It was a proud dad moment for sure! I was in my room getting ready and I heard my 5 year old daughter Alyssa singing a song she made up to my 1 year old Olivia. The song only had a couple of lines that were repeated over and over to different melodies. It went like this: “We’re Hofackers and we never give up.”
She was singing it so joyfully and naturally that I welled up with pride.
Keep going
Then just a couple of days ago we went out for a walk. Alyssa took her new scooter along. She was all excited as any 5 year old would be. She strapped on her helmet and began to cruise. She was moving along just fine and having the time of her life when she lost her footing and crashed down on the hard concrete. She began to sob out of anger, pain, frustration, and embarrassment. Once she got some control of herself, I said, “It’s OK sweetie. I can carry you and the scooter home and we can take care of your scratches. And with that she screamed, “NO!” She stood up, grabbed her scooter and began to go again. A proud dad I was again.
The Number one Secret to Success
I was recently asked on a podcast interview what the top 3 tips for success were. My number one answer was what business author Jim Collins calls the Stockdale Paradox. This is having the dual mindset of having unwavering faith combined with the acceptance of the brutal facts. Things are going to get hard. You’re going to fall off your scooter.
We have a dear friend and client at the gym named Dina Giordano Legland. She epitomizes this “Stockdale Paradox” concept perfectly. Back in November, she posted this in our FB group:
“Hi All
I just wanted my TBBC Family to know that I was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer called invasive ductal carcinoma (her2+) I have to go thru 2 rounds of chemo then a double mastectomy after surgery I will need to be on 2 more drugs for a year & possibly radiation….the prognosis is good but there is no guarantees in life…I know it’s hard for people not to share so I don’t mind sharing my story…I am a fighter but I have an up-hill battle in front of me & I will make it to the top…I will see you all at the gym ”
There’s the paradox right there. “……..I will make it to the top” but also “I have an up-hill battle.”
Here is a more recent post from Dina and you can see the same mindset (faith and acknowledging the brutal facts).
“As I leave my home now I reflect on all the love, support & prayers from my family, friends & even strangers as I prepare for the 1st of 2 surgeries..bilateral mastectomy & tissue expander…I am truly blessed & know my loved ones that are not here will be watching over me…I am still climbing that up-hill battle and as I get to the top I will shout… “What Cancer”….Thank You Everyone ”
We all have struggles of different kinds and different magnitudes. It’s one thing we all have in common.
With the faith of a 5 year old and the determination of a Warrior, I encourage you to keep going in whatever fight you have in front of you.
God bless.