What I Told My Son When He Turned 9

4 Thoughts to Reflect On

1. Principles outlive profits.
Money can disappear overnight. What you stand for can’t. The stronger your values, the longer your business and reputation last.

2. Your kids are watching.
They don’t care what you say, they care what you do. Every decision, every reaction, every “small” choice is teaching them what success really looks like.

3. Peace is the new power.
Winning at business means nothing if you’re losing your health, your marriage, or your sanity. The goal is to build both wealth and peace.

4. Freedom is built, not found.
Freedom doesn’t just appear one day. It’s built through discipline, clarity, and choosing the harder right over the easier wrong.

4 Lessons I’ve Learned

1. Growth without gratitude leads to emptiness.
You can hit the goals, buy the cars, and still feel like something’s missing. Gratitude keeps you grounded in what actually matters.

2. Time is the ultimate investment.
Where you spend your hours is where your life goes. Make sure your family and future are on that list.

3. Doing the right thing always costs something — but it’s worth it.
Integrity isn’t convenient, but it compounds. It builds trust that lasts longer than any deal.

4. Success is about alignment, not applause.
If your results look great on the outside but don’t feel right inside, you’re building the wrong thing.

4 Challenges for You This Week

1. Audit your calendar.
If your time doesn’t match your priorities, change it. Start today.

2. Write down your non-negotiables.
What principles guide every decision you make? Get clear on them, then stick to them.

3. Teach someone a life principle you’ve learned the hard way.
Whether it’s your kid, a team member, or a peer, pass on what you’ve earned through experience.

4. Spend one full day fully present.
No phone. No work talk. No distractions. Be with your people and remember why you’re doing all this in the first place.

“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” — Albert Einstein

Money fades. Cars fade. Titles fade.
But principles?
They last generations.