Your Past Doesn't Define Your Family's Future

How was your relationship with your dad growing up? What did you learn from him? If your dad wasn’t a good role model you may struggle with a variety of challenges in your family relationships as a result. Guilt. Shame. Self doubt. Control. Fear or anxiety.

I know I have. I just didn’t always realize where it came from or have any answers on what to do about them.

But I have learned that my past does not define my future. And with the help of the people that matter most, I have committed to grow in this area.

If you're reading this I know that you can do the same. Taking a look at connecting principle #5 from John Maxwell's book, Everyone Communicates Few Connect tells us why:

Connecting is more skill than natural talent or ability

Why is this so important? Because that means no matter what your past experience or struggles have been – you can improve in this area. By applying the principles I’ve been sharing and working at connecting more you will get better. Here are the previous article links:

• How To Get on the Same Page With Your Partner
• Four Ways To Invest in Your Family
• Why It's So Damn Hard to Connect Sometimes
• Five Simple Ways to Connect Beyond Words

Let’s add to the things you can start doing to connect more.

1.      Believe that you can improve your connecting skill. The first step always starts with you.

2.      Be real and vulnerable with your family. Be aware of and talk about your strengths but also admit your weaknesses. Take the next step and ask for their help in the areas of weakness.

3.      Find ways to learn how to communicate better with your family. What are their strengths, weaknesses and preferences on communicating?

4.      Find ways to bring humour into your communication and have fun. One of the best shifts happened in my relationships when I embraced being silly and played along with my kids antics.

5.      Shift your focus on to your family and find small, but specific ways to make them feel valuable to you. Remember their favorite things. Ask about their feelings. Write them thank you notes. Go out of your way to do special things for them.

All it takes are a few simple, but intentional steps to change the future of your most important relationships. 

Remember dads, you were made for this.

Do you wonder about the health of your family relationships? Take the “How Connected Are You?” assessment. In less then 2 minutes you can get immediate feedback on your most important relationships

About Drew Soleyn & Connected Dads

I’m the Founder of Connected Dads, Director of Dad Central Ontario, and a Career Coach at the Queen's Smith School of Business. As an ICF certified coach and John Maxwell Team Coach, Trainer & Speaker, I help struggling dads show up at their best for the people who matter most.

I created Connected Dads because I believe the actions dads take in their family will shape the future. Because involved and healthy dads create healthier and happier kids, the major challenges society faces can be eliminated with involved, responsible and devoted dads.

The problem is many dads are burned out and not available (or choose not) to invest in their kids. They also have nowhere to turn for support. The results are a continued cycle of 'fatherless' kids in our society.

But I also know what it feels like to be stretched thin all the time. That’s why Connected Dads exists: to bring dads together and build leadership capacity, productivity, and resilience in the face of unrelenting pressures. Ultimately, our system helps men win at home and in the rest of their lives, while tackling the larger societal challenge of fatherlessness.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Book a coaching call, sign up for an accelerator group or join our free private Facebook group

Step 2: Connect with other dads on the journey, build resilience and transform your leadership capacity

Step 3: Show up at your best for the people who matter most

Our coaching, small group program and community strengthens and supports dads on the journey. Based on the proven methodology of John C. Maxwell (#1 New York Times bestselling author, named most influential leadership expert in the world by Business Insider and Inc. Magazine) our process immediately gives dads the tools and systems to thrive. Inside you’ll find a community that encourages, supports, and challenges you to become the dad you wished you had.

Every day, I see dads trade pain for purpose. Join us today so you can stop struggling and start connecting.

• Book a free 30 minute coaching call by visiting the Connected Dads website.
• Join the Connected Dads community on Facebook.
• Follow Connected Dads on Instagram.