As you may know, my wife Raylene and I have a thriving, creative little boy named Cooper — and today happens to be the day that he turns 4 years old. As I’ve now learned, birthdays are a BIG deal to a 4 year old. Like most dads I’m sure, I absolutely adore my boy and express gratitude every day for being blessed to be his dad. What’s amazing to me is that as I reflected over the past 4 years of having him in my life, I’ve learned so many powerful things from him – not just life lessons, but powerful principles that apply to success in business as well.
The 5 Lessons I’ve Learned From My 4 Year Old
LESSON #1: Live In The Moment (There Is No Tomorrow) To a young child who has not yet developed a true sense of “time” (nor patience), this moment is the only moment that matters. When Cooper wants to do something, his belief is that it should be .. RIGHT. NOW. He doesn’t like putting off fun things until tomorrow or the future. On a daily basis, he practices the concept of living in the moment, and doing what matters today. I think as we get older, we lose this sense of priority, and of doing what matters now instead of procrastinating, or allowing other people’s rules to delay what it is what we really want in our lives. I can’t count how many times he’s pushed me to play him, take him somewhere or otherwise engage with him NOW instead of later. And while it sometimes is inconvenient, I’m grateful for him constantly reminding me that life’s about the people you love, and that life is not a dress rehearsal – and why not doing the fun thing you want to do now? LESSON #2: Persistence Wins Out Over Reason As the parent of any small child can attest, persistence is one of the tools that we all learn very early in life – and as we grow older, we seem to lose that determination and focus in a lot of ways. I’m pretty sure that Cooper is the world’s most persistent kid. Yes, that becomes a pain in the ass sometimes when he won’t give up a negotiation to get what he wants .. but he ends up proving time and time again that the persistent one usually wins out, regardless of how much logic and reasoning is used against it. (which explains why he ends up in our bed more than occasionally) Life, and business, are no different – the people who end up succeeding are the ones who have persistence. I’ve long said that the most important characteristic of someone who wants to be successful is that of persistence, because it’s the person who does whatever it takes and will never give up that usually ends up winning the game or battle. Are you willing to do whatever it takes, or do you give up when the going gets tough? LESSON #3: Discover Something Every Day I think one of the main reasons children seem to be so magical is because they’re constantly open to discovery. I think that’s the greatest joy I have with Cooper – when I have the chance to watch him discover something completely new. There’s nothing like seeing the look of amazement and his eyes open wide at witnessing something for the first time. Watching him connect dots he’s never connected before is incredibly powerful for me. It’s like magic, and the incredible innocence and being open to opportunity is such a powerful gift that children are given. Sadly, as people get older, I’ve observed that this constant enthusiasm and openness to discovering new things slowly dies away. If only people were to retain that constant desire to discover, I think we’d see a much more positive and optimistic energy in our world. Are you open to discovery, or do you stay within the same worn path that you’ve traveled 1,000 times before out of habit or comfort? LESSON #4: Be Unreasonable Cooper doesn’t really care about reality, about logic, or what’s “right” or “correct” in a certain situation. When he sets his mind to something, he doesn’t think about whether it’s reasonable or not. Most of us learn to become “reasonable” as we grow up, because we don’t want to create conflict or call attention to ourselves. We don’t want to be judged by others, and so we conform — which means becoming part of the crowd. As an entrepreneur, your willingness to be unreasonable ultimately defines how innovative and creative you’re going to be, which drives growth and opportunity. Many of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs and innovators were considered unreasonable — until their disregard for being judged by others brought them a breakthrough or success, which redefined how people saw them. Steve Jobs is one of the greatest examples of this. Had Jobs not been willing to be unreasonable, Apple likely would no longer exist as a company. Are you willing to be unreasonable when it comes to something that matters to you? LESSON #5: Create Your Own Rules So You Always Win One of Cooper’s greatest loves is playing with his cars and Lego, and creating simple little games that we can play together. What’s amusing to watch is how he develops the game so he’s assured that he’s going to win. Whether it’s giving me the race car with the dud wheel, or refusing to play if I try to create “fair” rules with him, he likes to set up his own rules, and then play the game he knows he can win. Most people grow up in life playing other people’s games, working on other people’s agendas, and trying to make other people happy. They never decide what the game is they want to play, and how to win it. That’s one of the greatest gifts that entrepreneurs are given – the ability to set their own game up, play by their own rules, and radically increase the likelihood of their own success and fulfillment. Are you playing by your own rules, or trying to play by someone else’s? Today, as we enjoy the ice cream birthday cake and have fun at his birthday party with all his friends (including his 3 girlfriends), I’m so grateful to not only have such an incredible, thriving little boy to be a role model for .. but that he’s giving me back more than I could have ever expected. Happy birthday buddy, I love you!—
Now, I’d love to hear from YOU — please post a comment below and let me know what you think. What have YOU learned from people around you that surprised you? Who in your life shared some powerful wisdom or taught you a lesson that you’re grateful for? Please share your comments below! ]]>
144 Responses
Outstanding! Great lessons for life and business.
Magic Greg! Have a fantastic day with Coops and keep on keeping it real my friend!
That’s the plan, as you know! 🙂
I loved it. You are so blessed that you realize this now why your child is young. What a gift he gave you and more importantly you recognized it as such.
I agree. I Love kids! The more I see the world from a child’s eyes, the more my life is full of magic 🙂
Happy Birthday to Cooper! While I will admit I was a wee-bit-no-so-you’d-notice skeptical about your initial premise, I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome! Thanks for sharing these “pearls of wisdom” and please continue to learn these types of lessons!
