I had to share this email from Mark Bryant, Senior Executive at JPI and a man who I have worked with for years and consider a friend. For the sake of space I will not include the entire comments but the main points made by George Cloutier, author of Profits Aren't Everything, They're the Only Thing: No-Nonsense Advice from the Ultimate Contrarian and Small Business Guru.

"Centuries ago when I attended Harvard Business School, I took a course on entrepreneurship. The professor was brilliant... He said something on the first day of class that has stayed with me ever since. He asked us, "Will all the married students please stand up?" He asked them to leave and told them that a family would get in the way of their success, so there wasn't much point in them taking his course. "

"Valentine's Day is coming up. It's a lovely idea-by all means, make it an occasion to show your spouse, kids, loved ones that you care. Then get your behind to the office because that's where you need to be. Your family will still be there when you get home. The same goes for special days like birthdays and anniversaries."

"Your cell phone is for keeping in touch with clients, not for taking calls from your spouse throughout the day about what groceries to pick up on the way home. Cutting out early to take your kids to baseball practice three times a week are unacceptable interruptions to sucess."

"Of course you have every right to a life, if you  care about making money that is. If you don't want to put your business before all  other considerations, then prepare for a life of financial mediocrity...but if you love your business more than your family in the end you create the legacy of a business that is thriving and financially sound...when you're retired and wealthy and able to spend Valentine's Day and other occassions with your kids and grandkids at your winter home on Hilton Head, you will be glad you devoted so much of your time to your first love: your business."

My question is, "Is it worth it?" What do you think?

rb

I wonder what Randy Pausch's response would be?