3 Things to Consider Before an Intentional BLC (Big Life Change)

Woah.
Woah.
Woah.
Michael…What’s a BLC?

I define a Big Life Change as something you wouldn’t choose to do Flippantly or More than once in a 1-2 year time frame.

Something that has a foundational effect on your wife and children. (church change, moving, new job, starting a business, …those things.)

Sometimes it has a large financial aspect (Buying/selling a home or starting a business, getting a dog.)

Adding a member to your house - having a baby, adoption, or “renter”
(my wife and I have had family members live with us at various points in our marriage.)

We don’t regret those loved ones living with us. We would, however, do things differently if we could go back in time.

Okay. Okay.

So now that we have a category for what a BLC is.

Let’s talk about what to consider before choosing to do (another) one!

1. How many BLCs have happened in the last calendar year?

The last calendar year

What has your last calendar year looked like?

Did you buy/sell a house, change careers, move churches, or lose a close family member?

Has it been a grueling year of difficulty?

Has it been a wonderful season of growth and progress?

Are you and your spouse functionally roommates? and in survival mode?

A long year of anxiety or hardship might not be a “BLC” but it takes its toll in a similar way.

Pregnant or New baby?

How many is too many?

I try to lead my house with no more than 3 BLCs in a calendar year.

This is 2 planned ones and one unforeseen one.

And I try to keep it to 2 or less if I can.

My daughter turned 1 in January. {awww congratulations}

This means we would be cleared for 2 BLCs in the next 12 months if…

We weren’t doing a kitchen renovation.

We did have a period when we moved, changed careers, and changed churches in about a 6 month period.

And then found out we were pregnant with Kamm baby #2. (What a blessing she has been.)

We thought long and hard about the church and career change.
So it wasn’t as drastic as it could have been.

But you can bet your bollocks that I waited a while before making any large commitments.

The BLC is an event. It should be weighed right along with the season and stress that your family is under.

I don’t have a gauge for “Medium Life Changes” or “Consistent Commitments."

Maybe in a later issue, I can cover that.

Or as my 3-year-old says, “maybe yater”

2. Is your family in a spot to handle the variables (not the ideal)…what happens if it goes bad?

This one might be spicey…

When things don’t go as planned.

Who takes the brunt of the stress?
What effect does “the plan went wrong” have?
Is the worst-case scenario palatable?

Where does the stress concentrate when this BLC goes off course?

Think long and hard about the stress level of your situation before doing a BLC.

3. Does this add value to your family?
Is the hard work now worth it in the end?

The Prudence and Piety Points for this issue are below.

- Does the BLC add value to your family?
- Or is it like Uncle Ricco chasing High School Dreams?
- Is your spouse unified in the pursuit with you?
- Are you doing it for your family?
- Or are you doing it because you want to?

Prudence

Is this wise? (Wisdom doesn’t mean there is no risk.)

Does the hard work and taxation put your family in a better spot at the end of it?

There might not be a direct positive effect on your family. But maybe it turns you into a better leader and servant of the home. Which might be worth it.

Maybe you're starting a doctorate program (you know who you are 🤙🏼)… What benefit does that bring your family? Maybe none directly…

But.

Does it cause you to be more disciplined and a better leader in your home?
Will it open doors for your family in the future? Probably.

Starting a business?
Tons of work.

But the end result can be a game changer for your family…worth it. Possibly.

Piety Point

Does this BLC honor the Lord and enable you to serve Him, your spouse, and your family better?

Does the BLC allow you to be more hospitable, loving, and generous?

Or does this simply check a box on your 10-year goal chart?

A plan set forth in selfishness will lead to heartache.

A plan committed to the Lord...

Closing

I hope these words were challenging and encouraging.

I’m still dialing in the newsletter’s format.

So it will change and topics will vary.

If you have any ideas or topics you want me to cover please respond to this email.

Thanks!

Michael D. Kamm
The Reformed Entrepreneur

P.S.

If a BLC helps bring margin and peace to you and your house.
Then it might be a good idea to proceed with more than 3 in a calendar year.

“The pain of not changing is more painful than the pain of changing.”
This is a time to change.

Thanks!