Happy Birthday Cooper! Greg, I’ve learned a lot from you, Cooper and Raylene, in more ways than I can post here, as well, from my own life .. my children and my wife, have taught me lessons that I will carry forward to help others improve their own lives and business. The simplicity of this message is clear and we all must use this as a foundation moving forward! Thanks for this!
Thanks for the kind words, Joey – and keep up the great work!
Happy Birthday Cooper.
Have a wonderful day today with your family. Great lessons Cooper. Do you have a blog yet?
xoSheryl
He will once he can type! 🙂
So true! We can all learn more from children than I think they can learn from us. Give them a safe, loving, environment and watch them blossom! Thank you for sharing and enjoy every moment with Cooper. They grow up very fast. I know – I have 9 grandkids now! And Greg – thanks for sharing your life and wisdom with your followers!
Wow–four years old–that is amazing! The lessons are delightful, particularly the one about creating our own rules, so we always win. That one surely raises my Joy Factor. Thanks Greg–enjoy the celebration of oh, so much!
Happy Birthday Cooper from Poland! 🙂
Greg, you make everything so SIMPLE 🙂
I am so grateful to have young children to keep me thinking more purely and clearly.
Happy Birthday Cooper !
My granddaughter Charlotte shows complete confidence in her choice of clothing and never asks “How do I look?” Her confidence in her choices inspires me. Cooper’s story inspires me, too.
Thanks for sharing.
Happy Birthday Daddy…You’ve just been born into the world of Spirit! Thanks Cooper for the reminders!
thats great greg, it just goes to show that we are born potential and then just go off track! great insight god bless you and your family on your sons birthday in fact everyday!!
paul k.
Love this post Greg! It’s about Gratitude! My daughter (who’s 17 now…it goes by SO fast, sniff) has been the joy of my life! I have made a choice to actively love and embrace every day, every stage of growth, and every opportunity to be together (learning from each other, and sharing adventures). Now, when most people have been telling me how terrible it is to endure ‘the teen years’, I tell people what an amazing daughter I have and how we are the best of friends and do everything together.
Anyone who knows you even a little bit, knows how much you love Cooper and you love being his Dad…and I think that’s fantastic! Have a wonderful celebration today!
Before I comment anything, Happy Birthday little Cooper! I remember when my daughter turned 4 she was exactly covering all 5 what you mentioned. Initially I was not aware much as I thought it is just a kid thing. After being involved my work as coach and entrepreneurship, I realized being an entrepreneur does need to have all 5 you have mentioned and in a nutshell being a kid again could become a better entrepreneur.
In a society that we are living in tolerating and being conditioned so much not benefiting us, we as an adult became fascinating and adore a child could behave this way. A child like Cooper or like my little girl (She’s 5 plus now) age is the best time to be supported and maximize his full potential and mindset.
We could witness it easily that a child could learn fast and well during this age. They adopt things with zest. It is so amazing sometime we look the way how they did it effortlessly.
Thank you Greg, for writing down what I feel deep insigt me!
I take time to read if blog, go to your video site; but you won’t let me see it until I answer your email. When I go there, it isn’t there. When I go back to your video link, I cqnt open it bkz I have too many Windows open. Is like to c it, but I can’t…good luck convincing me/others that if an internet guru. Now I get a message thY I can’t trust your site…ask I can’t even send this wo risking my phone. Duh.
I have no idea what you’re trying to say – but it sounds like you’re blaming me because you have too many windows open and can’t see my video? huh?
What an inspirational and practical life lessons to share. Highly recommend to anyone who is ready for new changes in life.
Hi Greg
Thanks for reminding us of what its like to be a child again. If only, we could remember these pearls of wisdom on a daily basis, we’d be so much happier, more creative and living life to the fullest. Hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating this little boys life and thanks for sharing these profound thoughts with us.
Warmly,
Lisa
Lisa Copeland
Dating Coach for Women over 50
http://www.findaqualityman.com
Thanks Lisa, and you’re welcome! Hope things are taking off according to plan!
Happy birthday to Cooper and Parents. They also are to congratulate, because 4 years ago they were he happiest couple in the world, as I have been 4 times!
I’ m a Coacher on Sales, but also on Leadership. On the Sales point of view, this 5 live lessons are some of the challenges that I defy Salesman to be. For a day in a Week, at first, then for all important meetings on a bussiness week, and so on.
Creating our own rules in Sales, can be for instance, being inflexible on Payment Conditions. In the European Markets, where we’re experience a shortage of money, most Clients tend to delay payments (and Investments…). If you go along with the “crowd”, You’ll be selling a lot and not receiving anything but promises of payment…
This has lead to a situation in which most companies can’t assure their own bills because they have all their money out there. A Salesman may and should sell the product, not the payment conditions.
Why do you pay a lot of every day stuff as you buy them, and not a copy machine, or a service when provided? Postpone payments is in fact very “American” but it has is limit. So, make your own rules that profit you, your company and ultimatly, your Client as well. Make sure you’re be around when the Client needs again, and don’t join the crowd that had to close doors or change markets.
Sell the Product or Service for a fair price, and get the money for it, is the new challenge on this side of the Atlantic.
Best regards to all
Renato
[email protected]
Or, if you do offer financing options, make it profitable. I don’t think that offering financing terms is a bad idea, as long as it makes financial sense for you to do so. If it’s the choice between getting a profitable sale or not getting any at all, that’s what I would prefer to do.
