Why a Forum commitment is worth the time

Executive families have many privileges, as well as demands on their time. Balancing them while focusing on the Kingdom can be a serious challenge. Choosing how to spend time, whom to spend it with, and what to invest it in are questions every person faces throughout life.

As a young executive mother of five, I was trying to master the art of discerning time commitments. At each stage of my children’s development, I didn’t want to miss a thing, and likewise wanted to be as supportive as I could to my husband and his profession, and every philanthropic organization we supported. Parish involvement critically depended on volunteers, the company needed a leader to drive culture and profitable growth, as well as a dedicated employee’s serious support. In all these worthy endeavors necessitating time, nowhere in the list did it include taking care of myself, marriage, health, or God.

When the opportunity presented itself to join my first Forum 11 years ago, it was sold as the “best thing you will do for yourself and your family,” “your own space for you,” “place to learn family balance from others who have mastered it.” It sounded like the magic pill, but I couldn’t envision giving an entire day each month to any one thing. After discerning for a while, I answered the call to try.

Our Forum took a couple years to discover what we were supposed to be exactly, but even during the learning period it was worth the investment in time. Once we figured out our ‘secret sauce,’ it has lived up to every promise and more. Like anything, you get out what you put in. As our group learned how to be vulnerable and truly real with each other, we skyrocketed in growth in every area …. personal, spiritual, family, business, community. Each one of us gulped at committing a half a day each month at first, but it was when we realized this was not enough time that our investment/ results ratio really took off.

Now my company executive team and my family all agree that the 12 hours a month I give to Forum is the most productive investment of my time for all of us. (Most forums meet just a few hours monthly.) I’ve grown as a leader and learned how to help others grow in their roles. I’ve grown as a wife and mother, and I’m learning to also prioritize my personal needs. As I am maturing, and my roles as a CEO, mother, friend, and follower are evolving, I know someone in my Forum will have experiences to help me each step of the way. I’m still a work in progress, but I would never even consider walking this path without my Forum. I am truly blessed in their allowing me to be part of their lives, and they know they are a beloved part of mine.

DIANA PARENT is president and CEO of SVN Parke Group, a full-service commercial real estate firm. She serves on the Legatus board of governors, is a member of the Fort Wayne Chapter, and she and her husband, Chad, are parents of five.