Becoming Resilient - The Value of Perseverance

Old Fashion Dad Podcast

This week we both discuss the hardest things we have ever done, the importance of taking on the hard things in life, persevering through challenges and not giving into the American idolatry of pursuing comfort and ease as our primary life goals. Intentionally doing hard things in life leads to grit, perseverance, character, perspective and gratitude. Christian talks starting the #75Hard challenge and getting back into shape... both physically and mentally.

NOTES:

• This Weeks Whiskey: Lismore 18 - 18 year single malt Scotch Whiskey
• This Weeks Cigars: MyCigarPack.com
• Show Notes:
• • 1. What is the hardest thing you've ever done?
  • • half-marathon
    • Tough Mudder
    • Special Forces training (SFAS & SFQC)
    • • The real challenge in those types of life experiences is not physical... it's mental.
      • Tips or not giving up (things to tell yourself):
      • • I'll quit tomorrow
        • Keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll make it
        • Just one more click (Kilometer) and then it's over
        • Principal: People can do anything for an hour or even a day... but beyond that starts requiring breaking it down - If you look at if from where you are now to where you want to be, you'll get overwhelmed and be tempted to quit. Just take it one moment at a time and with each hour or days' success, you'll be moving in the right direction and eventually get there.
        • • This doesn't just apply to physical goals, but also challenges like reading more books, going to school, starting a business, being a new parent or getting better at public speaking.
  • 2. Christian H. has recently taken up the #75hard challenge with some of my fellow RE agents in his eXp Realty team, after seeing the before and after transformation of one of the team leaders.
  • • For me it's primarily the catalyst to get back into shape after an injury I had 5 years ago... but the program isn't primarily an exercise program, it's a mental toughness program.
  • 3. As I've started this, it got me thinking about the value of INTENTIONALLY doing hard things.
  • 4. Do you regularly push yourself and challenge yourself? Why?
  • • We are capable, both physically and mentally, of doing WAY more than most of us realize... we just aren't used to letting ourselves be pushed or pushing ourselves.
  • Have you ever started some sort of challenging but it didn't last or "stick"? (like a diet or new exercise routine)
  • Doing the right thing is often the hardest option to choose
  • • Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it."
    • What are some factors that make or break the success of such efforts?
    • • No accountability
      • No structure
      • Not being willing to change habits or be inconvenienced
      • • At the end of the day, People do what they want to do. If they really want to do something, they will find a way.
  • As American's, we tend to value and pursue comfort and ease above all else... avoiding hard things whenever possible.
  • • It's the hard things in life, the resistance, the struggles that make us tough.
  • Do you think there is a difference in results or outcome for those who have a hard life that they didn't choose vs. those who intentionally add challenges and restrictions to their life to make themselves a better person or reach some goal?
  • • Hard Life = option for responding well or poorly
    • Creating challenges in life always lead a better quality of life and mindset...?
  • Benefits of doing hard things:
  • • Mental toughness and resiliency
    • Physical toughness and endurance
    • Perspective / Mindset
    • Grattude
    • Self-Discipline
    • Happier
    • More Confident (you will know what you are made of instead of just wondering)
  • How does this apply specifically to Dads?
  • • Parenting and disciplining in a way that glorifies God requires doing the hard thing -
    • • Disciplining out of love and care for your kids heart, not just behavioral compliance.
      • Carving out regular time with your kids to show them you care (not just interacting with them when they disobey)
    • Intentionally doing hard things to build grit, character and demonstrate to our kids the value in pushing yourself and doing the right thing, even when it's hard.
  • Romans 5:3-5 "...[there is] glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

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