So Beautiful to see LIFE through the eyes of children. He has certainly mastered FUN and JOY and cares so much that DAD has ENJOYMENT everyday. He is the TRUSTED AUTHORITY already. Looking forward to all he is going to MASTER!! Possibly FRENCH TOAST at five like me. Tee Hee Thank you Greg, for you, for wearing your stories on your sleeve, for being vulnerable, for checking your EGO at the door and letting us IN. You were born to be LOVE, be AMAZING, and you ARE!! A bday present to Cooper. Dedicated to all the worlds children. http://www.facebook.com/stopbullyingambassador Shine On!! Love Juliette
Great post Greg..So powerful when you see the world through children’s eyes. They grow up way too fast. Enjoy the birthday 🙂
Great post, Greg. What’s been really profound for me over this past month is living in Cuenca, Ecuador, becoming friends with one of the locals and wandering around town with her. She has such a different perspective on many things because the culture is so different. Gives me much food for thought, especially around “what material things do we really need in our lives to feel fulfilled”. I don’t want to go back to my days of a hollow core door over some bricks = a desk. However, there are many things I haven’t had here and haven’t missed. I’m now thinking about how to translate that into my business as well. Have everything I need and no more. Well, except for a growing selection of earrings 🙂
Ann, congrats on making the move and living your dream! Hope things are going as expected. Great to hear from you.
Happy Born Day, Cooper and daddy, of course and mommy tooo.
My kids have taught me that even on the most annoying, depressing, tiresome day there is always something that can provoke a deep, heartfelt belly laugh (usually them doing something goofy) and everything melts away while we’re all laughing until we cry. Laughter is truly the best medicine.
Good one. I learned more from my three sons, now all adults, than I ever did from my father — and he taught me a great deal — so thanks for this article. It’s puts mentoring into perspective for all fathers. Thanks again. Really enjoyed this one.
Great share, Greg! Thank you Cooper for teaching me a few things i’ve forgotten!
Happy Birthday to your beloved little boy, Cooper! I have four children and see how each one of them is unique in their own way. Celebrating our uniqueness and the diversity in the world is another rich lesson.
I’ m proud to share birthdays with Cooper. Let’s see what I can learn from a teacher who’s 52 years younger than me. Happy birthday to him!
Happy birthday Thomas!
Having a two year old son myself, I completely agree with you on these matters. Especially #s 4 and 5 about conformity and your own rules. Create your own life and live it! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Greg! Yes, kids have that “right now” and I sometimes feel I am pushing on them because of my “not right now”. We have to be careful to not to “shut down” them. We all have that power – we just forget it. They reminds to us.
Handsome! Little Cooper is just growing up into a dashing little man. Happy Birthday Cooper, Love Mark and Tricia
Thanks Tricia, hope you are doing well – miss you guys!
One of the most truthful marketing blog post I’ve read Greg! Thanks! Now your UNI-verse has another beautiful gift for you… just because this 2012 is when the dots will be starting to connect for you in a BIG WAY! http://www.occupyspirit.org
Wonderful lessons from a child, so relevant to us as adults! Especially encouraging today as a home based business struggling to find not only clients in general, but the right clients.
There are a lot of days I’m exhausted and just want to give up and ‘settle’ for a ‘job’, but I’m passionate about and good at what I do, ( web and graphic design ) and know that businesses need this service.
Research shows that ‘design aware’ businesses who use good design are more profitable, so I know there is a niche for me to find.
Here’s to fun, persistence, discovery, being unreasonable and making my own rules for success!
Happy Birthday Cooper!
Playing by our own rules! How novel in this day of the new social media industry that has sprung up, diminishing the confidence of childhood. Can we talk?
Kids are ALWAYS our best teachers. They are pure Source – not spoilt by the “wisdom of the elders” and as such, are as close to our true nature as we get. Too bad we had to be taught. Don’t teach Cooper. Let Cooper teach you.. you’ll be much wiser for doing so.
Kids are ALWAYS our best teachers. They are pure Source – not spoilt by the “wisdom of the elders” and as such, are as close to our true nature as we get. Too bad we had to be taught. Don’t teach Cooper. Let Cooper teach you.. you’ll be much wiser for doing so.
{ok so WHY is a Halloween costume showing up? LOL I haven’t had that on for months! }
It amazes me how life seems to work in reverse for many people.The older most people get, the more they seem to let the influence of others and their environment shape their thoughts, feelings and actions. Instead of creating and shaping their life to how they want it they seem to lose that youthful exuberance and just fall in line with the masses.
If you look at anybody who has had any sort of success in life, they have never forgotten the great qualities of youth that Greg has outlined above. They’re not afraid to stand up and take a stand for what they believe in and actually do something about it.
Too many people want the free ride.
Kids don’t care. They want what they want and are willing to do anything to get it – especially kick and scream anytime and anywhere and not care who is around. For some intuitive reason, they are well aware that the squeaky wheel will eventually get the grease.
Going against the grain should be a way of life. Don’t just read Greg’s words. Live them – even if you don’t have kids. It’s most definitely worth it!
Another great article Greg… and a great reminder of what we really can learn from our kids. (Especially #4 – That’s Kian’s favourite)
Best wishes to you, Cooper and Raylene on this great day,
Happy B-day Cooper!
