Hi, friends! 👋🏻 It’s Michelle, coming to your inbox on a beautiful Friday heading into Father’s Day weekend. 💙 Seeing as Sunday will be dedicated to dads and father-figures everywhere, it got me thinking -- all about parents and all the lessons we learn from them over the years.
Now, my dad isn’t really the type to give direct advice; or maybe I’m just not that good at receiving it? But he’s taught me so much in my life about skiing (keep your weight forward and your hands out front, always), sailing (head down when the boom is swinging around), showing up to work every day and giving it your all ... and how to make a delicious pan of lasagna. He leads by example, he’s gentle, funny and sometimes laughs so hard he cries. We all think we have the BEST dads, you know? I’m no different. And we could all learn a thing or two from my husband, with whom I share two kids, when it comes to equal parenting, staying calm under pressure and not letting anything get under your skin. Plus, he has the patience to golf with me every week, so he definitely has doled out some all-too-honest advice about my ugly backswing. 😉
Recommended Videos
Photos: My dad, up top and with my kids at right -- and my husband with our children at left.
What has your dad, or a prominent man in your life, taught you, that sticks with you the most?
Do you have any advice you could pass along? I’d love to hear. And actually, my team asked the same question earlier this week -- and here are some of the best responses we’ve received so far, if you’d like some inspiration.
Dads, advice, great lessons, Something Good ... all of these swirling and related ideas make me think of a podcast: The Best Advice Show, if you’ve heard of it.
I love a good pod, but let me tell you what makes this one stand out: Episodes are just a few minutes apiece, so it’s an easy way to kick off your day or get a quick listen in, without feeling like you need to invest an hour of your precious time. Life’s busy these days, and I get that. “Best Advice” and “Something Good?” Yes. It all goes hand-in-hand, and we thought you, our beloved “SG” fans, would enjoy integrating this show into your everyday lives. It’s truly a game-changer.
I wasn’t exaggerating, btw, when I mentioned how much I enjoy this podcast. (I was even featured on an early episode. Should I do a shameless plug? OK, twist my arm, here it is).
I don’t know about you, but when it comes to advice, I like snippets. Rather than rambling stories and cliche anecdotes, I just want to hear something that rings true and do-able, that I can take away and start using, preferably today. And that’s exactly what this is. Each episode offers a new “expert source,” who teaches us something valuable. Some lessons are tied to the events going on all around us. Others are timeless. Some are deep and thoughtful. Others might be about how to best reheat your leftovers. As someone who listens to the show regularly, I’ll tell you just a little bit from personal experience, and then include each episode, below, if you’re so inclined to learn more. Happy listening!
1. If you can do something in less than a minute, just do it. Right this second.
Put the remote control in the right spot. Put away that W2 you got out of your filing cabinet for a quick second. Hang up your coat. Respond to the email. (Once you start doing all this regularly, it’ll feel so good!) Listen here -- it’s 1 minute, 42 seconds.
2. Improve your Mondays.
Always, always, ALWAYS, as the final to-do item on your list Friday, set up Monday’s tasks.
It gets that to-do list off your mind for the weekend, and then when you sit down at your laptop, a little bleary-eyed and unfocused come Monday morning, you’ll have your agenda to consult with. (I like to mark a “top five” for my tasks, as well, as in, the top five things I need to knock out first and foremost). Listen here -- it’s 2 minutes, 52 seconds.
3. Choose the bigger life.
Sometimes it feels annoying to drive several hours to see friends, or it might be a commitment to sign your daughter up for dance classes. You wonder to yourself: Should I really do it?
When you feel stuck on a decision, this advice-giver says, remind yourself to “choose the bigger life.” For some, the bigger life might be a simpler version -- saying no and opting for peace and quiet. For others, the bigger life is most certainly seeing their 4-year-old thrive in ballet, despite any added inconvenience or hassle it might bring to their own schedule. It’s just a simple way to check your priorities: Choose the bigger life. There are no right or wrong answers here. It’s a great gut-check. Listen here -- it’s 2 minutes, 43 seconds.
4. How to listen.
OK, this list is largely in no particular order, but this has got to be my favorite episode to date. We could all be a little bit more like Sterling. He changed my perspective and made me think so deeply about how to truly embody the word “empathy.” You’re going to start putting yourself in people’s shoes in all new ways after you hear this one. Listen here -- it’s 5 minutes, 58 seconds.
5. Consider the opposite.
Maybe you think you screwed up at work and the world is melting down around you. But what if it’s not? What if your flub was actually a good thing in the long run?
That’s not just optimistic fluff. Whether you believe it or not, just entertaining the possibility above might change things for you, mentally. Listen to Sarah to hear more: It’s 3 minutes, 50 seconds.
You can access or download the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Email me once you get going, and tell me what’s your favorite!
I sincerely hope you check it out. Until next time -- and you can ALWAYS find us on YouTube if you’re missing those warm and fuzzy “Something Good” feelings. We have a lot in the works, so stay tuned!
-- Michelle Ganley 💛
