3 Ways To Kickstart Your Family

    One of the great things about living in the state of Idaho is that we get to experience all four seasons during the year.  There is nothing better than spring and fall in Idaho.  Summer lends itself during the year to camping trips and day trips to the mountains to play in the hills.  We even get the chance to experience winter every year.  You may have seen snow before but you have not really experienced winter until you have had the chance to push your car out of a snowbank.

    Even if you have not had the pleasure of digging your car out of the snow you know what I am talking about if you have ever been stuck anywhere in your car.  Trying to go forward and backward in an effort to get some sort of momentum to get your vehicle out of the place you find yourself stuck is something you will always remember.

    I would venture to guess at one point or another we have all felt this way in our families.  These ruts we find ourselves in are sometimes deeper than others.  Our family seems like we battle this every year toward the end of the winter months.  As Kendra and I talk we just need a change.  We have been cooped up in the house due to the cold and we find ourselves stuck in that rut because we need a kickstart to help get the momentum to get out of that rut.

    When we get complacent with the way things are we often settle into the way things are going.  As a business when you get complacent there is a good chance you are going to find the industry pass you by.  This is not to say that we don’t enjoy it when things are going well.  When we have those times when things are going well we need to take note of what is making things go great for us and build upon them.

    If you find yourself like my family each year coming out of winter hibernation there are some ways we can kickstart things when we find ourselves stuck in a rut and need to gain some momentum in our family organization.

     In our family, we try and set aside, at least, one night a week to be together.  This time can be to have a family council to take inventory of what is going well or discuss ways with the whole family how to get out of the rut.  You will be surprised by what your children come up with.  When we find ourselves needing that push to get the momentum going we plan activities for that night.  A time where we can just do something different than our normal routine to get things going.  Do something where the family can interact with one another and you will be surprised to see the momentum this brings.

     If you or your children are active in programs outside the house go support each other as a family.  I love that my wife has encouraged this with our children from a very young age.  My son knows every step of my daughter’s dance routine and my daughter knows all the moves of my son’s karate class.  This has helped bring them closer together at home as well as they can practice together and encourage each other.  As your kids support each other have them tell their siblings one thing they really liked they did after the activity.  This will encourage them to pay attention and support one another as well as give confidence because there is something special about hearing you did something well from your brother or sister.

    So many times when we think of service we think of a waiter or maid waiting on us hand and foot.  The service that truly builds momentum in a family is simply looking out for each other’s needs and finding a way to serve the members of our family.  Nothing says love like paying attention to the members of your family and trying to help in any way you can.  This will jumpstart your family, your marriage, and any organization you are a part of.  If ever you are lost at what to do when you need momentum simply look to serve. Take the time to love one another and you see that push you need.

    There are many other things that you can do to get this momentum you are looking for.  The most important thing is that you do something.  Momentum only comes after action.  So if you need to get going take action today!  Go to the park, play a game, or just simply start doing something together.  Once you have that momentum going keep taking action.  The funny thing about momentum is if you stop applying action to it you will find the ball will eventually stop rolling.  When that happens start back at step one and take action.