Craig
Hey Craig – great to hear from you. Your comments mean alot, thanks and hope to connect soon!
such valid discoveries, Greg. Could not agree more, and am happy to recognize that I apply these principles (most the time). Thanks for the reminder I’m not the only one. Cheers, Scott (father of a 2 and a 7 year old)
how sweet to exchange roles and let the “pupil” be the “teacher.” children know how to navigate the world intuitively, and our job is to facilitate their growth and be a support to them. Hope the celebration is grand, and you continue to enjoy those life lessons…the time goes by very quickly…………….
Greg.
I am impressed that you are employing the events of everyday life and transforming them into helpful examples for success. Bravo to you. I especially enjoy the presistence and change-the-rules stories. They both give me great ideas for my own success.
Marcielle Brandler, Marcielle Presents! tv. Producer/Host/College Professor/Author of The Breathing House: Imagist Poems and Fun with Grammar: A Workbook for All of
I gained some important insight from your observations and will try and use them to make my life and my friends lives more meaningful. Thanks, William G. Smith
Good rules Greg. To re-iterate, or put in other ways:
#1 Live in the Now. There is only now. We create the now with our thoughts & feelings, so if we’re thinking about the past, we’re re-creating the past!
#2 Persistence always pays. As in the famous example of Thomas Edison, with over a thousand attempts to create a light-bulb, he eventually found the light 🙂
#3 Discovery. There is always something new to find out. Yesterday, i researched hydroponics for a community project i’m planning. i discovered an article about Kevin Newell who grows as much food as would be grown on 6 acres of farmland in a 50’ X 130’ space!
#4 Be unreasonable. Reason, or logic is just half the picture, half the brain. It has its place, but the other half, the intuitive, creative space is, well – Creative 🙂
#5 Create your own rules. i’ve been thinking about this lately, again for the community i’m planning. On the one hand i think the rules (or guidelines) should be jointly decided, but on the other hand, i’m taking the lead at the moment with the project and i have high standards, so i am creating the rules. It goes back to our thoughts creating. Why have low standards, when we can create anything!
If you’re interested in transformational, healing community, and creating peace check out my ideas here please: http://www.moving-overseas-guide.com/2012-awakening.html
Happy Birthday Cooper. Peace & Love
pete
I love this idea about creating your own rules so you always win. I constantly run into the danger of comparing myself, so this is a good lesson for me, to boost my confidence by always coming out a winner! Thanks for your wisdom, my son constantly does this too, but I have never shifted it apply to me. Guess I was being too logical
Thanks and Happy birthday Cooper!
Hi Greg,
A couple of months before my youngest son turned 4, he was the guest speaker at Toastmasters (http://vimeo.com/24778444).
Kids are all geniuses. Sometimes, we just happen to find it. I am happy you are finding Cooper’s genius, because that is the best gift you could ever give him.
When my kids were growing up, I fell in love with this poem by Wordsworth.
“My heart leaps up, when I behold
A rainbow in the sky.
So was it when my life began,
So shall it be when I grow old,
And when I die.”
“The child is father of the man,
And I could wish my days to be,
Bound each to each by natural piety.”
The child will always know more than the father. Our challenge is staying like a child.
Happy Birthday Cooper!
Brian
Took me right back to that wide eyed little girl I used to be…what a beautiful reminder for us all…
Love the analogies, some may call a 4y/o naive while others inspirational…
Great distinction!
So true, I have a 5 year old grandson and another who is almost 2 and boy they are a good reminder of what joy is and how to live in the moment! Remember Jesus said ” become like little children and you will enter the kingdom of Heaven”? I think this is what he meant!
If kids are our best teachers who should be teaching the kids?
I agree wit the sentiments behind the blog and with two teenage children I long for those halcyon days when they were just four years old.
I believe and teach that entrepreneurs need to switch constantly between the open minded analysis of the 4 year old to the structured views and assessments of the wise old sage. When breaking into new problems both sets of tools.
Hang on to those days as a four year old because it won’t be too long before they have gone and the terrible teens set in.
It’s the memories of the small child you hold that help you get through the terrible teens!
I just have to reply…as a Mom of a current teen and have had three teen step kids – I HATE the term “terrible teens”. It’s so wrong to label kids (or anything for that matter) with one broad stroke and set up expectations of conflict and failure! The ‘wise old sages’ are often not wise at all and are just old and stuck in their ways. Teens often challenge the adults around them because they have new ideas and they question everything…not a bad way to approach a business or life for that matter. I have learned amazing lessons from my teens, and they have learned from me. We teach each other. I have expected good things from all the ages/stages of my kids…be careful what you believe in, you just might get it.
My mother passed on to me the joy in living to be found every day, just as Cooper does. She could sit down with my children and play “Jacks” as if she were their age. She could find joy and miracles in everything, even the tough times, often used very unorthodox methods — just like Cooper — to create progress, and she carried that joy and wisdom with her every day until she passed away.
As a businesswoman, I enjoy all the principles you delivered here in your wonderful story about Cooper, and also work to apply them in daily life.
This was a terrific article, Greg, and thanks for sharing it with us. Continue to enjoy the lessons learned from Cooper, and keep passing them on to us…In our hurried days of work, we can use these refreshing insights…
Thank you so much for sharing the lessons you’ve learned through Cooper. In my business, I feel as though I’m starting over with fresh new eyes and I am encouraged to combine my adult perspective with my inner child blissfulness.
Hey Greg,
GREAT insight here. My son Brock will turn 4 on April 21st so I’m right with you brother.
I count myself blessed to be able to spend plenty of quality time with him, to simply enjoy the experiences.
Look forwrd to seeing you again soon.
Kevin Thompson
Hey Kev, thanks and look forward to seeing you in AZ!
