3 Things is a regular series that highlights three things you can do to overcome a challenge, enhance your productivity, and improve other aspects of your work and life.
I’m a father. It’s the most important job that I have, and it’s one I enjoy more than any other.
Sure, there are parts of the job that can be a challenge, but the rewards are well worth it. While the main thing any father should do on Father’s Day is spend time with their kids, there are some things that dads can do that may not come to mind immediately. Believe it or not, these things can really serve to make fatherhood – and your life — even better in the years to come.
1. Reflect on fatherhood
Today is the perfect day to look back at the years you’ve been a father and really explore. I’m sure there have been moments where you were the best dad on the planet, And I’m sure there were others where you were feeling unworthy of that “World’s Greatest Dad” coffee mug in your kitchen cupboard. We’ve all been there, and there will be times when we wind up back there.
The key is to look back and celebrate your successes and acknowledge your failures. This day may provide an opportunity to begin journaling, something that allows you to express your thoughts on your daily work and life as well as rant and rave in a private forum when you feel the need.
2. Establish a new ritual
Speaking of rituals, today could be the best day possible for you to establish a new one. Pretty much anything can be ritualized, from a morning shave to crafting the perfect cup of coffee when you wake up. As a matter of fact, a morning routine maybe just the ritual you need to start. Even establishing a bedtime one might be worthwhile.
If you’re a father then there’s a good chance that you’re going to get some time to yourself today, so why not take that opportunity and turn it into something that can last much longer and allow for progress in areas that may need more movement than they’re currently getting. One of the great things about rituals is that they won’t necessarily just help you, they can help the ones you love just as much.
3. Plan for the future
Ever hear of a vision board? Ever take the time to map out your year on something more than just your Google or Outlook calendar? As you pass another year of being a father, today provides you with the ability to be in the present moment…and plan for the moments to come.
When it comes to planning for the future, I’m not talking about family vacations or home improvements per se. I’m talking about longer-term plans. The kind of plans that will have a lasting impact. I don’t just have a wall calendar for my year that I use for work. We have a NeuYear calendar for our family as well. This calendar allows me to really look at our family plans for the year and map things out so that we don’t overwhelm ourselves. Instead, we strategically position out big things that we want to achieve and take part in throughout the year, while at the same time leaving room for spontaneity to unfold along the way.
Your kids won’t always be at home with you. They will move on, just like you did before them. So why not make the moments that you have with them under the same roof matter more than anything else on the planet? Taking on these tasks on Father’s Day aren’t just worth doing…they’re going to help create the father you are worth being and that your children are worth having.
