10 Tips for being an awesome dad

timshurr • June 19, 2024
In honor of Father’s Day, here are 10 tips for being a great dad!

1. Be Present!  This one is #1 for a reason. Put down your phone, turn off the TV, and give your kids your full attention and energy when you’re with them. If you don’t have enough energy after work to give your kids the attention they deserve, stop working so hard. When they are all grown up you’ll regret not spending that time with them. 

​2. Embrace the Dad jokes . Don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself – act out voices, do impersonations, turn chores into silly games, and show off your best dance moves. Laughter really is the best parenting medicine. Just don’t take yourself too seriously unless you want to raise kids that turn into uptight, stressed-out adults. 

​3. Piggyback on Their Interests.  Whether it’s dinosaurs, magic tricks, or the latest TikTok dances, immerse yourself in your kid’s world. Kids love sharing what fascinates them with a willing audience (aka you). Even if you don’t like playing with dolls or listening to the music they love, they will love you for doing it.

​4. Schedule Regular One-on-One Time . Kids thrive on that undivided attention. Schedule regular dates or hangouts with each kid to make them feel special. (This is also wise to do with their mother!)

​5. Don’t Be Afraid to Discipline . Boundaries and rules create security. Don’t shy away from laying down the law when needed. You are not their buddy. You are their father, which is much more important. However, also make sure to catch them doing things right as much as possible because what you give attention to gets replicated. 

​6. Model Good Behavior.  Kids and teens are little sponges absorbing how to move through the world. Model the values, habits, and behaviors you hope they’ll emulate.



​7. Let Them See You Struggle . It’s OK to make mistakes or not have all the answers. Seeing Dad work through challenges teaches resilience. Your job is not to protect them from failing or getting hurt but to teach them how to bounce back after a disappointment or setback.

​8. Share Your Childhood Stories . Tell them about your own upbringing – the good, bad, and silly. It’ll help them understand you better and feel closer. Do resist constantly reminding them how much harder you had it than they do. It only makes them feel guilty or annoyed. Your stories should be teaching tales and not therapy for you.

​9. Say “I Love You” Often.  Those three little words have amazing power. Use them generously!  Hugs are also essential.  Even if you did not receive physical attention from your parents, you should give it abundantly to your kids.

​10. Ask For Help if you need it.  Asking others for support is a sign of wisdom, not weakness. If you’re struggling with anything, reach out for support. A happy, healthy dad is an awesome dad. I’ve learned a lot from my two kids, and they always feel good knowing they helped me. Carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders and trying to be Superman all the time leads to exhaustion and grumpiness. So don’t be that guy… 

​There you have it. Some dad wisdom straight from the trenches of fatherhood. Stay strong, stay present, and know that occasional bouts of chaos and cringing dad jokes are all part of the gig. Your kids wouldn’t want it any other way! 

Happy Father’s Day!

Tim Shurr

*If you’re a therapist, life coach, or healer and searching for the best way to grow your private practice, schedule a call with me here:  https://TimShurr.as.me/discoverycall

*If you’re ready to escape the anxiety and trauma that has been holding you back, schedule a free hypnosis telephone consultation:  https://timshurr.as.me/hypnosis

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By tim hurr July 17, 2025
If you have been a realtor or a business owner over the last three decades, you’ve likely heard of Tom Hopkins . He’s one of the most successful sales trainers of all time. Tom dropped out of college at 19 and got into real estate. His first mentor took him to a California neighborhood three miles from the office and left him there. He said, “Tom, business isn’t going to come to you. You need to go to it. Knock on one hundred doors and you’ll end up with a qualified customer.” Tom hated knocking on strangers’ doors and didn’t even know what to say. But he did it anyway (because that’s what champions do), and after knocking on the 64th door, he got a customer and his first listing. He took great care of that couple who listed their home. Later, they would say that Tom was an answer to their prayers. Tom let everyone in that neighborhood know he was the realtor who sold that house, but building a business is typically slow and painful. Over the next four years, Tom worked his backside off. He was the first to go into the office and the last to leave. He networked with everyone who would talk with him and created relationships with the most successful realtors in town so he could learn from them. Tom believes that having mentors is an essential key to success. Eventually, Tom figured out his CHAMPIONS formula, which allowed him to sell 365 homes in one year, a record at the time. He decided to teach his formula to others, and over forty years, five million people attended his lectures. In 2022, when I launched my third “Legends Summit,” Tom came out of retirement to speak at the event. I also had the privilege of receiving a one-on-one lesson from him on what being a champion means. That conversation was thrilling, and now, Lesson 7 in my One Belief Away Wealth Mindset course. Tom’s CHAMPIONS acronym has guided millions to sales success, and I’m sharing it with you now: C – Courageous: Do what you fear most. H – Honesty: Be honest in all your communications. A – Attitude: Your daily attitude determines your altitude. M – Motivated: Stay motivated and excited, especially during tough times. P – Persistent: Be a persistent ‘follow-up specialist.’ I – Integrity: Treat everyone how you would like to be treated. O – Ownership: Own and believe in the products or services you sell. N – Nonjudgmental: Avoid making quick judgments about clients based on appearances. S – Service: Focus on serving others rather than simply selling to them. As I edited the transcript of my conversation with Tom, I was struck by how relevant his advice remains today. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, these insights will significantly elevate your success in sales, marketing, business, and life. What’s unique about my Wealth Mindset program is that I take the best insights and strategies and transform them into “instructions for your brain to follow” through my unique hypnosis process. Each month, I take a legendary interview and turn it into a hypnosis “brain software” program. This program helps you download these successful attributes directly into your subconscious mind. As Tom says, “Your attitude determines your altitude!” Part of my legacy will be leaving behind a set of instructions, a “mental blueprint” for reaching your full potential by capturing the best success tips straight from personal development ICONS. I’ve already been sharing these strategies with my teenage boys, and their successes are impressive and far beyond anything I accomplished at that age. Even if you feel you’ve got things covered, consider sharing this timeless wisdom with your kids. Tom says, “We have to be fanatical about teaching young folks what’s made us successful in life and then get them to pass along what they learn as well.” I totally agree. Here’s to becoming a CHAMPION for you and your family. Tim Shurr, MA P.S. Not a member yet? Start your FREE 30-day trial here ! Your future CHAMPION self will thank you…
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