Thank you so much for sharing the lessons you’ve learned through Cooper. In my business, I feel as though I’m starting over with fresh new eyes and I am encouraged to combine my adult perspective with my inner child blissfulness.
It’s my birthday today also. What you said is so true, kids are amazing teachers. My nephew always teaches me amazement everyday. His attitude is always appreciative, he just gets it. He gets my love, my hugs, my unconditional support. He gets that time spent with him means more than any materialistic item. As I experience another birthday, I want to treat each encounter today with amazement and gratitude. and spend the day with people who I enrich my lives and love and support me unconditionally.
Thanks, virinder
Thanks for sharing.
Virinder
Happy birthday! 🙂
It’s not only children that you can learn from, I have a small dog called Cindy, she was not my dog originally she belonged to someone that I worked with, but I have known her since she was only 6 weeks old.
I used to play with her when she was just a puppy, and somehow she got the idea that she wanted to stay with me, when we finished work she would jump in my car to come with me home, and I would have to lift her out and give back to the guy that owned her.
This however didn’t stop Cindy jumping into my car at the end of the day, and she followed me everywhere that I went.
Her owner decided that she should come with me, but I didn’t want a dog, but I agreed to look after her for 2 weeks for him whilst he went on holiday, but when he came back he refused to take her back, and I had got uaed to having her.
So her persistance paid off for her and now she is 8 years old, and I love her very much.
Yup, I agree.. our dogs have taught me a lot – in particular, the unconditional love they’re willing to offer. They’re simply there to be happy, and be in the moment. There’s nothing like a dog! 🙂
Great stuff Greg & happy bday to your little guy.
Great thoughts coming from you Greg, It’s even more inspiring to know that all of these were inspired by a 4 year old. wishing him a very happy birthday.
quality advice as always, my two girls to a ‘T’ or is that three including the wife lol.
Kids are truly wonderful. I am always in awe after spending time with a child. It is so wonderful to be reminded of the beauty around us as seen through their eyes. You have a wonderful family, I am really happy for you. Thanks for sharing your insight with us in this posting. Hope the Birthday was fantastic.
Greg,
You are a beautiful model of a loving father, Connor is blessed to have you as well. I am so in love with my 4 year old grandson…while visiting him last week I had the honor of wiping his butt for him which is when he took the opportunity to tell me “You are the best grandma” his timing was impeccable ! Thanks for your astute insights…really needed them today?
Loved your talk at Messenger Summiti
Happy birthday Cooper….
As a mother of six, I really can relate! My children grew up in a creative household and have taken their imagination and creativity to their own lives and are sharing what they have learned with their kids.It’s a gift to live in the present like you do with your boy.Unfortunately, even the most creative and imaginative people have to learn to respect others values and needs as well.That is the real lesson- holding on to one’s own perspectives while listening and sharing with others.You sound like a wonderful dad, and he’s so lucky to have you as a dad.I’m sure 10 years ago you never saw yourself playing in the sandbox or running toy trucks and cars through the gravel, and thinking, Wow this is kickass! Amazing how those little rug rats have the power to change us and bring us back to childhood.
Greg, I met a young lady of 11 years old….twice. The first time I met her she was bubbly, outgoing and so full of creativity. We worked on an art project in the afternoon and I leant lots by observing how her mind worked.
The next time I met her, she was quiet and disconnected and aloof. Her parents were not near so I asked her what was wrong? She told me that her parents had put her on Ritalin, I was shocked, as asked her if she new why, and she was not exactly sure, she told me that it had changed her and she had lost friends over it and that she could not think straight anymore. This saddened me alot, I am sure you can imagine.
I asked her how her schooling was going, she replied Boring..I asked why, and she said in science class all they were doing is mixing vinegar with baking soda…ho hum!!! And this was the kicker..she told me with brightness in her eyes, what I really want to do is take the dna of humans and mix it with the dna of geckos so that we can grow fingers back…thats what I really want to do..her brilliance in the moment effected me on so many levels. I will never underestimate the intelligence of children and where their ideas may take them, I felt blessed to meet this young lady. Since this was 7 years ago, maybe she has become the mad scientist she has dreamt about.
this story also saddens me…our society is way to quick to medicate which as in this case certainly squashed her zest for life and basic right to happiness!
Since children don’t know the “rules” yet, they are wide open to adventure, learning and loving. We adults are cautious because of past hurts, failures. I am working on getting my child like mindset back. The possibilities of an open mind are endless. Just have to get past the fear of failure and rejection.
Sweet post, nice insights. Lol Happy Birthday Cooper!
Hi Greg,
Good post for the holiday.
My daughters birthday is today as well (15 yrs). As the saying goes… are we here to teach them or are there here to teach us?!
If you want to know more about lesson five I strongly suggest you read Calvin and Hobbes!
Best of health to you and yours, Robert
Hey Greg,
Your little boy is sweety.He will grow to be a winner.
We can learn convrntional wisdom ftom every petson,
because rveryone has his unique, individual experiencing
in life.
Awesome insights. Thank you, Greg, for sharing. And, to everyone who shared.
I learned the art of conversation through the eyes of my 18 year old son…when he was six…he intuitively knew how to enter a conversation and how to gracefully exit one.
And, his first experience at public speaking was so innocent, and his recovery so remarkable, it is a moment I shall recall whenever I stumble on stage.
