This morning I felt "off" I was not feeling good about myself. After a few moments of silent reflection I could identify the following chatter going on in my head/subconscience: "I'm not good enough, smart enough, doing enough, being successful enough". Then I remembered a frequent teaching from Kain Ramsay of Achology (based in Modern Applied Psychology). "Identify in virtue". No one can stop you from growing in virtue and slowly becoming more congruent in who you want to be. You have control of that work, no one else does. What are your one or two most important virtues you identify with and are committed to growing in?

Modern work rarely stops on its own. There is always another email. Another message. Another task waiting. Good fathers learn to draw a line. At some point the laptop closes. The phone goes down. And attention shifts where it belongs. Work deserves commitment. But your family deserves presence. Be disciplined enough to give both their proper place. What wins have you had this week and what is going to be your win today?

So, most of us have sat in a plane and gone through the emergency procedures multiple times and we remember we are supposed to put the masks on ourself before our kids. How does this apply to you and your normal life outside of a plane?

One discipline many working fathers need to develop is the transition home. Work demands focus. Deadlines. Decisions. Pressure. But when the workday ends, another responsibility begins. Your family should not receive the leftovers of your attention. Before you walk through the door, take a moment. Clear your head. Put the phone away. Remind yourself who needs you now. Leader at work. Father at home. Both roles deserve intention.

Just borrowing from the daily emails I get from Ryan. Let me know what you think. Here's the crucial truth: our children aren't just observing our daily routines—they're being taught what it means to be an adult from our example. As James Baldwin noted, children may not listen to our lectures, but they never fail to imitate us. Every action, every reaction becomes a lesson in how to navigate life. If we want our children to embrace growth and challenge, we must model it ourselves. Spring offers the perfect opportunity to show our children what real personal growth looks like. It's a chance to let them see us examining our habits, cleaning up our messes, questioning patterns, and actively working to become better.