Build a little Better – Caring for our families

The Power of Moments: Building a Life That Supports What Matters Most

In my work with teams, bootcamps, masterminds, and one-on-one coaching, I often find myself thinking not just about people’s careers, but about their families waiting at home. I worry about the children who need time and attention, about spouses carrying the load alone, and about how easily this industry pulls us into imbalance. At the end of the day, no amount of professional progress can make up for losing connection with the people we love.

Over the years, I’ve learned that before any worker, foreman, field engineer, or project engineer focuses solely on career advancement, they first need a stable foundation at home. That begins with simple but powerful commitments: having a weekly date night, working reasonable hours, helping your spouse with the daily tasks, and being fully present when you walk through the door. These habits aren’t just nice ideas they are lifelines that protect relationships from the strain of this demanding industry.

I also believe deeply in the value of creating meaningful moments with our children. Not grand gestures, but small, intentional experiences that say, “I see you, I love you, and you matter.” Too often we justify long hours by telling ourselves we’re providing for our families, even as our habits unintentionally distance us from them. A poem I love, Father Forgets, captures this truth with painful clarity: we sometimes measure our children by adult expectations while overlooking their innocence, their effort, and their longing for connection. The poem is a reminder that the moments we miss are often the moments that matter most.

Looking back at my own career, I remember times when I worked 90-hour weeks and thought I was doing the right thing. But the truth is this: at the end of my life, no project milestone will mean more than whether I showed up for my family. No superintendent or project manager has ever said, “I wish I spent more time at work.” Instead, the common regret is wishing they had been more present, more patient, and more intentional with their loved ones.

The good news is that we can change. We can decompress on the drive home, clear our minds, walk in with positive energy, and give 100 percent to the people who matter most. We can use our calendars and to-do lists to schedule moments that build connection date nights, game nights, family outings, simple surprises. We can read books that strengthen our relationships, learn about love languages, and choose to give without expecting anything in return.

My hope is that as people grow in this industry workers, foremen, field engineers, project engineers, managers they not only become leaders at work but remain leaders at home. Our families should never bear the burden of a failed project, a bad schedule, or an unhealthy work culture. With the right habits and the right reminders, we can build careers that elevate our lives instead of draining them.

Key Takeaway

When we protect our families, prioritize connection, and show up with intention, we build a life that is whole, balanced, and deeply fulfilling.