by Lowman S. Henry | July 15, 2005

Summer offers a rare opportunity for family time

It is the middle of summer. The kids are out of school and it is time for the family vacation. For many American families, this is the only opportunity they will get all year to spend an extended amount of time with each other.

The pace of our lives has quickened considerably. The demands of a global economy require many to work more hours simply to stay competitive. For the dwindling number of households with two parents, both must often work to pay the family bills. Add to that the fact cell phones and computers allow us to work even while at home and, well, time with the family or even time for personal rest and recreation becomes the first casualty.

Whether a hard-driven businessman, or a “have it all” mom, balancing work responsibilities with family life presents challenges. What do you do when you have an important business meeting or trip and the same day your son or daughter is about to appear in the local all-star baseball game? What if you are devoutly religious and your boss wants you to work on the Sabbath?

The Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc., supported by a grant from the John Templeton foundation, recently conducted a poll of 897 Pennsylvania business leaders to ask them how they are doing in bringing balance to their lives. The answer: it’s tough; it’s getting tougher; but, we’re doing surprisingly well.

There was near unanimous agreement on the part of those participating in the A Life in Balance poll that it is important to balance your personal career or work experience with family life and recreational time. A total of 97% said that such balance is important. A majority, 54% said they feel they do spend about the right about of time on business and professional activities, while 38% admitted to spending too much time working and not enough time with their family.

Each generation thinks life is more difficult and fast-paced than those that came before it, and Pennsylvania’s business leaders today are no exception to that rule. Seventy percent of the respondents said it is more difficult to balance business/career demands with family/leisure time activities than it was ten years ago.

Contrary to popular belief, money is not necessarily what many people consider to be the key barometer of their success. Only 17% of those surveyed said the most important measure of success was how much money a person makes, while 81% said it was not. Conversely, when asked if the most important measure of success was what one does to help others, 89% voiced their agreement.

It also turns out that money was not the most influential factor most Pennsylvania business leaders used to decide on their current occupation. Thirty percent said they chose their occupation because of personal interest in the job. Another 26% say their current job “fits their abilities,” while 21% are working in family businesses. Another 11% chose their career because of the societal or community good they could do. Just seven percent listed money or pay as the determining factor in their selection of an occupation.

The Lincoln Institute survey also found that we remain a society willing to invest our time in community or church activities. Sixty percent of the business leaders polled said they have served as an adult leader for organized youth activities such as coaching a sports team or helping with a scout troop. Sixty-five percent reported spending at least one hour per week performing volunteer or community service.

And so we find many Pennsylvanians are trying hard to bring balance to their lives. They realize that while earning money is necessary and their careers may be fulfilling, it is also important to spend time with family and friends, and to be an active part of their church and community. It may not be possible to have it all, but it is possible to have a little bit of everything.