Key To Success for Dad To Be – LIVE I Love You

January 15, 2013 in Success with 20 Comments

Key To Success for Dad To Be This site focuses on how to live it forward. How to determine what you really want out of life and how to live that story into reality. In other words, how to live into a bigger story. A bigger personal story. A bigger professional story. A bigger life story. A bigger success story.

I wish you could have been with me recently when I had a conversation with a dad to be about how to live into a bigger story as a father. What a discussion!

Now, by no means am I Super Dad. However, I can honestly say I strive to be a family man. That is probably the reason this dad to be wanted to talk with me. He pretty much said, “You seem like a good dad, so what’s the key to success to being a good dad?

Question: What would you say to this dad to be? What would you say is the key to success to being a good father?

My response was straightforward: “Don’t just say I love you, LIVE I Love You!”

I could have shared a ton of strategies with this dad to be to explain what I meant. Instead, I highlighted one statement that drives everything I do with my kids and one note I keep on my iPhone that motivates me to LIVE I Love You for my kids.

One Statement That Drives Everything I Do With My Kids

The one statement that drives everything I do with my kids is this: I want to be the kind of dad my kids can look at and say with pride, “That’s my dad!”

I said to this dad to be: “That’s it, plain and simple. Do this and you’ll be a successful dad. Enough said!”

One Note That Motivates Me To LIVE I Love You For My Kids

What I’m about to write might be bragging and I’m okay with that. The reason? I’m proud that my daughters actually said this about me.

When my twin daughters were 13 years old, Kathy asked what kind of guy they’d like to marry. They said, “A guy like dad.” Kathy asked for specifics and this is what they said (word for word):

  • Funny
  • Loves Jesus
  • Loves mom
  • Loves and spends time with family
  • Aggressively seeks to provide for our family
  • Inspires, encourages, and motivates others

When the dad to be finished reading this note, he looked up and said: “Wow, I hope my kids say those kind of things about me someday.”

Can you guess what I said in response to this dad to be?

LIVE I Love You and they will!

Question: How do you LIVE I Love You with your family?

 

(SIDE NOTE: Here’s a a very practical idea of how to LIVE I Love You with our family.)

 

  • http://ericcswanson.com/ Eric C Swanson

    Kent, great message! My family is my motivation to start something. I want to not only provide for them but also (and more importantly) be there for them. When they leave for school, when they get home.

    • http://www.liveitforward.com/ Kent Julian

      Awesome, Eric. I think about the line “I want to be the kind of dad my kids can look at and say with pride, ‘That’s my dad!’” Doesn’t get more motivating than that!

  • http://JaredLatigo.com/ Jared Latigo

    Great way to put it Kent! That’s got to be so awesome that your kids recognize those things about you. My son it only 3 but I can already tell he tries to be like me. It’s humbling and uplifting at the same time. Just more reason for me to strive to be better tomorrow than I am today!

    • http://www.liveitforward.com/ Kent Julian

      Absolutely! Keep striving!!

  • Tom Morrison

    Great topic Kent! Knowing the power of words I constantly try to address my kids(we have 6) as Champion, Winner, Amazing insert name, etc. I also try to remember that no matter what I tell them that at the end of the day they are going to copy my actions not my words.

    • http://www.liveitforward.com/ Kent Julian

      Love the descriptive “names” you are giving your kids, Tom. GREAT idea!

      And you’re right, what we truly believe is evidenced by how we live, not by what we say.

      Thanks for sharing!

  • http://RaisingWomen.com/ James Dibben

    Great advice Kent!

    I would add: Never stop praying WITH your kids.

    I recently noticed that with my teens I’ve never stopped praying for them but I do neglect praying with them.

    There is a huge difference.

    • http://www.liveitforward.com/ Kent Julian

      Great insight, James. Love it!

  • Ken Thompson

    Great wisdom! I am a father of three wonderful daughters! One a Sophomore in college, a high school Senior and Sophomore. We all tend to be very busy …possibly too busy? Take the time to seize every moment and become more intentional on seizing an opportunity to make a memory with your children. Life is brief, rushes by at a blistering pace, and focus on what matters most. Truly take the time to enjoy every moment …what a great way To Live It Forward!

    • http://www.liveitforward.com/ Kent Julian

      Couldn’t have said it any better myself!

  • http://www.facebook.com/alabaster.a Alabaster A

    I want to be that kind of dad.

    • http://www.liveitforward.com/ Kent Julian

      Live I Love You and you will!

  • http://kimanziconstable.com/ kimanzi constable

    Amen Kent and great post. Life is short and we need to “live it forward” every minute we have with our families. The Lord has blessed us with them and we should show it.

    • http://www.liveitforward.com/ Kent Julian

      Well said, Kimanzi!

  • Wendy Staas

    Wonderful wisdom, Kent. The same can be applied to mommy’s. At least, that is what I aspire to be for my daughter and want so badly for her to just love Jesus and strive to be a better person each day she wakes up — like her mommy does. (not perfect, but that is what grace is for)

    • http://www.liveitforward.com/ Kent Julian

      Way to go, Wendy! Keep LIVING I Love You to your daughter.

  • http://www.mondayisgood.com/ Tom Dixon

    What an example! My guy is only 4, and I am already seeing him recognize some of those things in me, and I agree it feels great. Thanks for sharing this.

    • http://www.liveitforward.com/ Kent Julian

      My pleasure. Keep LIVING I love you!

  • http://www.howtohaveapositiveattitude.com/ Brad McCullouch

    GREAT POST! My 4 year old and I have a routine every night. Prayers, reading- the usual stuff. But she is so sweet and every single night she says “Daddy, will you lay day just one second and sing Twinkle to me a Bird (Big Bird). “

    • http://www.liveitforward.com/ Kent Julian

      Keep living it forward with your 4 year old. Way to go, Brad!