My eldest daughter Madison was thrilled to be interviewed for this article because, as she put it bluntly, she has very unusual upbringing. ”
You see, she was raised by a coach (me) – a father who has spent many professional hours working with CEOs and entrepreneurs to learn how to be better leaders and make their businesses work better. effectively. Naturally, some of those lessons and discussions made their way to the dinner table from time to time.
Fast forward to today. Madison is in college, majoring in drama. Some might say it's a far cry from the business world, but could the business lessons we adapted for home throughout his childhood apply to his current career choice?
Here are some- some of the advice that still seems valid for Madison today, and could also apply to your life and business.
Related: 5 tips for running a successful business
1. Prepare for every moment to be a learning moment.
"Growing up, Dad taught my sister and me that in order to be adaptable and successful, we had to be prepared for times of learning, which would not always be comfortable. Success never comes without taking risks, and there will always be surprises along the way. Dad taught me to use every experience in my life as a foundational moment – to not be stopped by adversity, to seek and learn lessons from any situation, and to build from there. College is the perfect place to practice this. Whether inside or outside the classroom, I am always looking for learning moments and welcome new experiences. »
Madison is right (of course). Taking a risk will have one of two results:the situation will work out positively or not. Either way, you will learn something. This is true for everyone, from students to leaders; learning should never end.
2. Stick to your goals.
“Ever since I was a teenager, Dad encouraged me to set goals, whether it was something as simple as picking up a hobby, trying a new sport, or learn a new skill. Setting measurable goals didn't have to be rigorous, they just had to be things that were important to us and could be achieved.
“To this day, I always keep a list of goals. Although I'm not as organized as I'd like – classes and social plans often put me a bit off track – I always make it a priority to map out the steps needed to reach my goals and see how I progress. »
The goals you set for yourself in life should not be too high. They must be achievable, actionable and forward-looking. Everyone gets sidetracked, but if you learn the value of good goal setting early, the benefits will follow you throughout your life and career.
3. Preparation is the key to reducing stress.
“When I showed up at college for my freshman year, I saw frantic students everywhere, trying to handle all of their new responsibilities. I had to stand out, because I didn't really sweat the small stuff. I felt mentally prepared, and that made a huge difference.
“I'm almost into my freshman year and I still feel prepared, because I had all the skills to set goals, manage my money and my time before leaving home. And, yes, I will admit to Dad (and the world) that part of it is down to the skills I picked up growing up. Of course, hearing that makes a father proud. Priority management in particular is something many people in business – even CEOs – still have not mastered. The earlier you learn and practice it, the better.
4. Be supportive of people, but give practical and real advice at the same time.
“Growing up, when my dad gave advice, he always made it clear that he had our best interests at heart. And it was clear he had the skills and experience to back up what he was telling us. However, sometimes the advice he gave was don’t the advice I wanted. In fact, sometimes it was downright boring and it certainly wasn't always fun. But looking back, I know he was teaching me the exact lessons I needed right now, and that was important for me to realize. I now do the same for others. ”
No matter your age or position, it's important to surround yourself with people who will not only uplift you, but will also be there when you need help or a dose of reality, offering real advice. to make you a better leader. Just like Madison said, a true mentor isn't there to hurt you, but to give you the right advice at the right time.
5. Value your friends and family. Make time for both.
“Fortunately, I was raised by a father who had crazy hours and a crazy daily schedule. People ask me, “Why are we lucky?”
“Through his busy work life, Dad had to learn to prioritize his time for himself and his family, and it took work . Of all the lessons I learned from him, this is the one I remember every day. Dad put relationships first, and in addition to setting aside time to make sure he was available to all of us, he also made it a tradition to take my sister and I on one-on-one father-daughter trips each year (this which we always do). This lesson cannot be overemphasized, and I had to learn it myself:it's imperative that you don't get too caught up in business and forget to make your personal life a priority. Set aside time dedicated to your personal well-being and your family. It may seem heavy at first, but it will actually increase your productivity in the office, which is a win-win.
It's rewarding to watch Madison as she continues to benefit from the skills she learned in her youth. Besides being humbled by such an amazing girl, I'm grateful that my (sometimes relentless) informative lessons stayed with her through childhood, adolescence, and college. This will give her a head start when she enters the business world, and she will be advantaged wherever she goes.
Take a moment to see how you can learn a little each day. Be ready. Set goals and work to achieve them. Get help along the way, where you need it, and always put people first. Madison is one step ahead. Are you ready for the challenge?
Related: The best career advice, from people who have made it to the top
