I pondered these questions often realizing more and more with each passing day that I was working for things I couldn’t enjoy because I was to busy. There is nothing wrong with having nice things and working to provide, but when the process has more value than the product something is wrong. Simply put when working to provide becomes your life instead of supports your life, there is definitely something off balance.

I was living to work instead of working to live. This is a predicament that many of us find ourselves in. We work so hard to provide for our families that we rarely get to spend time with them. The process has become more important than the product. What is the product?

The product that is the end result from the process of working hard should be a more enjoyable life. It should consist of more time with the family, more enjoyment for those you love and more time for the things you are passionate about. Too often, this is not the case.

We spend our lives living to work and when we retire, finally begin to work to live. What is more important to you? Are you so engulfed in the process that you’ve forgotten the product and what you work so hard for?

Dr. James Levine, an obesity researcher of the Mayo Clinic believes there is. There has been a lot of buzz about his creation of what he calls the “Treadmill Desk.” Simply put, it is a desk that is taller than normal and instead of sitting down while you work, you stand upright and walk on a treadmill.

Walking at a pace of just 1 mile per hour, it is estimated that a person can burn an extra 100 calories per hour. Offices around the country are adopting this philosophy. Dr. Levine researches the calories people burn during everyday activities. I think he is definitely on to something with this invention. I like the idea of burning calories while getting work done!

Due to the great transportation system downtown, you rarely have to drive if you book a hotel downtown.  Some of the other attractions include the Market Square, concerts and a host of festivals offered throughout the year.  There are many special rates for hotels on the Riverwalk if you book during non-peak times.  One key to getting good hotel rates in San Antonio is to visit during the week days. Here are some links to some of San Antonio’s attractions:

The Riverwalk

Sea World San Antonio

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

I love the competition and I love the camaraderie. I love the screaming fans, the wave, the painted faces, and the tailgate parties. I love to hear crashing helmets and watch the quarterback get smashed by the defensive linemen. I love watching the teams I cheer against drop passes. I love for games to tie up in the last two minutes so I can watch more in overtime. I love it when the referees throw the flags and I correctly guess the penalty, the offending player and the associated number of penalty yards.
I love laughing at the crew on NFL on FOX – Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson, Mike Strahan, Curt. Let’s not forget The NFL Today crew – JB, Shannon, Bill, Boomer, et al.

I love Brett Favre and just might be the only one that’s glad to see him back, AGAIN! Hit ‘em Brett one more time!

I am so going to miss the voice of John Madden who after 30 years of colorful commentary retired this spring. Thanksgiving Day will never be the same again.

Nevertheless, football is here so let’s discuss a few of the top lottery picks for the 09-10 season. Shall we?

Will the Minnesota Vikings under the leadership of their new OLD quarterback have a promising season? Don’t know about the 16 regular season games but a win during the debut of the Favre is a great start.

Will Vince Young redeem himself during the preseason and win back the top spot on the Titans roster? Or is it too little too late for the yellow rose of Texas?

And what about Michael Vick? Will the unforgiving fans of the NFL cut him slack long enough to run a 1st and 10 in the city of brotherly love? I personally hope he makes a comeback. I think it’s pretty sad how people are treating him although he’s paid his debt to society. It’s not like he killed a human being. No wait, that was Donte’ Stallworth who got 24 days in jail and a two year “time-out”. But that’s a blog for another day. I digress.

Did I say I LOVE football? Let’s go Brett!

Where is the balance? You have to find ways to work around your family, literally. If you can set up a home office and have your wife nearby while you are working or the kids nearby, you can multi-task in the best way. It is important to make sure that you are not destroying your family in the process of building your business. It is also important to make sure you do not destroy your business because your family doesn’t understand the commitment involved.

The balance is in the middle. Every time you can eat breakfast, lunch or dinner with family and close friends, take the opportunity. Every time you can take a break for an hour or so and spend valuable time with your spouse and/or children, do it. Your business and your family can co exist and have a beautiful union. Remember which is more important. There is no value in working so hard to feed a family that you realize is no longer there because you neglected to include them in the process.

Always remember why you are doing what you are doing and who your are doing it for. Always put your family first, after all, that is one of the main goals behind building a business. You work hard for them!