The holiday season is a time when many people pause to spend time with their family and loved ones.  It provides an opportunity to temporarily suspend the hustle and hurry of normal life and consider where you are at; personally, professionally and financially.  As we take the opportunity to examine ourselves, it is a good time to consider ways that our family and loved ones can become a greater area of focus.

The unfortunate situation that many people find themselves in is one where their desires leave little time to spare between work, hobbies, families, friends, investments, and other interests.  In some cases, the ‘odd man out’ in people’s schedule becomes friends and family.  This can generate very dangerous long-term effects if relationships are neglected.

One of the most important things that a person can do is to really determine where they draw the line in regards to time spent between business, family and friends.  The importance of this decision rests in the fact that life is a series of trade-off decisions.  Every time that we decide to do one thing, it means there is something else that does not happen.  When people become busy, it is natural that something we desire to accomplish will not get done.  The only question is what will fall off the end of the table.

A common practice for many people at the end of each year is the creation of “new years resolutions.”  As 2009 draws to a close, it may be worth your time to examine how your time is spent and dedicate one of your resolutions for the new year to living your life in accordance with your personal values and priorities.

Most people have a very clear idea of what they value the most in their life, but sometimes allow the ‘tyranny of the urgent’ to influence their life’s priorities.  By focusing on what is important, instead of only on what it urgent it will allow you to make 2010 one of your best years ever.