At FamilyOS, we believe that the same level of intentionality should be applied to your home life as every other part of your life. At work nothing happens without a meeting. No business can run well without great meetings, because there’s too many decisions, priorities, and perspectives to talk through to move forward well.

But at home we’ll often lead our families without having a regular time to connect as spouses, resulting in being reactive instead of proactive, and scattered instead of intentional.

A lynchpin to intentional family is establishing a regular connect time with your spouse. Here are three steps to make the most of your Weekly Connect Time^©:

1. Commit to a Day/Time

Consistency is key, but flexibility is equally important. Find a day and time that works best for you and your family in your current season of life.

• Choose the Optimal Time: Look for a time when everyone can be most consistent and engaged. Over the years, we've adapted to different schedules—from Sunday nights to Tuesday lunches, and now, Friday mornings after school drop-off works best for us.
• Be Flexible: If your chosen time doesn’t work one week, find another hour within that week to connect. If that's not possible, even a 30-minute chat on the phone or in the car can make a difference. Consistency in connecting is more important than adhering strictly to a specific time.

2. Have an Agenda

Having a plan for your connect time ensures that both parties have a voice and can contribute meaningfully.

• Plan Ahead: Create an agenda for your discussion topics. This helps to ensure that both of you have a chance to share and address what's important.
• Be Flexible: Sometimes (about 10-20% of the time), you might need to stray from the agenda. Whether it's to solve an urgent issue or simply to connect on a more personal level, flexibility in your discussions is crucial.

Click the image below to download all the FamilyOS tools for free ⬇️

3. Be Real & Authentic

Open and honest communication is the foundation of a strong weekly connect.

• Listen Actively: Genuinely listen with care and concern to what the other person is saying. While you don’t have to agree on everything, strive to have an imagination for each other's perspectives.
• Go Beyond the Surface: Checking off practical topics is important, but if you aren’t getting into deeper conversations, these connects will start to feel robotic
• Address Difficult Topics: Use this time as a safe space to bring up any difficult conversations you’ve been avoiding. It's better to discuss challenging topics than to let them fester.

By committing to a regular connect time, having a structured agenda, and fostering open and honest communication, you can significantly enhance your personal relationships. Intentionality isn’t just for the boardroom—it’s a vital practice for a fulfilling home life as well.

At Family OS we're here to support you in bringing the same focus and purpose to your home life as you do in your career. Check out our tools for intentional leadership at the home by clicking here, or come to a launch event to learn more about The Family OS Journey.

‍