Morning brother,

Apparently 32% of all Millennial dads don’t own a hammer…

The New York Post shared a story highlighting that Millennial fathers have “pathetic DIY skills” compared to their boomer dads.

How would you rate yourself on your DIY Skills?

In today’s edition:

• 💪 Building resilience

• ⏰ Maximize you time

• 👷 Job Board

Personal Development

The Resilience Muscle: Facing Dad Challenges Head-On

Life throws curveballs, and as a dad, you’re in the batter's box every day. From the workplace to the home front, challenges are constant. The good news? You can train your resilience muscle just like an athlete or a soldier, making those tough moments easier to handle. Here’s your guide to developing mental toughness and resilience, distilled into dad-sized bites.

The Basics of Resilience

1. Embrace the Grind: Just like marathon runners push through “the wall,” resilience is built by facing challenges head-on. Start small. Tackle that cluttered garage or finally fix the leaky faucet. Each little win builds your mental strength.

2. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Legendary basketball coach John Wooden once said, "Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." Viewing setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures helps you grow stronger.

Lessons from Sports Psychology

1. Visualization: Top athletes use visualization to prepare for big games. You can do the same. Before a tough meeting or challenging parenting moment, visualize a successful outcome. Picture yourself navigating the situation with calm and confidence.

2. Focus on What You Can Control: In sports, athletes concentrate on controllables like effort and attitude. At home or work, focus on your actions and responses rather than the outcome. This shift in focus reduces anxiety and boosts resilience.

3. Build a Routine: Consistency is key. Create daily routines that include exercise, adequate sleep, and time for hobbies. Routines provide stability and a sense of control, essential for resilience.

Military Strategies for Mental Toughness

1. Stress Inoculation: Military training includes exposing soldiers to controlled stress to build resilience. You can apply this by gradually facing more challenging tasks. Start with smaller stressors and work your way up, like building endurance in a workout.

2. Team Support: Soldiers rely on their unit; you have your family and friends. Don't hesitate to lean on them for support. Share your challenges and victories. This network provides strength and perspective.

3. After-Action Reviews: Post-mission, the military reviews what went well and what didn’t. After a tough day, reflect on what you handled well and where you can improve. This practice helps you learn and grow, reinforcing your resilience muscle.

Practical Tips for Everyday Dad Resilience

1. Keep Perspective: Remember that setbacks are temporary. Whether it's a bad day at work or a toddler tantrum, it will pass. Keep your long-term goals in sight to stay motivated.

2. Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you offer your kids. Acknowledge that you’re doing your best, and it’s okay to stumble.

3. Stay Active: Physical activity is a proven stress buster. Whether it’s a quick jog, a game of basketball, or a walk with the dog, keeping active boosts your mood and resilience.

Bouncing Back Faster

1. Develop Problem-Solving Skills: Break down challenges into smaller, manageable parts. Tackle one piece at a time, and celebrate each small victory.

2. Cultivate Optimism: Optimism isn’t about ignoring problems but facing them with a positive outlook. Remind yourself of past successes and the strengths you bring to the table.

3. Stay Connected: Relationships are a cornerstone of resilience. Spend quality time with your family and friends. Their support will help you bounce back quicker from any setback.

Incorporate these strategies into your daily routine, and you’ll find your resilience muscle growing stronger with each challenge you face. Remember, it's not about avoiding challenges but learning to thrive despite them. So, step up to the plate and swing away – you’ve got this, dad!

Personal Development

Maximizing the 24-Hour Dad Clock

Ever feel like there aren't enough hours in the day? Balancing work, family, personal growth, and a bit of leisure can seem like an impossible juggling act. But with a few innovative time-management hacks, you can make every hour count. Here’s how to become a master of the 24-hour dad clock.

Start with a Solid Foundation

1. The Power of Prioritization: Not all tasks are created equal. Use the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks by urgency and importance. Focus on what’s important, not just what’s urgent.

2. Time Blocking: Dedicate specific blocks of time for different activities. Reserve mornings for deep work, afternoons for meetings, and evenings for family. This structured approach ensures all aspects of your life get the attention they deserve.

Leverage Technology

1. Digital Calendars: Sync your work and personal calendars to avoid conflicts and double-bookings. Tools like Google Calendar can send reminders, so you never miss an important event.

2. Task Management Apps: Apps like Todoist, Trello, or Asana help you keep track of tasks and deadlines. Break down big projects into smaller, manageable tasks and check them off as you go.

3. Automate Repetitive Tasks: Use automation tools like IFTTT or Zapier to handle repetitive tasks. Automate bill payments, email responses, and even grocery orders to free up time for more important activities.

Old-School Techniques That Still Work

1. Pen and Paper: There’s something satisfying about physically crossing off items from a to-do list. Use a bullet journal to track daily tasks, set goals, and reflect on your progress.

2. The Pomodoro Technique: Work in focused bursts of 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break. This method increases productivity and prevents burnout. Use a kitchen timer or a Pomodoro app to keep track.

3. The Sunday Night Review: Spend 30 minutes on Sunday night planning your week. Review upcoming appointments, set your top priorities, and prep for any major tasks. This habit sets a proactive tone for the week.

Time for Family

1. Family Meetings: Hold a weekly family meeting to discuss schedules, plans, and any issues. This keeps everyone on the same page and ensures family time is prioritized.

2. Quality Over Quantity: Make the most of the time you do have with your family. Plan activities that everyone enjoys, whether it’s game night, a movie marathon, or a weekend hike.

3. Shared Calendars: Use a shared family calendar app like Cozi to coordinate schedules. Everyone can add their activities, making it easier to plan family time around individual commitments.

Personal Growth and Leisure

1. Micro-Learning: Fit learning into small pockets of time throughout your day. Listen to podcasts or audiobooks during your commute, or watch short educational videos during breaks.

2. Schedule Leisure Time: Yes, you read that right. Schedule downtime just like any other task. Whether it’s 30 minutes of reading before bed or a weekend bike ride, make sure you’re taking time for yourself.

3. Set Boundaries: Protect your personal time by setting boundaries. Let your family know when you need some alone time and stick to it. A little bit of solitude goes a long way in recharging your batteries.

The Takeaway

Balancing all the demands of modern dad life requires a strategic approach to time management. By prioritizing tasks, leveraging technology, and making room for family and personal growth, you can make every hour count.

It’s not about doing more, but about doing what matters most. So, take control of your 24-hour dad clock and make the most of each day. You’ve got this!

Dad Joke Vault

Sundays are always a little sad,

but the day before is a sadder day.

The GRL DAD Treehouse

😎 Make them feel useful: Dr. Johnathan Haidt has some advice on how to fill your kids time when you limit screen-time.

🧠 Smarter not Harder: This chap had a brilliant way of mowing around a tough spot in the yard… take notes.

👹 Ed the Monster: Does your eldest act as a translator for your younger kids? This hilarious story is a great example of when a translator can come in handy. lens.

The Job Board

Senior Engineers, SDET T-Mobile USA, Inc.

Inside Sales Representative Champion Plastics

Project Engineer Harvey Nash

From the GRL DAD Crew

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