At six, he stood up in front of a formal garden party of 30 people (some were strangers), cleared his voice to get the audiences’ attention, and announced he had three jokes to tell. His uncle had told him these the day before. He blanked out, ran over to me (luckily his uncle was beside me), got the jokes back in his head, and ran back to his seat. He stood up prouder, whipped off those jokes, and proceeded to make his audience laugh. Today he is a great story-teller.
I’m grateful to you, and my other teachers…especially our lovely children…for the lessons they teach us.
My best friends grandson is name Promise and he is more than a handful. I don’t have children of my own and never realized just how much wisdom a child can teach us smart adults. Patience, persistence, the art of making up your own rules and making everyone else follow them 🙂 pisses you off in a fun way, and then you laugh at the same time. I never really knew how much fun and how much you can learn until God blessed me to be around Him. I do know you learn foreign languages better from a child than a book all day long. Children are one of the greatest gifts God ever gave the world for so may wonderful reasons. Enjoy Cooper and tell him many, many more Happy Birthdays.
I am blessed that I create kid’s shows and perform for them for a living. I do small shows (up to 500 kids) so I can really engage with them. I really like when before and after, the schools send kids to help set-up and take down, and also write critics on the shows. It is so amazing. They are so honest. If they like it, they tell you, if not, they tell you! And then they just keep on playing! No resentment! They are in the moment. And they are keeping me there too. Very grateful to be surrounded by more than 30,000 kids each year. The hardest part for me though is when I see kids being damaged by controlling adults who live in fear of letting them grow up to be unique and special, and tell them they must get ‘good jobs’. I don’t see much efforts in promoting entrepreneurship. This is something I always hope we could do together Greg, create a kid’s show that would promote starting your own business…
Hi Helene, good to hear from you and hope all is well! 🙂
I love YOUR enthusiasm for your child. The child in me wants to play and has been hurt so much. Luckily the adult me can support childish play and free the child to be ever more adventurous and free. Being more in the moment and taking risks. Thanks for sharing your inspiration.
Greg, I have to agree with you. I have 3 children ( ages 4,7 and 9) and I truly believe that they are here not only to teach me, but to remind me of what it was like when I believed anything was possible. Every day, I see them do something a little crazy and I say, “no- don’t do that!” to which they reply, “why not?”….then, I pause for a moment, and think to myself, why the hell not?…..then- I join them!
I don’t know how to play my own game or how to win it.
What is your own game? That’s the starting point. What game do you WANT to play and win?
Bingo!
A wonderful story, Greg, which I can relate to not only as a former kindergarten teacher but also as a mom of a today 39 year old wonderful young woman. The early ages were flying by way too fast and, as some of the others state, the teen years hit me quite hard. At that time I just divorced my first husband and therefore was a single mom and it seemed even worse going through it on my own. However, also those years passed and a wonderful young woman blossomed and opened up to become a beautiful rose in “my” garden, called life. Even though she stayed in Switzerland we are close and I consider her my only friend I can talk about anything I have on my mind. I also have to say that I am one of those adults who are able to live in the now, full of enthusiasm, awaken and still being aware of the beauty which surrounds all of us – if we are willing to look at it and suck it in. Happy Birthday, Cooper!
You certainly gave us a great piece to relate with in this post, Greg!
Keeping those traits alive in my kids (and in myself), while preparing them for the future is a daily challenge.
I’ve been telling my VERY persistent boys for several years that if they come to us wanting something (usually to buy) not only do they need to come up with 2 or 3 “what’s in it for me (as parent) – what pain will it solve?” reasons to give them permission to get what they want, they also have to provide 3 ways they’ll earn the cash to show us their commitment to the goal. I figure, if they’re going to be persistent, they might as well learn how to sell – and add value! (Also helps to get some chores done around the house. lol)
Had to chuckle this morning, when my eldest (now 11) pointed out that I hadn’t demanded of his younger brother (now 8) to give me 3 reasons to purchase a book the younger wanted… apparently I slipped in my rule and gave permission prematurely. Well…they’re certainly keeping me honest – and committed!
Happy birthday to Cooper… he’s a blessed little dude.
(And a special wish for Raylene too, mother to mother.)
Greg !
Thank you sooo much for all you share. And for your ability to draw the lines between what you experience in your life – to business aspects.
Sure do appreciate being in your stream.
Right now your story about you driving on a flat bicycle tire – comes to my mind. Your sharing of that event – amongst others of your sharings – is useful.
You ask me to tell you what I’ve learned from people around me which surprised me…
Well, I’m continuesly amazed by adults who think that circumstances are the reason for theirs troubles. Like: Because the bus was late – I – now have a problem – so it is that bus or the drivers fault that I’m not able to be on time…… in stead of: Aha, the bus is here late – – – I call and inform that I will arrive a.s.a.p. or I hire a taxi. Two different mindsets. Two different outcome of feelings. Where being able to keep the balance – in the now – gives more good life-moments. Maybe as a four year old ?
So what ? The price of the taxi – or, so what – about being late ? If we can keep our balance and awareness – life is good. Now.
Yes – to the extent to point externally at causes of your circumstances, you’re a victim.. and unable to change it. The moment you take control and responsibility, you now have the ability to change your outcome. It’s as simple as that.
AS a Mother of three and grandmother of 7nearly 8(Expected soon) These lessons are something I have learned and seen in force for years. The Persistence in our family is extremely strong. Loved the Blog.
I have 4 amazing kids ages 15, 12, 9 and 6, and they have been my greatest teachers. Yes! my number one lesson has also been “Be present in the here and now.” Thanks to learning from my kids, I have been blessed with the miraculous teens. So Greg, keep on learning from Cooper and enjoying that powerful and loving connection you and your child have created.
