Helping the whole family unplug

A team of people with different skills has a lot of work to do in a short period of time. This may apply to your business. But it also may apply to your family.

For Jason Peplinski, MBA, FSS, it means assigning appropriate tasks to each of his four kids (with ages ranging from almost 3 to almost 12) before the family can pile into the RV for a vacation. With varying levels of oversight from mom and dad, the kids pack their own clothes, toys and games. If they want to watch a movie, it’s their responsibility to charge a tablet beforehand.

“I bring the same streamlined process I’m always looking for in my business to my home life so we feel like we’re having a more enjoyable experience, just like we want to bring to our clients with our systemized processes,” said the five-year MDRT member from Lincoln, Nebraska.

Once they arrive at their destination — like a recent trip to Kansas City — the goal is for everyone to disconnect from home and work life. It is inspired by Peplinski’s memories going boating, fishing and camping as a kid.

“We get our batteries recharged from that, and I think it’s important for my kids to unplug from devices and play outside like I did as a kid,” he said. “I want to pass that on to them and for them to use their minds to imagine and dream.”

Group effort

They’re not alone. Peplinski has five siblings, all but one of whom has an RV. His parents and both of his wife’s siblings have RVs as well. This provides a great opportunity to get away as an extended family and for cousins to spend time together around a campfire.

When not on vacation, Peplinski maintains the same emphasis on family time. He commits to being home and at the dinner table every day at 6 p.m., and as a licensed private pilot, delights in being able to fly up to 300 miles each way to see clients without having to stay overnight.

“Some people think it has to be so complicated to maintain things you’re doing at home while maintaining things at the office,” he said. “It just comes down to making the commitment and sticking to those principles.”

For more Whole Person ideas

•        “Well mind and body” (pdf)
•        “Don’t allow negativity” (video)
•        “Whole Person balance quiz” (pdf)

Written by Matt Pais, MDRT Content Specialist