Toddler Wisdom (Part 2)…

Hello friends! Thank you for coming back for Part 2. If you missed Part 1, please click HERE and take a look at the first 5 things I’ve learned from observing my grandkids, specifically my three-year-old grandson who I was blessed to spend the day with last week.

Since that time, I have been able to see my grandkids multiple times as we had visiting family in town, which offered even more opportunities to get together.

Now, I had prepared lessons 6 through 10 in advance, but I was able to substantiate them and the previous lessons with this extended amount of time I had with these kids.

During the interactions over the last week, I was able to observe them in their natural element of just being kids and just being in the moment. Oh, how I wish I could learn to be just in the moment like them.

At one point, my youngest granddaughter (who’s just a year old) was not feeling well and snuggled up on my chest (lessons 4-5) as I was sitting on a recliner and she placed her head down and fell asleep. The moment was priceless. She let her feelings be known: She wanted Pop.  She crawled up on me where she felt safe and could rest (lesson 3).

I could mention so many other examples of my experiences with these children but I think you get the point. A good friend of mine commented in my last blog post “Kids really are tiny Zen masters, aren’t they? The way they live fully in the moment, feel their feelings, and celebrate everything—it’s the kind of wisdom we forget as grown-ups.”  This is so true. They only know what they know and courageously act upon that information.

If only I would have immediately acted on information in my past instead of delaying our procrastinating.  Things might have been a little bit different or I may have progressed a little faster…or not. Who knows? I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t want to miss opportunities because I let myself and my perceptions get in the way of infinite possibilities. Wow, that was a little deep so let’s just get back to our list of things that I have learned from my grandchildren.

I’m starting with 6 because I covered the first 5 last time.

6. Be curious even about the obvious. Toddlers ask “why?” about everything. Constant curiosity helps them learn faster than any adult ever could. Lesson: Stay curious in your business. Ask questions, explore trends, and never assume you know it all.
7. Fall down seven times, get up eight. Toddlers fall constantly off beds, curbs, chairs but they get back up without thinking twice. Lesson: Resilience is a superpower in business. Fail fast, learn faster.
8. Be fully in the moment. When toddlers are playing, laughing, crying, or cuddling they’re all in. No multitasking, no distractions. Lesson: When you’re creating, serving clients, or building be present. That’s where impact (and joy) lives.
9. Laugh often, even when nothing makes sense. Toddlers giggle at dogs sneezing, cereal spills, or nothing at all. They don’t wait for a “reason” to be happy. Lesson: Don’t take yourself (or your business) too seriously. Laughter builds connection and relieves pressure.
10. Use what you’ve got. Give a toddler a cardboard box and they’ll build a rocket ship or a race car. They’re creative with whatever’s in front of them. Lesson: Stop waiting for the perfect tools or timing. Start where you are with what you have.

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

As with the list last week, let’s see how these apply to business:

6. Stay curious even when you think you know. Business Lesson: Keep your curiosity alive in business. Ask questions, explore new ideas, and keep learning. Curiosity drives innovation and growth.
7. Fall often. Get up faster. Business Lesson: Failure is part of entrepreneurship. Don’t fear it or get stuck. Stand up, adjust, and keep pushing forward.
8. Be all in. Business Lesson: Your best work happens when you are focused and engaged. Being present shows in your products, service, and content. Your customers notice.
9. Laugh early, laugh often. Business Lesson: Don’t take your business (or yourself) too seriously. Inject humor and joy into your brand and process. It builds connection and eases stress.
10. Use what you’ve got. Business Lesson: Don’t wait for perfect tools or ideal timing. Start where you are with what you have. Creativity and progress come from resourcefulness.

As I continue to watch my grandchildren develop, my love for them grows. And now, my appreciation for them also grows. I am learning to look for wisdom in the most unusual places and even in the midst of chaos.

My second grandson was playing with his Legos. He absolutely loves his Legos and he loves his cars. He brought his latest creation to me and asked me if I loved it. I honestly didn’t know what it was. I, of course, said “yes it’s amazing!” But then I asked him to explain to me how he came up with this “thing.” In our conversation it’s slowly came to me that he built a car out of these Legos.

But what was more astounding was that in his explanation of his creation I truly started to see the car from his point of view and from his eyes and not just from my narrow-minded perspective. How could I have missed it… it was obviously a car.

I’m still learning.  This last little nugget reminded me to try to see things through other’s eyes and not just stay focused on what’s in front of me but on the possibilities of what is all around.

My grandkids are the best and I can’t wait for the next time I can be with them. Not just to learn from them, because that’s going to happen naturally, but to be present in their lives.

“You can observe a lot just by watching.” — Yogi Berra”

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” — Socrates

And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:

Toddler Windom: Why is the sky blue? Because if it were green, we wouldn’t know where to stop mowing!

I told my child I was going to the gym. She said, “Why? Are they giving out snacks?”

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.