Last week I decided that I would step out and golf nine holes with a close friend, but I found myself feeling uneasy.  The weather was perfect, the conversation was better, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that I shouldn’t be there.  I did a little introspection in an attempt to figure out what was going on.

I realized that although I am able to spend more time with my kids than most fathers, I was spending less than I was used to with the pressures of the upcoming book release.  I have been in a state of semi-retirement for the last three years, and have been accustomed to taking some time for myself and still having tons of time with my family, but recently all my extra time has been spent with my kids and my wife.  It’s been either work or family; there hasn’t been much “me-time.”

As I considered this, I realized I was feeling guilty for the time I was spending on myself.  I then worked on my attitude and reminded myself that in order to be there for my family one hundred percent, I needed to take care of myself as well.  After a couple of deep breaths, a little prayer, and reminder that I deserved some self care, I let go of my guilt and enjoyed my game and my friend.

As Family First Entrepreneurs, we feel a duty to both our family and our business or occupation.  The duty to our family usually consists of spending time with them, giving them lots of attention and love.  The duty to our business or occupation links back to our duty to provide for that family, but what we often forget is—in order to do both those things well we also have a duty to ourselves.  We must do what we need to do for ourselves if we are to have enough physical, spiritual, emotional and mental energy to do what it takes to be productive and to also be there for the ones we love, especially in times of stress and heavy work-life demand.

The next time you take some much needed time for yourself and you find yourself feeling guilty, try and remember that you are doing it so you can be one hundred percent there for the duties for which you feel you are responsible.  One of those responsibilities is to take care of yourself.