"A happy family is but an earlier heaven."  George Bernard Shaw

We spend a lot of time setting visions and making plans in life.  Some of us set visions, craft missions and create plans for launching new businesses or world changing not-for-profits; others plan large events or parties down to the last detail.

So why when it comes to the most important institution in our lives, our families, do we charge forward with no plan at all, often finding ourselves overwhelmed driving children to and from sporting events, piano recitals and a thousand other errands, while trying to juggle dozens of other priorities?

Welcome to the idea of a Family Mission Statement, Family Credo and a Family Plan – all contained in the Family Plan Badge.

One of the few requirements for being a parent at Acton Academy Northwest Austin is to create and share a Family Plan every year.  Your Family Plan can take any form you choose, and the contents are completely up to you.

Time and again we heard from our families that this is the single most powerful takeaway from the Acton experience, and has made their family time less hurried, more productive and far more enjoyable.

Your Challenge, If You Choose to Accept It...

Below are the four challenges required to earn the Family Plan Badge.

1. Watch this video to introduce you to the idea of Family Plans.

2. Read and complete this Family Plan experience from the Acton School of Business which includes reading this note on Family Plans.

3. Send your Family Credo; Mission Statement and Family Plan to angela@actonacademynwaustin.org so we can share it with the community.

4. Commit to hold at least four family meetings to check in on your progress, and put them on the calendar.

Going Deeper...

For Level Two of the Family Plan Badge, complete one or more of the following:

1. Read the book Three Big Questions for the Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni.

2. Read Steven Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families.

3. Explore your family’s history.

Some family badges have an approval process – not this one!  Post your plan and you’ve earned your first family badge!