Monthly Archives: April 2024

Navigating the Storm: Top 5 Issues Dads Face and How to Weather Them

Hey there, fellow dads! As a husband and father myself, I get it. Life’s a juggling act, and sometimes it feels like we’re on a tightrope without a safety net. From career demands to family responsibilities, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But fear not, because today, we’re tackling the top 5 issues dads face and sharing some strategies to help you stay grounded while keeping the family ship afloat.

1. Time Crunch: Ah, the eternal struggle. Between work, family, and personal time, there never seems to be enough hours in the day. But here’s the thing: prioritize. Identify what truly matters most and allocate your time accordingly. Set boundaries at work, delegate when possible, and carve out quality time with your family. Remember, it’s about quality over quantity.

2. Financial Pressure: Providing for your family is no small feat, especially in today’s economy. But financial stress can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. Take control by creating a budget, tracking your expenses, and saving for the future. Create margin between income & expense. It’s incredibly freeing. Lastly, communicate openly with your spouse about financial goals and work together as a team to achieve them.

3. Parenting Challenges: Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, and every child is unique. From temper tantrums to teenage rebellion, there’s no shortage of challenges along the way. Stay calm, be consistent, and lead by example. Listen to your kids, validate their feelings, and provide guidance with love and patience. And don’t forget to cut yourself some slack—we’re all learning as we go.

4. Balancing Act: I’m fully in this one! Balancing the needs of your spouse, kids, and yourself can feel like walking a tightrope. But finding harmony is possible with clear communication and mutual respect. I’m working scheduling date nights with my wife to reconnect and prioritize your relationship. Delegate household tasks and share responsibilities to lighten the load. And don’t forget to take care of yourself—self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential. If you don’t feel good, everyone else gets the brunt of it.

5. Work-Life Integration: In today’s fast-paced world, the line between work and home life can blur, leaving little time for rest and relaxation. Set boundaries by establishing designated work hours and unplugging during family time. Prioritize self-care activities that recharge your batteries (for me its a Peloton Sweat, a Bodyweight EMOM). Whether it’s exercising, reading, or pursuing hobbies, find release. And remember, it’s okay to say NO and prioritize your well-being.

Give Yourself Grace

In conclusion, being a dad is no easy task, but it’s also one of the most rewarding roles we’ll ever have. By acknowledging and addressing the challenges we face, we can become stronger, more resilient fathers and partners. So let’s embrace the journey, support each other, and remember that we’re all in this together.

Until next time, keep rocking the dad life!








Embracing Momentum: Fueling Your Journey to Success

I’m excited to dive into a topic that’s near and dear to my heart: momentum. Whether you’re chasing dreams, crushing goals, or simply navigating life’s twists and turns, momentum is the secret sauce that keeps you moving forward. So, grab a cup of your favorite brew and let’s chat about why momentum matters and how you can harness its power for your own journey to success.

Picture this: You’re standing at the starting line of a marathon called life. You’ve got big dreams, ambitious goals, and a burning desire to make things happen. But here’s the kicker – progress can sometimes feel like pushing a boulder uphill. That’s where momentum swoops in to save the day.

Momentum isn’t just about speed; it’s about consistency, progress, and forward motion. It’s that feeling of being in the flow, where every step you take propels you closer to your destination. And here’s the best part – once you kickstart momentum, it becomes a self-sustaining force that propels you forward with less effort.

So, how do you create or harness momentum for goal achievement? Let’s break it down:

  1. Start Small, Dream Big: Break your goals down into bite-sized chunks and focus on taking consistent, actionable steps each day. Small wins build momentum and fuel your motivation to tackle bigger challenges.
  2. Build Routine and Discipline: Establishing a daily routine and sticking to it creates a sense of momentum in your life. Whether it’s waking up early to hit the gym, dedicating time to work on your passion project, or practicing mindfulness, consistency breeds progress.
  3. Stay Flexible and Adapt: Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, but don’t let roadblocks derail your momentum. Stay adaptable, embrace change, and use setbacks as opportunities to learn, grow, and pivot in new directions.
  4. Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your progress along the way. Whether it’s reaching a milestone, overcoming a challenge, or achieving a goal, take time to pat yourself on the back and savor the moment.

Remember, momentum is like a muscle – the more you flex it, the stronger it becomes. So, lace up those metaphorical sneakers, take that first step, and let momentum carry you toward the extraordinary life you deserve. Keep hustling, keep grinding, and above all, keep moving forward.

Until next time, stay awesome, my friends!

Tomorrow is a Myth

Settling into a 8-9 hr. car ride, I had much time to think while leaving the Ozarks in far Southern Missouri.

I’d spent the last three days along with three of my best friends at Big Cedar Lodge, where we played golf at Ozarks National, Payne’s Valley, and Top of the Rock. It was just awesome. Any expectations we had, were exceeded. The service. The views. The food. All excellent. We capped off the night with dinner at Osage Restaurant with a sunset view of the lake, and were welcomed to bagpipes walking off the 9th green at Top of the Rock’s charming par 3 course. Again, awesome!

Action Speaks Louder than Words

I have to give enormous props to my wife here for pushing me to make this trip happen. I’ve talked about a big trip with “the boys” for a couple of years, but always said “tomorrow” we’d get the details together.

Tomorrow is a Myth

With her strong encouragement, I worked with focused action in February to secure lodging and tee times on the resort to make it a reality. Schedules aligned for the four of us and we had a date and venue secured. Thank you Beth!!! Thank you. Thank you.

In our travels home in a euphotic state, we obviously already started planning our next adventure. What Top 100 courses should we tackle next? Where should we stay? When are we going? Who is coming?

I’ll confess I’ve spent most of my professional life, or post college graduate life, planning for the day I’d retire. I’ve also spent considerable energy thinking about expediting that retirement timeline into my 50’s and even 40s. I’m grateful I’ve done this, because having a plan and working a plan bares fruit. But as much as it will be incredibly valuable to have set a plan for “tomorrow”, In Missouri I received a slap in the face about the power of TODAY!

Life Events

We’ve all seen the individual “reborn” from an experience reminding them of their mortality. Maybe it’s a diagnosis, maybe it’s a car accident, maybe it’s a medical event. These people are said to have, “A new lease on life” and embrace their remaining days with immediacy and vigor. Trips are taken, goals are crushed, and words that remained unspoken, pour out with deep authenticity and meaning. Death waits for us all. How will we meet it?

I’m reminded of the Dylan Thomas Poem, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night…”Rage, rage against the dying of the light!”

A Lifetime of Memories

As I arrived back home to hugs from my family, I took a deep breath and texted my buddies. I thanked them for their comradery, friendship and for making the trip to create memories that would last a lifetime. A lifetime not promised tomorrow.

I’m incredibly blessed.

PS – If you’re thinking of going to play Payne’s Valley, or Ozark National, or Buffalo Ridge, or Top of the Rock…do! Do it now! You won’t be disappointed in any facet of your experience.