Dads weird secret weapon

Hey brother, happy almost Friday.

Let me get straight to the point.

Today, I want to talk to you about a secret weapon that's made a major difference for me and many dads I know.

It's mindfulness.

Now, before you think I'm going off on some spiritual tangent, hear me out.

Mindfulness isn't about sitting cross-legged on a mountaintop speaking to the clouds. It's about being present in the moment, listening, and responding thoughtfully instead of reacting thoughtlessly.

So, what could mindfulness look like for busy dads like you?

Imagine this: Your 8-year-old just spilled milk all over your brand-new laptop. Your initial instinct will be to react with frustration, probably even anger. It's a natural response. But what if you could catch yourself before that reaction, breathe, and respond with a neutral tone instead? Let me tell you something. When things like this would happen(and we all know they do), I would fly off the handle and lose my temper. Things that I didn’t really mean would come out of my mouth and I always ended up regretting it.

Or picture this: It's been a long day, you're exhausted, and all you want to do is switch off and relax. But your daughter wants to tell you all about her day at school. Practicing mindfulness, you could fully engage in that conversation, making your child feel heard and valued, strengthening your bond, and guess what? You might find that your own stress starts to melt away in the process.

Here's a quick exercise to get to try and practice mindfulness:

1. Find a quiet place and sit comfortably.(for me this is usually taking a few minutes in my truck before I get home to the madness)

2. Close your eyes and take deep, slow breaths.

3. As you breathe in and out, try to focus on the sensation of the air entering and leaving your body.

4. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to focus on your breath.

That's it. It's not about clearing your mind but about bringing your attention back when it wanders. Just 5 minutes a day can make a difference.

Mindfulness isn't just a tool; it's a lifestyle shift with benefits that spill over into all areas of life, including your parenting journey.

As a mindful dad, not only do you improve your wellbeing, but you also model essential skills of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and thoughtful response to your kids.

Remember, EQ is a superpower.

I’m going to be bringing you guys regular info on being more intentional. I talk to a ton of you guys and the challenges typically stem from a lack of intention. I’m going on a mission to change that.

Start today. Add intention to your life.

Put in the work.

Talk soon,

Dom

P.S. If you get a lot of value from this group and these emails, the best way you can help us grow is by grabbing some GRL DAD gear so that you can spark conversation with others dads when you’re out and about. You can place an order ==> here