Do you have a life list? Sometimes it is called a bucket list after the movie with the same name. The definition is a compilation of priorities for you and your family for one year, three years, ten years, or more. As we prepare this December for New Year's resolutions, let us plan to increase the probability of success. Most resolutions fail by the end of January. However, according to research in the book Creating Your Best Life, accomplishments in your life strongly relate to how happy you are in life. Those without a priority list are not only less happy; they accomplish less than people who have written goals. Even with the high failure rate, the fact that the plans are written down increases the likelihood of moving the flag forward.

When my husband first bought his engineering company, our three boys had no interest in being part of the organization. Only one was studying engineering, but he never aspired to go into business with dad. The other two also had different thoughts on their career trajectory. Although annually we set our goals for the next one to ten years, time and time again in everyone’s carefully laid out life plan, nobody described any role for being part of the family business. My husband continually pointed out the oversight, but I wondered how could we encourage family members to get involved with the family business?

Sharing history of the family or the family business doesn’t have to be dull, divisive or disregarded. It starts with a little preparation to elicit ancestral tales and delightful personal stories. A bit of creative flair can start a conversation leading to a remembrance of life lessons and values to be passed down to future generations. To keep the discussion appealing, start with the presentation. Here are some ideas: