Latest / Go Big with Gib Podcast / Ep 145. Put Down The Cape And Pick Up Legos

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Ep 145. Put Down The Cape And Pick Up Legos · Go Big with Gib Podcast

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Go Big With Gibb podcast, where we talk to professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs about their big wins.
• 0:09
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome back to Go Big With Gibb.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Gib Irons, and I want to talk today about something I think a lot of men experience, but very few talk about the pressure of being the provider.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: You're expected to perform at work, solve problems, pay the bills, and make sure everybody has what they need.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: And after a long, exhausting day, you walk through the front door.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: Your wife expects you to connect.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: Your children want your attention.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_00: And sometimes you've got absolutely nothing left in the tank.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: As a husband, father of three, and business owner, I understand how easily it is to be consumed by responsibility.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: There are days when you spent 10 hours answering questions, making financial decisions, and dealing with other people's problems.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: You've given your best energy to everybody else.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_00: Then you get home.
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_00: One child wants to tell you about school, another wants you to play.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_00: Your wife wants you to talk to her about her day.
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_00: And all you can think about is sitting down in a quiet room where nobody needs anything from you.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_00: Your family does not experience the long day that you just had.
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_00: They experience the version of you that walks through that door.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: And that realization can be uncomfortable.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_00: There's something else men need to hear.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: You don't have to pretend that you're Superman.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_00: You're allowed to be tired, you're allowed to be overwhelmed, and you're allowed to tell your spouse that you've had a difficult day.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_00: But being exhausted cannot become a permanent excuse for being emotionally unavailable.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_00: I found that one of the most important skills we can develop is learning how to transition from work mode into family mode.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe that means taking 15 minutes to decompress before engaging with everybody.
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe it's a short walk, a workout, or a quiet drive home without answering another phone call.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_00: Whatever works for you, communicate it.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: Tell your wife what you need and ask what she needs.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_00: That conversation is far more productive than silently carrying resentment.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_00: Stop measuring your value exclusively by what you provide financially.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, paying the bills matters.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_00: Providing security matters, but your children aren't going to remember how many emails you answered or how much revenue your business generated.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: They're going to remember whether you listened, whether you showed up, whether you made them feel important.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_00: So give yourself a realistic goal.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: When you get home, put your phone away for 30 minutes.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_00: Ask your wife a question and genuinely listen to her answer.
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_00: Spend individual time with each child, even if it's only a few minutes.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're consistently running on empty, take an honest look at your workload.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_00: You may need to delegate more, establish boundaries, or make some difficult changes.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: Being a great provider is admirable, but providing isn't just about money.
• 2:43
  SPEAKER_00: It's also about affection, patience, encouragement, and being someone your family can depend on emotionally.
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_00: The people that you work so hard for deserve more than whatever energy you have left over.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Gib Irons.
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks for listening to Go Big with Gibb.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: And remember, your greatest responsibility may be waiting for you at home.
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for listening to this episode of Go Big With Gibb.
• 3:10
  SPEAKER_00: If you haven't already, go follow us on social media at Gib Irons.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_00: We'll see you next time.