Balance, Parenting, Productivity

Those printing brothers from York, England.

Picture of Sally Ann Kelso
Sally Ann Kelso

May 11, 2024

Once upon a time there were 5 Gibson brothers from York, England: Robert, Stephen, George, Samuel, and John.  According to Great American Press, they settled in the United States in 1850.  Printing had been the family business, so they “brought with them a French handpress to jump start their new lives and business opportunities in America.” 

They launched two printing companies and after 30 hard-won years merged those two companies into one, forming C.R. Gibson & Company under the leadership of John Gibson’s nephew, Charles Gibson.  “A young innovator and apprentice to the family business, Charles had previously developed wedding and baby books from the elaborate wedding and [baby] baptismal certificates of the day.

These fresh formats were transferred to the new company, increasing C.R. Gibson’s presence in the industry and firmly established it as an industry leader.

Throughout the early 20th century, C.R. Gibson & Company grew into an extended family of sorts. There were close family ties among the workforce, and all enjoyed the prosperity of the 1920’s—working hard, while also enjoying company outings and celebrations. However, it was Charles Gibson’s frugality and strong leadership that harbored his employees throughout the Great Depression.

By 1940, with rough waters behind them, the company had outgrown its New York dwelling so C.R. Gibson, comprised of thirty-some employees, relocated to larger facilities and a more measured pace of life in Norwalk, Connecticut.”

And they all lived happily ever after. 

C.R. Gibson & Company has been in business now for 155 years – a legacy of those printing Gibson brothers from York, England. 

Ok.  Why do I care about the Gibson brothers?  Two reasons.  

First, we can learn a lot from successful businesses.

Actually, Kayla Bowling, writing for Forbes, says there is a lot to be gained by running your life like a business and, in the process, streamlining it all.   A business orchestrates people and tasks.  Your life is not that different. 

She offers three best practices that I am applying to us:

1. Divide your tasks by job title.

Give yourself – and everyone who’s living in your home – an official job title. Why? Each job title comes with certain tasks.  Who in your house is the CEO?  Who in the house is the Chief Financial Officer?  The Buildings and Operation Director? The Chief of Staff? Customer Service?  General Manager?  Chief Playroom Picker-Upper? You get the idea. 

Once you have the title(s) you’re comfortable with, it’s time to divide the tasks.  List all of them out and match them with the titles you’ve come up with.  If you have some tasks left over….

2. Consider outsourcing.

When you get all those tasks listed out, it can seem overwhelming. “Sometimes,” Ms. Bowling says, “it makes sense for a business to outsource with a new software or with contractors, especially if you don’t have the internal resources to handle a workload. The same is true for your life.

If it’s appropriate and feasible for your budget, hire experts to do the heavy lifting when you need help. That may mean hiring someone to clean, or mow the lawn, or cook or care for your children [or your parent, or your spouse!] If you have very young children, keep in mind that a nanny could take over the ‘job duties’ that fall under that child’s title.’

This doesn’t have to be forever, either. The great thing about outsourcing is that you can do it during a busy season of life and then call it off. It’s a great way to help you stay sane if you’re struggling to balance” it all.

3. Be accountable for your role.

This structure and these titles won’t amount to much if you don’t follow through on them.  None of us stick with new habits unless we’re held accountable to someone or something.  Accountability might look different depending on who’s in your house and what they understand – but, even if it’s just you, you can get creative. How does your ‘business’ want to hold people accountable? A chore chart? A workflow spreadsheet? An app? Play money? Promotions?  

The goal is to lighten things up a bit AND have things flowing more smoothly – not to add one more thing to your plate. 

Divide your tasks by job title.

Consider outsourcing. 

Be accountable for your role.

The second reason I care about the Gibson brothers is this: without C. R. Gibson and Co., I wouldn’t know that my birth was announced in the newspaper or that I started walking at 14 ½ months or that at 3 years old I liked to color with crayons with the paper peeled off.  

When I was born my sweet mom received one of C. R. Gibson’s “Baby’s Milestones” baby books and, even with 3 other little girls at the time, proceeded – in beautiful penmanship – to give me a glimpse into my first few years.  I’m super grateful to the Gibsons.  And today, I’m even more grateful to my busy, industrious, artistic, resourceful, supportive, loyal, tired (!) mom.  She was the CEO (and many other titles) in our household and made for a great boss. 

I can’t wait to hear about how you’re making your life more like a well-run business.  And if you need help with figuring it out, I really would love to be the one to give you some assistance.  Let’s call it outsourcing. 😉 

Oh, and Happy Mother’s Day!

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PS If you liked this post – or any others, I’d love you to pass it on to a friend.  They can subscribe here if they’re interested!

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