Living well is a challenge. Brian Palmer , a successful businessman , lives in New York and works as a top - level manager in a large corporation. He in proud of his rapid rise in the corporation. However , he is even prouder of the change he has made recently in his ideas about success. " My value system." he says , "has changed a little bit as the result of a divorce. Now I think differently about what is important in life. Two years ago , with the same work load I have right now , I would stay in the office and work until midnight , come home , go to bed , and get up at six and work again until midnight. Now , my family is more important to me than work and the work will just have to wait." A new marriage and a house full of children have become the center of Brian's life. But such new values were realized only after the pain of the first divorce.
Whether or not Brian's life was satisfying , he was deeply committed to succeeding at his career and his family responsibilities. He held two full-time jobs to support his family , even though the long hours prevented him from spending time with his family. Brian describes his reasons for working so hard after he married quite simply. " It seemed like the best thing to do at that time. I didn't like not having enough money and with my wife unable to contribute to the family income , it seemed like the best thing to do." Now , he knows better. " Now , I realize that my time and love are as important as money for the family. I'm just glad I learned this before it was too late.