The costliest lie in business: \"I'll make it up to my family later\"

I was shocked when a business owner told me recently: "Family holidays? I skip those. I'm always too busy with work."

With Easter weekend approaching, his words have been echoing in my mind. Because he wasn't being selfish - quite the opposite. He truly believed his sacrifice was for his family's benefit.

Maybe you've found yourself making similar trade-offs:

• Late nights at the office
• Weekends lost to endless work
• Missing school concerts and sports days
• Breaking promises to your kids... again

All while telling yourself: "Someday this will all be worth it."

Why This Matters to You

For many business owners, holidays like Easter create a painful tug-of-war. There's the pull of family traditions and precious time together, competing with the demands of your business that never seem to stop.

You might be thinking about working through part of the weekend "just to stay on top of things" or planning to keep your laptop nearby "in case something comes up."

These small compromises seem reasonable in the moment. But they're part of a pattern that can lead to a devastating outcome: success in business, failure at home.

Why Most People Struggle With This

The most dangerous lies are the ones we truly believe.

And "I'll make it up to them later" is perhaps the most costly self-deception in business.

Here's what actually happens when we fall for this lie:

• Children grow up (they do this exactly once)
• Partners grow distant
• Family bonds weaken
• Memories are created without you in them

The cruel irony? The business that was meant to support your family is actually robbing them of you.

My client didn't see this connection. He was building what he thought was security for his family, while actually missing the very moments that create a sense of family in the first place.

And that's the trap many of us fall into - working for a future that never arrives, while missing the present that's happening right now.

Breaking Free from the Sacrifice Cycle

There is a better way. Easter weekend - a traditional time for family gatherings - is the perfect opportunity to start changing this pattern.

Your business should give you freedom, not rob it. With the right systems and structure, you can:

• Take guilt-free holidays
• Be present for family milestones
• Build a more valuable business
• Create memories alongside success

In my own business, I made this shift after realising how much I was missing.

I built systems that could run without me constantly monitoring them.

I trained my team to handle most situations independently.

I set clear boundaries with clients about when I was and wasn't available.

The result wasn't business decline - it was business growth. And more importantly, it was growth that didn't come at the expense of my family relationships.

Making This Easter Different

As Easter approaches, ask yourself: what will your children or partner remember about this weekend five years from now?

Will they remember that you were physically present but mentally absent, checking your phone every few minutes? Or will they remember the conversations, the laughter, the simple joy of having your full attention?

Remember: Kids don't look back and think, "I wish Mum or Dad worked more." They remember who was there for the important moments.

Taking time away isn't just good for your family - it's good for your business too. The perspective and refreshment you gain from truly disconnecting makes you sharper, more creative, and more effective when you return.

Takeaways for a Life Without Regrets

Here's what I want you to consider this Easter:

- The work will always be there. Your child's Easter egg hunt will happen exactly once.

- Your business should support your life goals, not replace them. If your business requires constant sacrifice of family time, it's not really serving its purpose.

- Small changes make a big difference. You don't need to transform everything overnight. Start with being fully present for one day this Easter weekend.

- Building a business that can function without you isn't just good for your family - it increases your business value. The most valuable businesses are those that don't depend entirely on their owner.

Every day you postpone this change is another day of memories you can't get back. This Easter, give yourself permission to be fully present with your family.

What will you do differently this Easter weekend to be truly present with the people who matter most?