5 Things I Learned From My Dad

 

Fatherhood is the most rewarding but toughest job out there. In fact its so tough, you don't understand how hard of a job it is until you become one. Which leads me to the latest blog entry, 5 things I've learned from my dad.

 Now full disclosure my dad and I did not have the best relationship, likely because although we have two different personalities. We are more alike than we both will admit to and that led to silly disagreements. But since I've gotten older, became a father and see things differently. Our relationship has greatly improved, and some of the things he often would drill in my brother's and I heads are so clear now.

So with that, here are 5 things I learned from my dad that damnit are so true. 

5. Always Carry I.D.

Along with the "talk" about how to conduct yourself if your pulled over by the police. My dad always told us, make sure you have your I.D. on you. One reason being, if you don't have I.D. you always fit the description if something goes down. Could have been a scare tactic but makes sense.

The older I've gotten I've met grown men who actually don't carry I.D. nor have I.D. period. A true head scratcher for me, but now it makes sense why my dad pushed that. Besides potential legal issues, you come across as a bum being a grown man with no I.D.

4 . Always Give Firm Handshakes 

Another thing he taught us is always give firm handshakes. Or in his word's shake hands like you have some balls. And he's right when you meet people for the first time and give a firm handshake, their respect level towards you inches up a bit more before a conversation. I've been told several times I have a strong handshake, even from professional athletes I've met that are typically big guys my handshake is firm.

3. Honesty is the best way

My Dad always prefaced this with people may not like it. He however always stressed honesty is the way to go. From dealing with young ladies, to work, to life in general. Just being honest about everything, take any heat that comes from it and move on.

He's right, you start lying you get yourself in more trouble. Trying to remember what lie you told, maintaining that lie etc. It becomes more work than just being truthful.

2. Someone's not gon like you just cause 

I'm one of those people in my mind, if you don't get along with me you have the problem. In my experience in the working world, I've worked with people that clearly didnt like me. And I couldn't tell you why, we rarely exchanged words or had much interaction that they would know my personality enough. To formulate an opinion that they did not like me.

However, I just chalked it up again to thats a them issue. And my father always told us, no matter who you are, what you do, how nice you are somebody is not going to like you. That constant reminder is how I learned to shrug them off and go about my day.

1. Sometimes you have to be the bad guy

Here's probably the biggest lesson my dad shared for years, that I totally understand now. Sometimes you have to be the bad guy and accept it. Not because you want to, but because thats what the situation calls for. As a husband and father, and a manager in my professional career. I 1,000% get it now.

Sometimes you have to make unpopular decisions, that go against what people want. Whether its flat out saying no, or we can't do that right now. You have to make the tough decision that may keep things from falling apart, or saying no on short term pleasures that will cause harm down the road. 

It's your responsibility to keep everything in order. To keep your stress levels down, you have to tell people no sometimes and let them get them over.

I dont always like being the bad guy, but sometimes I have to embrace it.

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