When one has a loving home and work-life balance, one is more likely to have the mental and emotional energy to give one's spouse and children the loving attention they need to develop, learn, and thrive. A well-balanced family and work life can also help to create family wellness.
Family wellness means that everyone in the family has healthy mental functioning, productive activities, and fulfilling relationships with one another and people outside the family.
Maricopa Lifestyle Magazine reached out to Rick Horst, City Manager of The City of Maricopa with a few questions to find out how he balances both work and family life. City Manager's Office | Maricopa, AZ (maricopa-az.gov).
Q. As it relates to family and work, what are a few things you do to balance both work and family life?
Work balance is critical to say the least. But in the role of City Manager, there is no off time. The job catches up to you at the movies, while shopping, walking in the neighborhood, at church, on weekends and evenings. That’s that job I signed up for. This should not mean, however, that you do not take time for yourself and with your family. What works for one may not be the answer for another. Balance for me comes in the form of less worry. Less worrying about what social media says, less worrying about who people think I am. Less worrying about meeting everyone else’s expectations and more about meeting my own expectations, about knowing that I have given my best. It's recognizing that sometimes I will fall short. But we can all learn from shortcomings and not punish ourselves for them. Yes, I’m accountable. And yes, I have responsibilities, but I think about what is most important to me in my life and what I want my life to look like in the future. A good work ethic matters to me, passion for my work matters to me, along with honesty, and integrity. And what is my work… my first responsibility is to my God, then to me and my family and then my employer. Success is not serving one at the expense of the other.
Q. Being a grandfather of Fifteen grandchildren, what is the trick to staying connected with them?
In many ways my grandchildren are my legacy. I hope for them, I pray for them, I love them, and I hope that my life in some way can be an example to them. Today’s world affords opportunity that did not exist in times past. Technology provides engagement even when your grandchildren live far away. Opportunity to praise them, to laugh with them, to share special moments is available. It is my hope that they need me as much as I need them. I am a mentor, a historian, I’m to provide a sense of security and belonging to them. The job is not that tough really… the methods and time availability are not that critical either. Just love them!
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