Family Meetings Need A Little Planning, Too

Everyone knows that a meeting without an agenda isn’t very effective. Unless you know what needs to be learned, discussed, and decided on, hours go by while nothing gets done.

I didn’t expect family meetings to be similar.

I hadn’t seen my mother since South Africa, 18 months ago, but because we’d spoken nearly bi-weekly while I was on the road, about my business, the countries I’d visited, the dog at home, and my parent’s hobbies, I didn’t plan whatsoever for what we might talk about when we were together!

So, many times over our 14 days together, I knew I wanted to ask something… but what? I just didn’t know how to put it.

I Wish I Had Planned What I Was Going To Talk About With My Mom

I wish I’d thought about her current work, and remembered to ask her about her big vision, not just for this year, but 10 years from now.

I wish I’d asked her what kind of relationship she hoped we’d have when she was 90 and I was 50.

I wish I’d asked about an aspect of her life I know nothing about.

I also forgot to tell my mom about the Tanzanian woman who told me her story, helping young girls escape from being sold into unwanted marriages!

I hadn’t thought about these conversations before we met, so those questions I really wanted to ask my mom were never asked, and the stories I wanted to tell in person were never told.

As long-term travelers, we have few opportunities to see our families. Don’t leave those conversations up to chance!

Before you meet your family, take some time to think about these two questions.

1. What do you really want to ask?

2. What do you really want to share?