By Tiant "Professor Mitch" Mitchell
The best-selling author, Seth Godin, posed a very good question in his book "Tribes". He says, " 'Good enough' stopped being blog enough a long time ago. So why not be great? " (pg.) hmm. Why not be great? I was intrigued by the audacity of such a simple question. In fact, the question conjured up various thoughts, feelings, and emotions — typically of the excuse variety; kindly lending blame and responsibility for our greatness elsewhere. But, all that aside, the real question remains. Why not be great?
As a dad, this question permeates not only my own life, greatness or the lack thereof, but those of my children as well. When did or does "Good Enough" stop being good enough when it comes to our children? Am I content with a "good enough" education? Good enough nutrition or health care? What about a "good enough" childhood or "good enough" father, or a "good enough" life?
What I find most striking is the lack of inquiry into the subtle but implied question: ... enough for what? When I add this radical ingredient to the stew of life, as a parent, things become even more interesting. If I looked in the mirror could I honestly answer the question: 'Am I content with a 'good enough’ life for my child? Good enough for what exactly? Hmmm. 'Good enough' for life, for a living, or to get by paycheck to paycheck? What about a life good enough for anyone if the statistics of children with a Missing And/or Distracted Dad (MAD DAD): 71% of high school dropouts come from homes with a MAD DAD; 85% of adolescents in chemical abuse centers come from homes with a MAD DAD, or even worse 80% of young people in prison grew in a home with a MAD DAD!
How far away from being one of these or other MAD DAD statistics am I content with my children's lives becoming? These are tough questions. Do I want them to be good enough NOT to be a statistic, or do I want them to be great and have great lives? On second thought, when it's phrased like that, is the question so tough? The answer became clear to me. "Duh!" I say to the man in the mirror, looking me in the eyes every morning in my cell. He glares back like a Clint Eastwood movie and asks: "So why Not be Great?"
THE GREAT EXPECTATION...OF GREATNESS!
I am not a tiger dad. Although, I kind of like the way it sounds. Tiger Dads! It sure beats MAD DADs! However, I have great expectations of greatness for my children's lives. Although many variables that lead to a life of greatness are, unfortunately, out of my control. But that Eastwood glare isn't having it. So what, now what? Why not be great?. He is very persistent. So I fight every morning to talk the man in the mirror out of the myriad of excuses (or close approximations) for why good enough is good enough and why greatness is so elusive, uncertain, and uncommon. Every morning, that guy is in my ear.
Yet and still, as Richard Williams and the James Clear quote on my cell wall reminds me each and every day: 'Professionals stick to the schedule [No matter what]; armatures let life get in the way" (Book: Atomic Habits). I've come to realize that parenting is a profession and begrudgingly, I am called to be - and aspire to be — a professional dad. In other words, shut up Professor Mitch, and get to work! Greatness is not a given in ANY circumstances. But there are some things you can do as a parent to give your children the best shot possible to manifest the greatest versions of themselves and perfect their fullest potential! (Clint speaking again). I nod my head obediently as I call to make sure my 10-year-old daughter's book signing event we put together goes off in line with my great expectations.
What are they Clint-Mitch? I asked picking up the receiver. Here is the list provided.
Consistently provide:
1. Observable & Identifiable examples.
2. Expectations of greatness communicated through EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE.
3. A supportive and encouraging environment to flourish!
Think about these and we'll explore each one in the next post. Be encouraged! Be Remarkable. #BeGreat!
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