That is Awesome Greg! So true!
Wao! Interesting observations! As a mother of five children now growups with their own families, i certantly know what you’re saying. Happy birthday to Cooper from and extranger! Keep this email save….because the day will come when he as well probably be a father. Enjoy your son father… children grow up sooooo fast! Aida
Greg- You sound like a fantastic father. Thanks for sharing your insights with Cooper and the unconditional love you have for him. I’m going to share this with my readers on my blog at Love Repair 101. Thanks for the smile and Happy Birthday Cooper!
I’m definitely not a perfect father, but I try and he’s incredibly important to me without a doubt. You’re welcome!
Aida celeste says adding to my previous comment: ” the association you’re doing from the experiences you are having bringing up your son…. to being an entreprenur are helping to ask ourselves some questions…. to answer them are hard thou… Yes, i had been reading about Job after his passing and perhaps you’re so right. He was a very interesting person. I have to pass on this blog… thank you for sitting down to write it! Aida
Thank you for the kind words.
very interesting blog and I thank you for sharing. It made me realize that I need to think like a 4 year old, like I used to. I’m guilty of living by everyone else’s rules. This has been an eye opener for me….so thanks again!
My kids have taught me so much about dreaming and going after your dreams…from my daughter who manifested private school, a year in Italy at 16 and a full ride to GW, and a VERY persistent son who barely got through HS on the 5 year plan and then started a successful business at 21 and another son who encouraged me never to let my age stop me from going after what I wanted. Out of the mouths of babes…………..
Make the most of quality times that pass in a flash but leaves a lasting bond .
I love the wisdom that you shared that you gleaned from your child of 4. I would never have thought to have applied that to my business. Thank you for sharing. All 5 points ring true!
I love being around my 4 year old, every day I learn something new from him. Happy Birthday to Cooper!
Greg this is WONDERFUL! What a perfect way to get all of us “grown-ups” to see things more clearly through the eyes and heart of a child. I love this, thanks so much for sharing, and Happy Birthday Cooper!
Great post Greg! If you can remain open to your children they are definately our best teachers. I find when they question why something is so, I then have the opportunity to explore my conditioned beliefs and determine if that really fits with what I am trying to create in life and in my relationships with my two boys (ages 8 & 5). More often than not I cannot find good reason to hold onto that belief, which says a lot about how our conditioning can really hold us back in life without us realising it!
I also wanted to comment on Lesson #3, as I was reading (about the brain) the other day, and discovered that if we continued to learn something completely new regularly our minds would stay as sharp as they are when we are young children!
Happy 4th Birthday Cooper! And thanks again Greg!
I’m grateful for the God who created me who surprises me everyday! 16 days until I go to Africa to do leadership training with women in ministry. And I know I will be grateful for what I will learn!
Dear Greg, thanks a lot for sharing your unexpected 5 lessons! They are so powerful…
Who in my life shared some powerful wisdom or taught me a lesson that I am grateful for?… well, not too many, but YOU are surely one of those, and in fact one of the best!
Keep doing things the way you are doing… thanks once more!
Thanks Tony, I appreciate that!
When I was 7 I broke my ankle jumping off a roof because I was sure I could fly. In some ways, I know I still can!
Never think you are too old to instill these awesome qualities we forget about. I see these qualities in my own grandchildren. I’m 63 years old and starting my own business. Older people are like 4 year olds in that we regain some of these qualities back. Some of us go out there with a 4 year old confidence and realize all we missed in those in between years. This is a wake up call for all you ‘in betweeners’.
Hi Greg … my mom’s maiden name was cooper (as in a surname) ……………………and I am presently 57 years old………………………………………..and I have all the traits you described in cooper ………………so how are you going to pigeon hole me ? as an overgrown adult child ….or just someone who does not like being grown up and prefers
to have childish traits. Whatever it is …… I think I have them for I plan to earn 7 million us dollars from the sale of my book mastermind and as I think of God as my daddy that’s how I plan to get the money. cooper and I can be real buddies ..we have a lot in
common.
What a great article. My childish first reaction was here’s another smug family thing to pile the pressure on us single folk. By contrast, I now have 5 fab principles to help my running coaching biz thrive. I learned from my nephew that if you thrash him at badminton make sure you lose to him on the playstation…maybe a lesson there in positioning for joint ventures. See you in San Diego Greg!
Thanks Greg,
We all have Cooper within us! Lets wake up and start living life fully.
Happy Birthday Cooper:^)
In gratitude,
Kevin
You got me when you expressed appreciation for your space in my in box. I appreciate being able to make a comment without jumping through hoops. Congratulations on receiving the great gifts the love you share with your son and your wife brings to you and I appreciate your sharing them. Good, solid, heart felt advice and I love that you are embracing that “unreasonable” passion, that heart felt determination. It’s so easy to get stuck in a mental / emotional loop trying to solve a problem and it just consumes your time and energy and passion; and it is so simple that the want for goodness in your life and the determination that nothing can stop you can carry you to your destination. So much thanks to you, for the email, and Raylene, and Cooper! Great stuff!
We should never be too old to be 4 year old..at least par time..
