Pat Gelsinger - The Juggling Act: Bringing Balance to Your Faith, Family, and Work

What people are saying about

The Juggling Act

Pat Gelsinger holds one of the most challenging and influential positions in the digital world, and he is a committed Christian giving significant time to family and ministry. If there is anyone qualified to show people how to balance a busy, multifaceted life, it is Pat.

Steve Douglass, president and chairman of the board of Campus Crusade for Christ

Pat Gelsingers book should be on everyones must-read list. Not only is it inspirational in chronicling one mans rise to the top of his field, but it also lays out a blueprint to follow in balancing God, family, and work in everyday life. People who are struggling to jump-start their careers will find the chapter on creating a personal mission statement essential. Those who struggle to find ten minutes out of each workday just to breathe need to read this book to hone their organizational skills, prioritize jobs, develop a system to monitor their progress and develop laserlike focus.

Ronny Svenhard, CEO and chairman of the board of Svenhards Swedish Bakery

I have known Pat and Linda Gelsinger for more than twenty-five years, performed their wedding, know their children, and watched with abundant joy the global impact of their family. This deeply personal book is authentic, powerful, refreshingly radical, and will forever change your life if you apply its principles. The Juggling Act demonstrates in a practical way that your life can have fulfilling balance even in the midst of demanding schedules and responsibilities. I wholeheartedly endorse it, especially for those seeking to balance faith, family, and work.

Dr. Bryce Jessup, president of William Jessup University

Gelsingers The Juggling Act avoids simple platitudes. Instead, the author offers personal insights and practical tips for professionals seeking a deeper relationship with God, a flourishing family life, and a career worthy of a calling.

David W. Miller, PhD, executive director of Yale Center for Faith & Culture, and author of God at Work

Heres a terrific guide to managing your time and setting your priorities in a wise and biblical manner. Pat Gelsinger has learned from experience how important it is to put faith and family first, and he graciously shares his journey with us. You dont need to be an executive to benefit from this book. Theres something here for everyone.

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, and author of Finding Home

Once again Pat has challenged me to do more than I ever thought possible, encouraged me to reach for meaningful goals, and reminded me to be so thankful for what I have been given. I am not sure which story moved my emotions more, the awkward dinner with Linda or your walking into the Intel microprocessor design team and sharing your ideas. Thanks for taking the risk to be a clear witness to so many, especially to me.

Kevin Compton, general partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers

Reading through this book, I can tell that Pat is very close to God. He has the wisdom and discipline to obey Gods commands, which has enabled him to become an excellent and godly husband, father, and employee. I do greatly respect Pats persistence and discipline. I am sure that those who read this book will benefit greatly from this real-life experience of a successful executive.

Charlene Chien, president of First International Computer, Inc.

Pat Gelsinger knows how hard it is to juggle work, family, and faith. Sharing from his own life and heart, Pat has written an honest, solid guide that will challenge and inspire all of us to live more balanced, meaningful lives.

Bas Vanderzalm, president of Medical Teams International

THE JUGGLING ACT
Published by David C Cook
4050 Lee Vance View
Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.

David C Cook Distribution Canada
55 Woodslee Avenue, Paris, Ontario, Canada N3L 3E5

David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications
Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England

The graphic circle C logo is a registered trademark of David C Cook.

All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes, no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form without written permission from the publisher.

The Web site addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These Web sites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved; and from the Darby Translation of the Bible. (Public Domain.)

LCCN 2008933680
ISBN 978-1-4347-6874-2
eISBN 978-1-4347-6515-4

2008 Pat Gelsinger

First edition published by Life Journey under the title Balancing Your Family, Faith & Work 2003 Pat Gelsinger, ISBN 978-0-7814-3899-5

The Team: Susan Tjaden, Amy Kiechlin, Jack Campbell, and Karen Athen
Cover Design: Nate Salciccioli, The DesignWorks Group
Cover Photo: Steve Gardner, PixelWorks Studios

Second Edition 2008

THIS BOOK IS A PRODUCT OF MY LIFE AND
THAT OF MY WIFE AND FAMILY.

To our kids, Elizabeth, Josiah, Nathan, and Micah: Thank you for being great kids, challenging me when I failed, and encouraging me to be the best dad you deserve.

To my mentors like Andy Grove, Steve Menefee, and Bryce Jessup: Your commitment to helping and making me be better along the way has made me what I am.

To the many friends along the journey of life: Your touch to my life and family will be measured only in eternity.

Most of all, to my darling wife, Linda: In this second version, you stepped WAY out of your comfort zone and contributed part of your life story with mine. Youve been my perfect mate, my balance, my friend, and my love. My Lady, you are the delight of my life.

Contents

Acknowledgments

This topic and book have as much to do with who I am and my life as they do with who my family members are and their lives. Thus I must acknowledge each ones life as it reflects into my own. While in many cases I am the visible face at work, at church, and in the leadership of our home, often the real substance and strength lie in the family that backs me up day and night. You might look at aspects of my life and be impressed, but the real heroes are a supportive wife and children who have been blessed by God and are a great blessing to me.

Of course the greatest acknowledgment goes to my dear wife, Linda. On one anniversary, a wave of emotion came over me, causing me to pronounce regarding our relationship: While it seems we were married just yesterday, its like weve been together forever. In many ways that defines our relationship: still fresh, new, and powerful, yet its hard to remember life before she came into my world. Ive grown in compassion and affection for her as the years have proceeded.

Linda is the backbone of the Gelsinger household. As my travels take me to and fro on far too many occasions, she more than holds the fort down. With a clear and certain view of what is right and what is wrong, she is ready both to encourage and challenge me when I get out of balance in any aspect of my life. While this may sound trite, it is more than true that this message and this book would never have been possible without her. Our kids are turning out well because of her commitment and leadership of our household. One friend of ours said to Linda, I should just have you raise my kids too. It was said in jest, but it was a great compliment as she recognized through our kids the imprint of a dedicated mother. To Linda, my Lady and Love, thank you.