Four character traits I am going to especially work on this summer.

Humility

To remember there is something I can learn from every person I interact with, and to remind myself that no matter how confident I am with my knowledge or skill in a particular area, there is always room for growth and to continue asking questions.

Dad taking summer evening walk while holding sleeping toddler

Patience

To practice being more patient with people - especially our own children - when they are also asking their many questions.

I am truly so proud of their curiosity and questioneering, but it is something that is sometimes easier to be proud of in the abstract than in the day-to-day reality.

Why are we doing things this way?
I want to say, more than a few times a day…
Here’s why: because I said so. Now stop asking questions.

You still need help with that?
I want to say, more than a few times a day…
Then go look it up on Wikipedia or YouTube or find someone else.

Patience is so much more fun when you’re telling other people to have it.

Respect

Fred VanVleet patiently awaits the buzzer to sound for official notification of victory.

To show respect for others by giving my focused attention when interacting with them. To move away from the mumbled “uh-huh” response that signals nothing but distracted attention, which is not really attention. To work on my own hypocrisy in expecting them to respect and enjoy the present, while often finding it difficult to fully appreciate it myself.

Most of all, to give the gift of my attention. My respectful, focused attention, and when I can’t, to do a better job with the Patience thing and not get irritated that they’re simply wanting my attention.

They can’t always have it immediately.

But to recognize and remember that it’s okay for them to want it, and that I can help them learn to patiently and respectfully wait for people’s attention by modeling how it can be done with a dollop of grace and patience.

Confidence

To share what I’ve created with the world; with those willing to gift their time and read or watch, without worrying how it might be received or whether “it’s ready.” To be confident in what I know, what I write, what I shoot and to know it’s okay for some people to like it and some people to not. To be okay with that.

To be confident and keep creating and sharing even when there’s silence.

There is a certain kind of confidence that drives innovation and motivates us to build or create or or make or do something because we have to.

We. Have. To.

That is the confidence I want to model for those around me.

The internal confidence to do what a person must do, outside the expectation of reward, praise, or even an audience.

The internal confidence to burst forth to the world our very best.

Our best comes not from a place of arrogance, it comes from a spirit of confidence, and generosity that says when our best bursts forth, we help others become their best.

That is the confidence I want to model.

The confidence of leaping forward with a big smile, a heart of determination, legs ready to move, hands ready to get dirty, and a nimble mind ready to exercise and innovate.