Sydney, Australia, 1989.
So here I was… making it in the super-competitive business world. I was: heir apparent in a major multi-national ad firm, marketing writer, national new-business director, just voted in the top 10 across the country, blah blah. An ‘80’s Mad Man.
And then we had a third child, unexpectedly.
I came home one night late (as usual) from the office and my wife asked me to change our 6-month-old son’s diapers. But as he was lying on his back on the changing table, I saw in his eyes a look which I’ve ever forgotten.
That look said to me, “I don’t care what your title is; I don’t care how much you earn; my nappy needs cleaning and that’s your job now.”
It hit me like a ton of bricks. I suddenly realised: THIS is what matters, this is the real life, not the fleeting trappings of work and hierarchy at the office. The scales fell from my eyes. Within a year, I had resigned and moved back to a smaller and saner environment where we could be more involved in raising our kids.
That was my lifestyle moment. I’ve never regretted it.
Postscript: that Aussie son is now 30 and when I tell him the story he smiles and kids me, but has no memory of it.
It’s ok dude, I’ve got it for both of us.
Well said! Thank you for this succinct but valuable lesson. I get caught up in the weeds of work and tend to forget what ultimately matters.