Saying Yes Or No
Work can produce tensions of its own and so can family life. Put the two together and some fairly hefty stress loads can be found.
As a result, someone or something is not going to get what they deserve from you, what they want from you, what they need from you and certainly not what they expect from you. There is no way around it. There is just not enough time in your day to be all things to all people. You are going to have to make choices where some win and some lose. If we don't face up to this reality - then the truth is, we are acting as if we are omnipotent. You can have a go at being omnipotent if you really want to but the stress levels are fairly high for that role!!!
Good Intentions Are Never Enough
No-one reading this has bad intentions towards your family or friends. But good intentions are simply not enough. If I hit you with my tennis racket but my intention is to hit the ball you still have bruised eye cut lips and you still require a trip to ER. In the physical world that is clear enough. But the same is true in the world of relationships. Good intentions even the desire of our hearts will never heal the damage left by our absence, our preoccupation or our misprioritization.
Those of you who have a faith - let me put it this way to you. It's no good praying to God and asking him to stand watch over your family while you give to a career what actually belongs to them.
And if you are like most people, you cannot give all the time expected of you to both work & family - somewhere you have to say Yes and somewhere you will have to say No.
Saying Yes Always Means Saying No Somewhere Else!!