"Un homme ne devrait jamais négliger sa famille pour les affaires"

Balancing work and family life can be a tricky dance. The essence of the quote—never putting work ahead of family—is both simple and profound. It’s about making sure that, no matter how busy or successful we become, we don't let our jobs take over the time and attention our loved ones deserve.

Historically, this idea has roots in many cultures and philosophies. Think of the Industrial Revolution, a time when many were caught up in the grind of factory work. Families often suffered as men, and sometimes women, were away from home for long hours. Fast forward to today, with our smartphones and constant connectivity, and you see the same struggle. We're always “on,” always reachable, and it’s easy to let work seep into family time.

Imagine you’re a top executive juggling endless meetings and emails. You get home late, your kids are already in bed, and your spouse is asleep. You tell yourself it's just temporary, but weeks turn into months, and suddenly you realize you’ve missed out on so many precious moments. That’s the core of this quote—it’s a reminder to not let that happen.

Let's talk practical application. Take the example of a friend of mine, Sarah. She’s a high-powered attorney—really good at what she does, but it was consuming her. She used to work late into the night and on weekends, hardly ever seeing her kids. One day, her daughter asked why she was never home. That question hit her hard. Sarah made a drastic change. She started leaving work at a reasonable hour and set boundaries—no work calls during dinner, weekends reserved for family. Her career didn’t suffer; in fact, she found she was more focused and productive during her working hours. Her relationship with her family improved dramatically. They were happier, and so was she.

So, how can you make sure you’re living this wisdom? Start by setting clear boundaries. When you’re at home, be at home. Turn off your work phone, close that laptop, and be present. Plan family activities and treat them as important meetings—non-negotiable. It might feel strange at first, but you’ll find it’s worth it.

Here’s a little story to wrap this all together. Picture this: John, a successful entrepreneur, is always busy. He thinks his family understands, but one day, his son has a school play. John promises to be there. But, caught up in a last-minute client crisis, he misses it. His son’s face when he gets home—disappointed but trying to be brave—haunts him. That’s when John realizes that no business deal is worth missing the key moments in his family’s life. He starts prioritizing his family—dinner together every night, weekends for his kids. His business does just fine, but his family thrives.

In the end, it’s about what you value most. We work hard to provide for our families, but if we’re never there, what’s the point? Don’t let your job take the place of the people who matter most. Those moments with your loved ones are irreplaceable—cherish them, protect them, and make them a priority.