Sitting around a campfire with a group of successful men, I asked them all a very important question: “How do you manage work and family well?” I expected them to tell me great tips and hacks they’ve found throughout the years only to discover they all share the same struggle. One man jokingly said, “If you figure it out, please let me know.”
One by one, they shared their struggles with managing work and family, but surprisingly, they also all shared insight on how they try to balance the two. It was interesting to hear that regardless of how good or bad they were doing at it, they all felt like they could do better. I took notes that evening. While this is a struggle for most men, being intentional is key when you’re learning how to manage work and family. Here are 5 principles these men shared to help any man win at home, even with a busy career.
1. Master time.
Mastering time means we manage our calendars instead of letting them manage us. We must prioritize tasks and keep in mind our family commitments when we plan out our week. This doesn’t just happen; we must establish boundaries by scheduling work hours and family time. The tip that stood out most from the campfire was, “If you have to cheat on work or family, always cheat on work.” Use tools like digital calendars and schedulers to keep track of all the tasks that fill your time.
2. Overcommunicate.
One of the men at the campfire shared a simple yet profound principle: “Don’t just communicate—say it, then say it again.” Overcommunicating is essential in all areas of life. It brings clarity and eliminates unnecessary conflicts. By sharing your calendar with family and coworkers, they know what to expect because they know when you will and won’t be available. Overcommunicating builds trust and fosters transparency and mutual respect in both your personal and professional life.
3. Ask for help when you need help.
This one I struggle with the most—I hate to ask for help. That night at the campfire, an older man said, “Superman was the only man that could do it all, and he isn’t real.” Nobody can do everything, and it’s OK for us to ask for help. When family commitments are busy, lean on coworkers to help you fill gaps. Asking for help is an effective strategy for better management of work and home.
4. Make time for yourself.
Our campfire discussion was one evening of our hunting trip with just the guys. Several men mentioned that you must schedule trips like we were on to make time for yourself. We can’t get lost in the demands of work and family and then find ourselves tired and burnt out with both. Taking care of yourself helps you bring more energy and focus to work and home.
5. Be at home when you’re home.
As we were about to go to bed, being present at home was a massive part of the conversation. The discussion focused on ensuring quality time precedes quantity with your family. We challenged each other that evening to start making it a point to be a “YES” dad when we are at home. Saying yes to throwing the ball, shooting hoops, or playing games will show your family you are present. When you are home, be home and fully present.
Sound off: What have you learned from experience about how to balance work and family?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What’s the hardest part about being a kid? What the best part?”