From my awesome business Partner & Spouse Charlotte-“Do what you love and love what you do”
It does’nt matter what live brings you- you are All ways given the chance to take another turn – be brave, openminded and never ever give up in beliving in your dreams – follow your inner voice- and be patient:-)
COOPER is such an ADORABLE kid and I thank you Greg and Raylene in a special way for sharing with me his young life, the precious moments of a childlike history will always be in my heart as his Nanny and Godmother at the same time. I am always so proud of him. He deserves this blog , all the thoughts from you and may his growing up, be your inspiration and dedication in all that matters. So blessed to be with Cooper’s life and with you both who has given him support and every opportunity to grow a very expressive one because he knows he is so well loved and treasured. MABUHAY the HABSTRITT FAMILY!
My mother is the most inspirational person in my life and is a source of such powerful wisdom and courage. After working as a civil servant for 35 years and aged 60 she started her business one and a half years ago. She is just amazing and I must say has defied all odds and she has taught me that its never too late to shine! She lives over 10.000miles from me but her voiceon the phone is so full of contagious energy, I love her and admire her courage! She is a blessing to me and to those who have parents remember the best lessons and test of character come from those loved ones!
That explains why Christ said that the kingdom of God is for those such as these. It seems to me that the true path to greatness in this our time starts with first unlearning what we have grown up to be as adults. And we can only begin to do this when we discover the road to enlightenment, and start to realize that what we are is holding us back from what we can be.
Victor Olewunne
The feedback that little children give us on a daily basic is totally uncensored.10 year old Molly; revealed to me the importance of leaving a mark by giving praise to the people around you. I’m blessed to know Molly and to receive life’s lessons from her. Today give much praise to the people in your life.
Thank you Greg for what you do for us. Wish Cooper a very Happy Birthday.
The feedback that little children give us on a daily basic is totally uncensored.10 year old Molly; revealed to me the importance of leaving a mark by giving praise to the people around you. I’m blessed to know Molly and to receive life’s lessons from her. Today give much praise to the people in your life.
Thank you Greg for what you do for us. Wish Cooper a very Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday lil’ Coopster!!! Have a super-duper ultra fun day Big-Guy! 😀
Greg, you’re such an inspiration and a true role model, both in business and in life, and I am so grateful to have been taught by you and to have you as my coach and mentor, even though it may just be through my “in box” right now. I can’t explain just how much your words of advice to me last August have truly helped me push through (and out of!) the hard times and move forward. A great big sincere Thank-You to you and your bosses (Raylene, Cooper, & Kourosh), and everyone else at Simple Wealth for being such amazing leaders and motivators with such rare high integrity, which is always so refreshing to hear/read from you.
PS – my little pride&joy/love-of-my-life/wonderful-pitbull got attacked by another pitbull (who’s owner was a female) last week and I had to break up the fight. It was so incredibly scary as heck and appeared to be really violent. It was a real effort to break it up and luckily both dogs only had minimal wounds, although my hands got a little injured in the process (thankfully though only minimally as well), but the whole time it was happening I was actually thinking, “I know Greg said not to step in to stop a dog fight but he’s my boy, I have to. Oh please, I sure hope I don’t end up like how Greg’s face looked last summer after his dog fight incident, oh please”… sorry Greg but, LOL! 🙂
…Happy Big-4-day Coops!
Hi Jayson, thanks for the kind words and keep up the momentum! Persistence is the most powerful trait in the world.
Greg this is fantastic!! A perfect way for all of us grown-ups to see things more clearly through the eyes and heart of a child. AWESOME…Thanks so much for sharing.
Wow! This evoked many responses. As for persistence, I keep a quote by John Mason beside my desk that inspires me.
“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock.
the stream always wins,
not through strength, but through perseverance.”
You need to read it 2 or 3 times to really capture the essence ot it.
Thank you Cooper for inspiring your father to write those wonderful insights! Great post!
Hi Greg, Loved the lessons you learned from Cooper. Lessons and reminders are all around us. I learned a lesson this morning while running with my adorable one year old boarder collie. He loves sticks. I throw one for him, he chases after it enjoys running with it for a while. Then he drops it and is just as excited about the next one that I throw him. What I learned watching his joy and exuberance, is that life gives as many wonderful sticks to enjoy, we don’t have to get attached to them, but know that there is always another one to enjoy and savor.
Loved you reading the ” The Branson-Effect” Thank you for that. With much joy, Kucki http://www.kuckilow.com
yap! some of the best ,,rules” of living you got here. is good that from time to time, someone reminds us about true life. i think that’s why we like childrean so much: they reminds us how we have to be every day.
Greg, this posting is probably the most impactful you have shared. Yes you provided 5 points for business owners; this is great. And, in story form which will gain a longer retention of your points for those who follow your postings.
The best part of this posting for me is the reality you have experienced as a father. You have declared, without words that you have a soft spot for people and a heart that is open to suggestion; points for future exploration and continuance for the valid content you put forward. You have leaned a closed mind will dimish learning and imagination; one needs the other to perpetuate longevity in your work ethic and sharing of opportunities as a counsellor/mentor. The excellence is YOU put PEOPLE first while making money.
Inject into your thoughts , the faith of a child!!!
Good observation, thanks.
It’s funny, or maybe not so funny, how we try very hard to form kids into our frames.
Being present with a child, you never know what will transpire! Great teachable moments always go both ways! It’s a gift that is why they call it “The Present!”
SO VERY TRUE! We learn so much from children!
This is brilliant, Greg! Very important to me now as I am at the very early stages of launching my own business. Doing what matters NOW, being relentlessly tenacious, understanding that it’s actually GOOD to be unreasonable if it means offering the world the best I have to offer, and feeling comfortable playing by my own rules are the key lessons I need to focus on at this point. Thank you for these reminders!
thanx Greg. I admire you and your family. I learn a lot from you.