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Segments Timeline
Building Relationships with Kids
Mike Suic emphasizes the importance of building relationships with children, comparing it to relationships with co-workers and significant others. He encourages listeners to remember that parenting is about nurturing a relationship, which requires intentionality and effort, just like any other relationship in life.
"welcome to the two-cent dad podcast where we interview dads to discuss their journeys of intentional fatherhood while doing work they care about and living a life of purpose I'm your host Mike suic I ..."
Introducing Heaton Shaw
Heaton Shaw, a prominent figure in the tech startup community and founder of multiple SaaS companies, joins the podcast. Mike highlights Heaton's passion for work and fatherhood, setting the stage for a discussion on how he balances his entrepreneurial journey with being a father.
"someone that needs a little introduction in the tech startup Community Heaton Shaw is on the show today now if you're a listener of his podcast startup that then you'll appreciate the passion intensit..."
Heaton's Journey into Fatherhood
Heaton shares his background in online businesses since 2003 and discusses how becoming a father has influenced his work life. He reflects on the arrival of his two children and how they have shaped his priorities, emphasizing the importance of being present for his kids while managing his entrepreneurial ventures.
"about um your background as it relates to having kids I know you have you have what two a couple young kids um but you've kind of had a string of successes and then had kids after that so tell me abou..."
The Impact of Fatherhood on Work
Heaton discusses how fatherhood has changed his perspective on time management and priorities. He explains that while he maintains a flexible work environment for himself and his team, the arrival of his children has heightened his commitment to being present for them, showcasing the balance between work and family life.
"impacted like tell me a story about how your world changed when you became a father yeah I mean for me it didn't actually change that much I was uh already you know pretty good at like what many would..."
Flexibility in Work Culture
Heaton elaborates on the flexibility of his work culture, where team members can work remotely and manage their own schedules. He emphasizes the importance of trust and autonomy in achieving productivity while allowing parents to spend quality time with their children.
"full-time with us but they actually are only committed to a certain number of hours a week of work uh so we have uh in in our businesses we have a lot of flexibility one thing I like to really emphasi..."
Quality Over Quantity in Parenting
Heaton shares his philosophy on parenting, stressing that quality time with children is more important than the quantity of hours spent together. He discusses how being present and engaged during the time spent with kids leads to more meaningful interactions.
"going on in my companies and uh it just emphasized it even more for me because obviously uh I was working with people who had kids before I had kids and so um it was just great to see that there's an ..."
The Myth of Balance
Heaton challenges the notion of work-life balance, arguing that it is more about prioritizing relationships than dividing time equally. He shares insights on how he and his wife communicate their needs and support each other in their respective roles as parents and entrepreneurs.
"how did you balance then um just emotionally when you you're putting all that effort into your business I didn't mean to say you don't work a lot I think you have it sounds like you have a healthy um ..."
Eliminating Distractions for Better Focus
Heaton discusses his decision to eliminate screens and distractions from his family's life to enhance communication and connection. He explains how this choice has improved the quality of time spent with his children, allowing for deeper engagement and attention.
"I'll give you an example I don't I don't and again none of this stuff I'm saying is meant for anybody else the only reason I was telling you about the 80 hours just to rehash it again is like it's not..."
Communication as the Key to Relationships
Heaton emphasizes the importance of communication in maintaining healthy relationships with family. He shares how open discussions about changes in life and work dynamics can help navigate challenges and ensure everyone is on the same page.
"attention yeah I was I was just able to pay more attention so then all of a sudden even if I'm spending an hour with my kids it's not like three hours watching a couple shows or watching a movie or so..."
Understanding Each Other's Work Ethic
Heaton reflects on his long-term relationship with his wife and how their shared work ethic contributes to their family dynamics. He discusses the importance of mutual understanding and support in balancing work and family responsibilities.
"you're doing so how have you seen those things like go out of whack one way or the other tell tell me a story about that I mean have you had times where you said you had your your kids or your wife sa..."
Creating a Supportive Family System
Heaton talks about the systems he and his wife have in place to support each other while managing their businesses and family life. He highlights the role of communication and teamwork in ensuring that both partners feel fulfilled and supported.
"likely not working and she's likely just dealing with some you know stressful situation either at home or at work and then it's more about leaving her alone or supporting each other and so you know it..."
Navigating Family Dynamics
Heaton shares insights on how he navigates family dynamics, including the importance of being present for family dinners and supporting his wife when she needs a break. He emphasizes that it's about maintaining a healthy relationship rather than strictly adhering to a schedule.
"mother-in-law uh you know has been with us for a few years now and so that's great but at the end of the day like there there's stresses that come up in both sides and just being able to respect that ..."
Work as a Passion, Not a Burden
Heaton concludes by discussing how his work is intertwined with his passion, making it easier to balance with family life. He reflects on the importance of prioritizing relationships and ensuring that work does not overshadow family time.
"good point I mean I think the if someone is playing the opposite side they could say oh he's a workaholic or something I mean but it sounds like you're keeping that in check by saying it's it's really..."