32 Lessons I Actively Teach My Kids

Here are 32 lessons I strive to teach, and more importantly, model for my children as often as possible:

1. Repetition is not punishment. If you want to improve any skill... you must perform thousands of purposeful reps during the Unseen Hours.
2. Be respectful. Respect yourself. Respect others.
3. Learn to recognize, understand, and manage your emotions. Don’t suppress or resist them.?
4. Work hard, work smart… and do both as consistently as possible.
5. Make good decisions. Every decision you make matters. Every decision has a consequence.
6. The most valuable gift you can offer another human being is your attention in the present moment. It shows them you care. And caring matters.?
7. Educate yourself, ask tons of questions, and form your own beliefs. Be a free thinker.?
8. Don’t let the OUTSIDE world (circumstances, events, and other people) dictate your INNER world (mindset, attitude, and perspective).
9. If you do WELL, you can do GOOD. Invest in your success so you can be in a better position to serve others.
10. Never stop learning, growing, or evolving.
11. Look people in the eye and have a firm handshake.
12. Self-awareness, kindness, empathy, compassion, and vulnerability are invaluable tools for creating human connection. Use them freely.
13. Find what you love to do, find what you are naturally good at - then find where those two intersect. That Strength Zone is where you will add the most value to the world as well as find the most fulfillment.
14. Listening is one of the most important skills you can develop. Listening is the key to communication and connection.
15. If you want something, ask for it. Never be afraid of the word ‘no.’?
16. Confrontation, accountability, and discipline are pillars of love and respect. Welcome them. Share them.
17. When you mess up... acknowledge it, learn from it, make amends (if appropriate), and move on. Next play.
18. I love you unconditionally. You can ask me anything and I will answer truthfully. You can tell me anything and I won’t judge you. I will always have your back.
19. Align your dreams with your habits. If you don’t, one of them needs to change...?
20. Be the teammate you want to play with.
21. The things you say to yourself are the most important things you say. Be kind to yourself.
22. Show up as your best self every where you go!
23. Leave everything better than you found it.
24. No one owes you anything. If you want something, earn it. Don’t ‘put your hand out’ unless it’s to help someone else.
25. Learn from your past, prepare for your figure, but live in the present.
26. Try new things. Go new places. Meet new people. Don’t be static.?
27. Being fit has nothing to do with attaining a certain weight, measurement, or size... or having six-pack abs. It’s about honoring your body and living a healthy lifestyle.
28. Don’t play the Comparison Game. Run your race.?
29. Develop a morning routine that energizes and empowers you. Fill your bucket first.
30. If you’re not (emotionally) agile… you’re fragile.
31. Do your best to never blame, complain, or make excuses. Take extreme ownership and full responsibility.
32. NEVER abandon your shopping cart in the parking lot.