Why My 5-Year Sprint Is Really About Being a Dad
Kids don’t become who you tell them to be; they become who you show them you are.
Why My 5-Year Sprint Is Really About Being a Dad
Lesson: The 5-Year Sprint and My Kids
4 years ago, I committed to what I call my “5-year sprint.” On the surface, it’s about financial security, working harder than ever to build stability. But the truth is deeper: I realized that 90% of the time I’ll spend with my kids happens before they turn 20. That hit me like a brick. My sprint isn’t about money for money’s sake, it’s about creating the freedom to be fully present when my daughters need me most as teenagers, when studies show that our relationship shifts into something deeper and more lasting. It’s also about showing them what I think it means to strive for something important and worthwhile.
Insight: Role Modeling Beats Words
My girls don’t listen to what I say nearly as much as they watch what I do. That realization has changed everything. I can’t just tell them to be kind, I have to live it. I can’t preach hard work, I have to show it. Even in my marriage, my happiness, and my drive, they’re watching closely. The growth they’ve given me is forcing me to define what it means to be a good human being and then actually live it. Being their dad isn’t just shaping them, it’s shaping me.
Action Item: Define Your Role Model Standard
This week, ask yourself: “What qualities do I want my kids (or my team, or my community) to see in me every day?” Pick one -kindness, consistency, health, ambition- and live it out visibly. Don’t just talk about it. Show it. Because people, especially kids, don’t become who you tell them to be; they become who you prove you are.
If you’re a parent and entrepreneur, check out The Girl Dad Show. I promise you’ll feel less alone on this wild ride.
Hear more and watch the clip from Young on LinkedIn
