In nature there’s a season for everything. Spring (planting season) and fall (harvest) are times of extreme work. But there’s a slowdown in the summer when plants are growing, and, of course, winter is when farmers do other things (repair work on house and equipment, etc.). Most industries/companies work this way, too. They have busy seasons (when they’re getting ready for major industry events or peak sales times, for instance) and not-so-busy seasons. It might be easy for you to plan your work/home life flow around these times -- not just in terms of when you plan vacations, but also in terms of daily work hours.
During the slow time, it’s OK to leave a little earlier each day if you know you’re going to be working long hours once busy season arrives. For Gordon, there is a time to be on the road and a time to be at home with his family. He and his wife look at their year as a whole. They plan their schedule according to the seasons of their life, knowing that he’ll be slammed in August, September, and October and slower in December and July. They plan for when he’ll be working and when he’ll be more engaged with the family. You can do the same. Everyone’s rhythm is a little different, but when you find the right one for you and your life, you’ll be able to achieve a lot more at work and at home.