If You’re Not Getting Better, You’re Getting Worse
Dec 27, 2019
The conversation dives into the importance of continuous self-improvement for fathers. It warns against the dangers of complacency and how it can negatively impact family life. Listeners are encouraged to set personal goals, stay engaged in their relationships, and become role models for their children. By actively working on self-development, dads can inspire their kids to strive for their own growth. It's a powerful reminder that, like in business, if you’re not growing, you’re shrinking.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Continuous Self-Improvement
Strive for continuous self-improvement to avoid stagnation.
Focus on personal growth aspects like health, learning, and goal setting.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Lead by Example
Actively engage in self-improvement by working out, reading, and setting goals.
Set a positive example for your children by showing them the importance of continuous effort.
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The Enchiridion is a concise summary of the basic ideas of Stoic philosophy and provides techniques for transforming these principles into a way of life. It was compiled by Arrian from the teachings of Epictetus and is notable for its practical advice on moral conduct in various life situations. Unlike the Discourses, which present Epictetus' teachings in a more dynamic and situational context, the Enchiridion is a more structured and concise guide to Stoic living[1][5].
It’s a sad sight when you see a dad who has clearly stopped trying. He puts on weight. He checks out of his marriage. Maybe he starts drinking more. He resigns himself to the fact that he hates his job. He accepts whatever grades his kids bring home from school. He makes their behavior somebody else’s problem.
We see that dad and we think, “I never want to be that guy.”
Good. Ok. But what steps are you following to make sure you don’t? In the startup world, they said that if your company isn’t growing, it’s dying. In a way, it’s sort of true for people too. If you’re not actively developing yourself, what’s happening? You’re atrophying. You’re getting worse.
Epictetus liked to quote Socrates, that he delighted in attending to his own improvement day to day. Brilliant. And in a way, the perfect thing for you to be thinking about as we head into a new year. How are you improving yourself day to day? Are you working out? Are you reading? Are you setting goals for yourself? Are you clocking in at home as well as at the office?
Your kids will be better served by a father that’s getting better. More importantly, they will be inspired by your example. Show them that you’re trying—that we can never stop trying—and they’ll follow you in their own way.
The Daily Dad 