Dad was famous for saying, “Get the kids to age 18, and we’ve done our job.”
I’m past 18. What now? (To be sure, I could write volumes on gifts Dad did provide.)
Mom was different: She played the “long game.” All the nurturing, instruction, discipline and sacrifice were bent on preparing us for life.
The wisdom she instilled has become indispensable, long-game leadership lessons:
1) Set others up for their success. Mother didn’t raise us to glorify herself. Consequently, her life is now filled with abundance. How will I lead so others go beyond what I can do?
2) Discipline in anything is not work – it’s the pursuit of discovering your own greatness. After we made a commitment, Mom wouldn’t let us quit. How will I demonstrate perseverance today?
3) Keep learning. Mom didn’t model this to get ahead of other moms. (The idea is laughable.) She did it for the joy of discovery. What questions can I ask that will take us to new levels of thinking?
4) Take the high road. Sometimes Mother is alone in this pursuit: Relentless in her quest to love unconditionally. What decision of higher action is it time for me to make?
5) Be the best you you can be. Mom has excelled at the ‘art of being a mom’. . . because each day is a platform to discover who she truly is. In what ways am I ready to lead more authentically?
I’m inspired by my mom, and increasingly believe each day is an opportunity to live and lead from her long game lessons.
What’s the greatest lesson you learned from your mother that supports you in your quest to be the best leader – the best person – you can be?
The greatest lessons I have learned from my Mom is to be happy and to love everyone who walks into your life! My Mom Nancy is always upbeat she lets nothing get her down! She is an amazing woman and I am so thankful for my Mom!
Thank you Craig for all the great messages! You inspire me every day my friend!
Cathy Varner
And you inspire me, my friend! Much of how you describe your mother is how I see you!
Craig
The greatest lesson my Mom taught me is believing in myself. No matter how I felt, no matter what monsters were bothering me as a child, my mother made me feel like I was at the center of my universe. By that, I mean she taught me that if I believe in myself and I know myself and where my heart lies(my greatness to use Pathway’s lingo, then anything is achievable.
Does this make me a Momma’s boy? You bet it does!
Knowing you Eric, I can assure you that you live the way your Mother hoped you would. The way you move through challenges is evidence that when we believe in our self, doors become easier to open. Thanks, Eric for sharing the wisdom of your Mom.
From one “momma’s boy” to another – thank you! The lessons from your mother that you share, Eric, are powerful. Especially, “know myself,”….wow, if I can succeed in passing that along to my children, I will be grateful. Thank you –
Craig
Both of my parents modeled discipline and commitment. They both demonstrated a high standard of work ethic and a passion for excellence in execution. Dad lived the motto “a job worth doing is a worth doing well.” Mom took it to the next level, early on (I’m talking grade school), she made it clear to me that doing what was expected, albeit very well, was not acceptable. She encouraged (at times insisted) that I do more than expected, put forth the extra effort. It instilled a habit of looking for opportunities to continually improve and trained me to meet the needs that I identify.
Rick – “…do more than expected…” those are leadership words that can change the game. Great wisdom – thanks for passing along!
Craig
Yo Rick! What an amazing habit – to look for opporutnities to do above and beyond. Your Robotics kids are learning lifetime lessons with you my friend. Thanks for sharing a little about your mom and the best you here!
Lisa
I love this article about lessons from mom. My mom is a great inspiration to me and I’m just about to become a mom in June. Many lessons from my mom come to mind, but what came to mind first was the example she set around continuing to learn and grow. She didn’t go to college until my brother and I were in middle school. At that point, in between running us all around, she went back for her Associates Degree. I still remember her doing algebra homework at one of my brother’s games! Her love for learning and her perserverance impacted my life greatly.
Debbie – congratulations! What a wonderful time to reflect on lessons and gifts from your mother – to ensure you pass along to your child. Have you read Steve Vannoy’s book, “The 10 Greatest Gifts I Give My Children”? I can’t tell you how often I hear from people, “I wish I’d read this sooner.” I strongly recommend!
All the best to you and your growing family, Debbie!
Craig
Hello Debbie! Congrats on your new addition. He is adorable! I love that you shared the lesson about learning and growing from your mom because, as a newer mom myself, your focus on learning and growing as a mom with your son will serve him for the rest of his life.
My best to you and Chris!
Lisa
Mom taught me to believe in myself,and that honesty, determination and perseverance are more important than money or status.
Pam, You certainly model honesty, determination, and perseverance with an usual ease and grace. How wonderful that you’ve living and leading in ways that are making a huge difference in so many people’s lives. — Sue
My mom taught me to listen.
Theresa – what’s the expression?…”The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” You are one of my favorite listeners, meaning you honor people and provide insights that were previously never considered. Thank you!
Craig
My Mom is the hardest working individual I know. She practices what she preaches. She has been retired since 55, yet she’s working harder than ever at things she loves. After retirement, she continues to help as church secretary, took country and western dance lessons, became a master gardner and created a “Memorial” Garden beside her home in Odessa, TX. Veterans and people of all walks of life come to see my Mom’s Memorial Garden. It’s been in progress since 1986. The garden is on Odessa’s Chamber of Commerce top 100 things to see in Odessa, TX. I hope I can live up to that!
sabrina, from knowing you so well and seeing the high integrity, high character way you live your life, i’m not surprised to learn these beautiful things about your mother. YOU are a huge part of her living legacy. Pl tell her thank you for me! steve
My Mom taught me one lesson from which all other attributes of my person have grown. It was an unusually passive lesson of which she set the example: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” was just a regular post card she had framed and sitting on her bedroom dresser. The picture was of many, many people, each of a different ethnicity. This was in the sixties. Wow! Back then, I didn’t know or care the source of the quote. I don’t even know who sent her the postcard or what has happened to it in the years since. From stopping and staring at that simple post card almost daily to watching my Mom put others first her entire life, is the single most important experience of my life.
This is powerful, Thad! And a good reminder. Knowing the magnitude of the difference you make in lives and results, it’s clear that your mother was an inspired person and leader herself! Thanks, Thad.
– Craig