I’m not a dad yet. Kathie is due to deliver our first baby around November 27th. So I’m in the position of anxiously awaiting the arrival of our baby boy.

As we draw closer to Thanksgiving; I’ve instinctively begun the process of re-evaluating my time. Am I using it well? Am I being effective? Is there enough down-time for me to maintain my own sanity? Will I be available enough to my wife and child physically, intellectually and emotionally?

In the pursuit of evaluating my stewardship of time; I’ve come to the conclusion  that I’ve allowed deadly toxins to invade my schedule. Toxins in the form of people and activities that impare my ability to lavish love and attention on my bride and forthcoming child.

I’m terrible at trying to ween myself into better habits. Like a drug abuser; I tend to slip back into bad habits through a horrible process of guilt and self-justification. Always looking for ways to be helpful and revlevant to the people and world around me.

So it’s time to check myself into detox. Time to go cold turkey and make the decision that if a person or activity doesn’t fall into a specific category of personal or family growth; then it is time for that person and activity to get flushed out.

So does that mean that I will become a hermit and never interface with the outside world ever again? As evidenced by this posting; I will certainly still be engaging with the world. But the use of my time, talents and treasure will now be more focused. With the needs of my family trumping all other considerations.

If you’ve been through a similar detox process; leave a comment and let us know some of your strategies to win back time for yourself and your family.