Persistence, Connection, Curiosity? Unexpected Lessons Learned From my Two-Year-Old

Are you smarter than a two-year-old? It’s a real question that’s been on my mind lately as a new parent.

I can’t help but remember the popular game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader that ran for six seasons between 2007 – 2019, where adults got schooled by actual 5th graders. It was wild!

But you know what’s even crazier? Watching my two-year-old learn about the world around him. Now, my kid may not be able to solve fractions or locate countries on a map yet, but I’ve been amazed at how he learns about the world. And let me tell you, there are some valuable lessons we can learn from these little humans that everyone in the legal industry could benefit from.

My toddler’s constantly curious about new situations and is compelled to try new things without any fear of failure. Whether that’s trying to correctly get both legs into his diaper in a dark room or trying new foods that he’s never seen before.

For me, my curiosity led to identifying the transportation issues attorneys face in delivering the best outcome for their clients by asking the simple question, “What other problems can I help you solve?” It’s okay to be vulnerable to things we don’t know - when was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone?

How about connecting with others? Two-year-olds are naturally social creatures and inclined to make new friends and surround themselves with the energy of others. As adults, we tend to become more isolated and disconnected from others or rely solely on digital means of communication that prevent more meaningful connections.

Thanks to him, I’ve learned to make it a priority to build face-to-face human relationships with law firm staff as a first step which, in turn, has led to more fruitful business opportunities.

Do you know anyone more persistent than a two-year-old? As any parent knows, that answer is a resounding “no!” On the surface, it seems like an age-related quality that serves as the driving force behind many a toddler meltdown (who hasn’t been there), but when you dig in deeper, you can admire their level or persistence toward trying to achieve their goal.

In my world, it’s easy to get discouraged by those sales barriers that prevent us from delivering our message to potential customers. But a commitment to healthy persistence is key to educating defense counsel on the importance of preventing gaps in a client’s treatment.

As adults, we often give up too easily when faced with obstacles or setbacks and aren’t as committed to achieving our endgame as a two-year-old is with getting that extra sugary snack. But by learning to be persistent and resilient, we’re better positioned to overcome challenges and achieve our goals.

So, are you smarter than a two-year-old? I’m trying to be, and I think we can all learn a thing or two from these little humans.