As entrepreneurs, we can get all consumed with our work. How do you make sure work doesn’t fill up your entire life, so you don’t miss out on connecting with the people who matter the most to you? I believe a business that compromises your health and relationships is not a sustainable business model.
In this episode, I get cozy with Jim Sheils, the author of the Amazon best-seller, The Family Board Meeting. We talk about a simple solution that will deepen your connection and presence with your family. And even if you don’t have children, you can do this with your life partner as well.
Motivated by what he saw as one of the most tragic challenges of modern life—the disconnection of busy entrepreneurs from their families—Jim developed the Family Board Meeting process to help business owners bridge the gaps between themselves and their loved ones.
Jim’s message has spread around the globe, often called “Crazy Glue” for families. His popular and simple frameworks now reach thousands of parents worldwide, helping them feel more connected with their kids, be happier at home and leave a lasting legacy.
Jim is the founder of 18 Summers, which specializes in live events, workshops and private consulting for organizations looking to strengthen their family lives while still succeeding in business. He’s an in-demand public speaker, and owns a private real estate company that has done more than $200 million in transactions.
Providing and protecting is important, but sometimes you’ve got to just love your family.
– JIM SHEILS
What you'll hear (and don't want to miss!)
Jim’s process for value-based decision making and what qualities of his support him leading with love [5:03]
An experience where leading with love and prioritizing his values was challenged [8:13]
What is a family board meeting, how they work and where the inspiration to start them came from [13:02]
What Jim’s very first board meeting with his then 7-year old son looked like [19:00]
Why his private Facebook group is called “18 Summers,” and a shocking stat around the time we have to spend with our kids [20:58]
The amazing story of how “Pizza Fridays” began and the impact it had on Jim and his son [23:54]
What is needed for the family board meetings to work and what reading Jim’s book will give you [32:08]
A challenging time in his journey as an entrepreneur and parent [36:17]
What inspired Jim and his wife to homeschool their children and what the transition has looked like for the family [39:10]
The 3 major life areas, or core pillars, that he realized school wasn’t addressing and how to start imparted this wisdom to your children [42:33]
“What I saw was financial abundance and entrepreneurship are values of mine, but so many of my other values were being violated, so I had to walk away from this partnership.” [9:43]
“Providing and protecting is important, but sometimes you’ve got to just love your family.” [12:40]
“That what the family board meeting strategy is all about. It’s a simple rhythm to consistently have true quality time with each of your kids on an ongoing basis.” [18:04]
“If I can have a small part in helping an entrepreneur stay grounded with their kids, that’s top shelf for me.” [33:30]
“You have to have periods of time of complete and total unavailability. It’s the only way to truly be present.” [35:52]
“Perfection is such a disconnect. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about bridging our imperfections.” [39:28]
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