Last month, my phone lit up at 2 AM with a message from a member of my family: “Remember when we used to have Sunday pancake breakfasts?” That simple text hit me hard. In our races to climb corporate ladders and chase professional dreams, we often let the most important connections slip through our fingers. But here’s the thing – staying in touch with family doesn’t require grand gestures or huge time commitments. In rebuilding my own family connections while juggling a hectic multi-faceted career, I’ve discovered some practical strategies that actually work.

Schedule it Like a Business Meeting

Think about it – we never miss important client meetings, so why not apply the same principle to family time? Block out specific times in your calendar for family connections, and treat them with the same respect as work commitments. Such as sheduling a recurring 30-minute video call with a family member every Wednesday during your lunch break. It’s short enough to fit into a busy day but long enough to maintain a meaningful connection. The key is consistency – they know they can count on that time, and I’ve found myself looking forward to these midweek check-ins.

Leverage Technology Smartly

Remember when keeping in touch meant hour-long phone calls? Those days are gone. A family group chat where you can share quick updates, funny memes, and daily victories. Sharing a 15-second video of your nephew’s first steps – Priceless. You can use Marco Polo for video messages when time zones make live calls tricky. The beauty of these tools is that they let us maintain connection without requiring everyone to be available simultaneously.

Create Micro-Traditions

Big family reunions are great, but micro-traditions can be just as meaningful and more sustainable. As an example,Sunday morning, start your day by sending a quick voice note to each family member sharing one thing your grateful for about them. It takes less than five minutes but will become something they look forward to. These small, consistent touches often mean more than elaborate but infrequent gestures.

The truth is, maintaining family connections while building a career isn’t about finding more time – it’s about using the time we have more intentionally. Start with one of these strategies this week. Set up that recurring calendar invite, create that family group chat, or start your own micro-tradition.

Want more practical tips on balancing work and family life? Consider subscribing to this blog, and following kevincull.com where you can see what else I am up to and get some visual stimulus to balance the written word here. I tend to write about things that are on my mind or are bothering me, in the hope someone finds it useful that is in the same or similar position to me.

Remember, your career is important, but at the end of the day, it’s the connections we maintain that truly enrich our lives. What small step will you take today to strengthen your family bonds?