Toddler Wisdom (Part 1) …

I’ll be honest, I was having a difficult time choosing what to blog about this week. Ohh, I have plenty ideas and I have a list of things to discuss and thoughts to share about starting and maintaining an online business. But I was having a lot of trouble deciding which one to talk about this week. Until I remembered the valuable day I spent with a special little boy last week. Please follow along as the lessons I learned from a 3-year-old are gold!

I blogged about this little boy in my second ever blog post ever over a year and a half ago. Click here if you are interested in hearing the lesson I learned from him at that time. 😊 And stay tuned to discover the lessons I continue to learn from this young, but wise, little guy!

This will be a 2-part series as there is way too much in here to gloss over when imparting the wisdom from my grandchildren. Young kids are a lot smarter than we give them credit for and they teach us more than we will ever know if we are just patient and open to watch, listen and learn from them.

I finished up my morning routine this past Tuesday and completed my business-related tasks early as my wife and me had a very important appointment to keep. We are incredibly blessed that we live close to our 4 grandchildren and we get to see them quite often. I’ve mentioned them several times in these blogs and it should be no surprise that I am one very proud Pop (my name that my grandkids call me).

While we see them all together several times a week, my wife and I have started a tradition of spending one-on-one time with each of them.

This week we spent time with my 3^rd grandchild. That kid, like most kids, is perfectly content with going to a playground and running around while my wife and I try to keep up with that active 3-year-old. This time, we decided to visit a local outdoor store so that he could look at all the boats, fishing equipment, camping gear and off-terrain vehicles. No schedule. No agenda. Simply an opportunity to allow a curious little boy to wander and look at all the amazing things that caught his eye. Afterwards, we found an empty dirt parking lot where we did several figure 8 “doughnuts” in my jeep and then we went and got a smoothie. It was a perfect “date!”

I got home and reflected upon my time with him and realized the gift I received by spending time with him.

Here is what I learned today and every day when I spend time with my grandchildren:

1. Everything is a big deal…and that’s okay. You know what’s exciting to a toddler? A bug. A balloon. A napkin with a smiley face on it. They don’t wait for “someday” to be amazed — they’re in awe right now. As adults, we scroll past joy like it’s background noise. But kids? They celebrate everything. Lesson: There’s magic in the mundane — if we’re looking.
2. Compassion and forgiveness come naturally. Ever seen two toddlers fight over a toy, burst into tears, then be best friends five minutes later like nothing happened? They don’t stew. They don’t carry grudges. They feel it, express it, and move on. Adults could use a crash course in this. Lesson: Don’t let grown-up pride rob you of peace.
3. You don’t have to earn rest. Toddlers will fall asleep mid-sentence, mid-bite, or mid-couch-jump — because their body says “rest,” and they listen. As adults, we act like we need a permission from someone, or even ourselves, before we take a nap or a day off. Lesson: Rest isn’t a reward — it’s a requirement.
4. Love is unconditional. No matter how messy the room is, how many rules got broken, or how big the tantrum was — when they climb into your lap and throw their arms around your neck, it’s pure love. No strings. No conditions. Kids don’t keep score. They don’t need you to be perfect. They just need you to show up. Lesson: Real love doesn’t wait for you to “deserve” it — it just gives. 
5. Ask for what you want — boldly. Toddlers ask for what they want loudly and clearly — a cookie, a hug, or to be picked up. They don’t hesitate or apologize. They don’t wait for the perfect moment…they just ask. Adults often overthink asking, We often get worried about rejection or how we sound. Lesson: Don’t be shy. Be clear and bold about what you want, because people can’t say yes to what they don’t know you’re asking for.

These little humans with their sticky fingers, endless questions, and ability to lose their minds over a lost toy car are wise in ways beyond their years. They just live. And sometimes, the best thing we can do is slow down, watch them, and learn to be more like them.

So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!

I tend to overcomplicate things and overthink my activity. Even when things come naturally, I still often second-guess myself.  Are you like this from time-to-time? There have been so many times where I know the right course of action and delay for a variety of reasons like procrastination, lack of confidence, wondering what people will think, laziness, etc.

As we learn new things we should be proud and act on this new knowledge. We should be equally proud to share this newfound wisdom.

I’ve mentioned before that my 30+ career has been in Human Resources – I was literally in the PEOPLE business. Much of my job was the observation of behavior.

Since I have been a grandparent, I have made a conscious decision to observe my grandchildren so I can soak in ever aspect of their precious lives.  My one-on-one time with my grandson was no different.  Watching him was an absolute joy and a priceless gift.

Then it hit me…my grandchildren’s natural behaviors are applicable to my business! Duh…how could I have missed this all this time?

So, I took the list from above and applied these traits to behaviors that could benefit my (and possibly your), business.

Pretend this is coming from a business GURU and not children and see if it correlates:

1. Everything is a big deal…and that’s okay. – Business Lesson: Celebrate the small wins in your business. Your first email subscriber, your first sale, or even the fact that you showed up today. These moments matter. Treat them like milestones, and keep your motivation alive.
2. Compassion and forgiveness come naturally. – Business Lesson: Don’t let setbacks linger. Whether it’s a bad review, a failed product, or a mistake, learn the lesson, forgive yourself, and move forward. Growth depends on resilience, not perfection.
3. You don’t have to earn rest. – Business Lesson: Rest is a crucial part of success. It’s not laziness or procrastination.  It’s recharging your creativity and energy. Take breaks when you need to.  Your business (and people around you) will thank you.
4. Love is unconditional. – Business Lesson: Build your business on genuine relationships. Show up for your customers and audience with care, not just when it benefits you. Unconditional service builds loyalty and trust. You get value by giving value.
5. Ask for what you want — boldly. – Business Lesson: Don’t be shy about asking for the sale, pitching your product, or reaching out for help. People can’t say yes to what you don’t clearly ask for. In other words, the answer is always “no” until you ask.

Let me know what you think.  Does this resonate with you? Please come back next week for the conclusion of the wisdom from this little boy.

Now, I’m off to look for the next nugget of wisdom even if it comes from the most unlikely of places.

“Everyone you meet knows something you don’t.” — Bill Nye

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” — Dr. Seuss “

And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:

My daughter handed me a rock and said, “This is for being the best dad.”
I asked, “Why a rock?” She said, “Because you’re old and hard-headed.”

I told my toddler, “Don’t talk with food in your mouth.”He said, “Then stop asking me questions while I’m eating.”

Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!

 

 

 

**If you are curious about this process and wish to know more about an affiliate marketing business, please subscribe to my newsletter here to learn more.  And please continue following my blog.  My hope is not only to create the freedom I so long for but pass on what I have learned to others who have similar aspirations.