As a good parent, we all want our children to be happier and more successful than we are. We strive to shield them from pain and encourage them to surpass our own educational achievements. Yet, the most valuable lessons in life often come from trying new things and, inevitably, from failure. Last semester, my son Jack, who was studying software development, approached me with a concern.
He confessed, “Dad, I’ve decided I hate programming and want nothing to do with it. There’s no point in me finishing school for it.” My initial reaction was disappointment, and I was tempted to push him to finish what he started—reflecting my own agenda. Instead, I chose to coach him.
Putting aside my fears, I asked him, “Jack, I want you to love coming to work each day. To find that, you might need to try different things. What do you see yourself doing instead?” Jack, grateful for the open discussion, responded with enthusiasm, “I’d like to try working at a car dealership, in the service department!”
Knowing the amazing life the auto industry has given our family, I was overjoyed. Moreover, one of our local coaching clients, Don Brown Chevy, offered Jack a position, training him from the ground up in their shop under the guidance of Kevin McGarvey! He even gets to work alongside Don Brown the 3rd as he learns the ropes of the car business! And Jack gets coaching from Justin Dumas! I cannot express how excited this makes me.
Jack remains passionate about storm chasing, and I have no doubt he will pursue this in his future. While neither of us knows if the car business is his ultimate calling—his purpose being something he loves, excels at, the world needs, and can provide him with a good living—I am certain he won’t give up until he finds it. Monica and I will be there to support him every step of the way.
Lessons learned: We must give our children the freedom to explore, to try new things, and to fail. Letting go of our agendas and supporting their journey not only strengthens our bond but also fosters a long-term, healthy relationship.
God bless all the incredible parents out there, the aspiring children seeking their purpose, and the car business! And a heartfelt thank you to Don Brown for embracing Jack as part of your family. It is a blessing and an honor to be your coach.
Growth Advisor | Podcaster | Speaker | Marketing Agency Owner | Operations Coach | Strategy Consultant | Automation Architect
1yIf you are Nashville let me know I am buying the bbq this time