“Lessons learned at home last the longest.”  – Thomas Monson 

Life finds new ways to challenge us.

Last week my wife had to travel for work.  She went on a 5 day business trip.

That meant 3 kids and I would be HOME ALONE.

3 kids + 101 activities + 1 busy work week = CHALLENGE.

Batten down the hatches.

The 5 day experience was:

• 1 part family bonding
• 1 part taxi / catering service
• 1 part fraternity pledge

The week taught me a few lessons:

1) Preparation is Magic.

Being prepared slows down the chaos.

I did the morning work the night before:

• Lunches made
• Bags packed
• Clothes laid out

This idea is simple, but NOT easy.  

I learned it takes willpower to start making lunches at 9pm after you have been up for 16 hours.

2) Get Up Early.

Getting up early is a HUGE advantage.

Getting up early allows you to set the tone for the day, before the day sets the tone for you.

2,400 years ago Aristotle said, “It is well to be up before daybreak, for such habits contribute to health, wealth, and wisdom.”

3) Focus on Your Main Priorities.

Where your focus goes, your energy flows.

I decided on each day’s priorities and ignored everything else.

I focused on the kids, work, and traffic lights.

Nothing else.

4) Ask For Help. 

LEADERS know when to ask for help.

Friends and grandparents were a HUGE help with after school pickups and homework.

5) Glitter and Jiu Jitsu do not mix.

I was able to sneak in 1 training session.

By accident, I washed my jiu jitsu gi with my daughter’s glitter tutu.

Note to self…

Glitter & MMA fighters don’t mix.

Each time my opponent smashed me into the mat, glitter bounced all over us.

Mid-round he asked, “Where is all this glitter coming from?”.

My opponent switched his attention from trying to submit me, to wiping all the silver glitter off his gi.

Amazingly, he revealed, “I have a glitter phobia“.

We had to take a break.

Guess that’s my version of  invisible jiu jitsu.

The end of the week came.  Everyone (and our house) was still standing.

Small victories are sometimes the most precious.

Not having the confidence to run the show for a week is AVERAGE.  

The experience of running a household with 3 kids for 5 days is REMARKABLE.

– Joe Ciccarone

Home Alone