Parenting is never one-dimensional. We have to be everything you can for our children, as they deserve our very best.
I am constantly learning; pushing myself to be better. Why? Because I can only share what I become. By becoming more, I can share more. If I want my son to be strong and successful, I have a responsibility to lead the way.
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Being a father (and this applies just as much to mothers), means that on any given day I have to play a certain role. I have to play the protector (against danger), the enforcer (homework), the encourager (when they are feeling down), the realist (when they are arrogant), the teacher (life lessons), the chef (food is fuel), the chauffeur (6am swim lessons are no fun), but above all I need to be the student.
I am constantly learning; pushing myself to be better.
Why? Because I can only share what I become. By becoming more, I can share more. If I want my son to be strong and successful, I have a responsibility to lead the way. Sometimes that means having to learn something new, sometimes that means finding him a good teacher.
Eight years ago, I wrote the book, iSucceed. I went on to write over 500 articles for my own site, but last year I took things to the next level, writing for seven different online publications including Inc, Huff Post, the Good Men Project and more.
Last year, when I learned that my very successful friend was hospitalized due to overwork, I created the One-Bite Time Management System which has been endorsed by management expert Brian Tracy and Joint Venture expert, Sohail Khan.
Then about 10 days ago, along with 35+ incredible individuals, including Kyle Wilson, creator of Jim Rohn International, 2x memory champion Ron White and real estate guru Robert Helms, I became an Amazon #1 Best-selling author with the book The One Thing That Changed Everything.
I tell you this not to brag, but to share my journey. It’s been eight years of hard work. The first few I had nothing visible to show from it, except seeing my bank account slowly drop.
I invested a small fortune over the last decade in books, audio programs, DVD trainings, and seminars to improve myself. Today, I have a collection of material that could turn anyone into a personal development coach, financial advisor, time management expert or professional magician (one of my hobbies).
I’ve always loved what Bill Gates said, “Most people overestimate what they can do in a year but underestimate what they can do in ten years.” For years as a teacher, I saw so many students give up way too soon. Today, I see the same thing happen in the business world. We are a world that expects immediate results. Google gives us answers in minutes that used to take weeks and our smartphones give us access to more information than the Pentagon had just 40 years ago.
With a few clicks we can find out secrets on how to have better health, how to have a stronger body, how to build our business or maybe find the love of our lives. Yet we are addicted to quick-fix diets, exercise equipment promising rock hard abs in weeks, and expensive programs that teach us how to make millions.
We want what’s easy, when a little hard work is so often the key. People are looking to hit it big in months, rather than take the time to truly master something.
Children learn by seeing. They are constantly observing their own parents and their actions. Give them a model to look up to by striving to be the best you you can be.
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That’s why I’m such a big believer in having kids learn sports. Sports show them the necessity of hard work. Even the most talented kids won’t keep winning unless they put in the time and effort. As John Maxwell likes to say, “Talent is never enough.”
Kids learn from three main environments: family, school and friends. I want my son to know that while he’s working hard to get into the Junior Olympics, his father’s working hard at building our future. With each article I write, I get one step closer.
To use a baseball metaphor, every now and then I hit a homerun, sometimes I get on base, but most of the time I strike-out. But the more I play, the more chances I have to win.
Children learn by seeing. They are constantly observing their own parents and their actions. Give them a model to look up to by striving to be the best you you can be.
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Photo by Thomas Altfather Good