climb, but I’m content with my choice. 

Choices are not always easy. They don’t always kill two birds with one stone, they don’t create 28 hours in a day, and they might require saying no to some things in order to create room for other things. 

I left my corporate career so that I could live a life in accordance with my values, including my value of connection. And that’s what this choice represented. Living in choice is to live a balanced and fulfilled life.

What are your values? And what do you have to say yes/no to in order to live in alignment with them?