Episode 248 - Act 4 - Connect and Renew - Strengthen What Strengthens You As A Dad

Connect and Renew — Strengthen What Strengthens You

Build a Challenge Network. Compliments feel good, but they don’t help you grow. Honest feedback does. Psychologist Adam Grant suggests creating a small group of people who care enough to tell you the truth. Ask better questions like, “What’s one thing I could do better?” Try a weekly Feedback Friday: send one piece of work to someone you trust and ask for one suggestion to improve it. Two or three honest critics are enough to keep you sharp and improving.

Your relationships shape your habits and mindset. Research shows emotions and behaviors — good and bad — spread through social networks. Don’t just drift into connections; choose them.

Build a balanced circle with three key people:

1. A Challenger who pushes you and speaks honestly.
2. A Cheerleader who believes in you and lifts you up.
3. A Coach who’s a bit ahead of you and offers guidance.

Stay close to people who energize and motivate you.

Growth isn’t just about adding more; it’s also about stopping what doesn’t matter. Each quarter, ask yourself, “What’s not worth my time?” Drop one commitment, meeting, or project that adds little value. Removing low-impact tasks frees your time and focus for what truly counts.

Balance movement with stillness. A micro sabbath is a short daily pause — 10 to 15 minutes with no phone, no screens, and no tasks. Just breathe, sit quietly, or step outside. These moments restore your mind, reduce stress, and help creativity return. It’s maintenance, not laziness.

Gratitude strengthens relationships and boosts happiness. Studies show writing thank-you notes increases life satisfaction and reduces stress. This year, send 26 notes — one every two weeks. Keep them short, sincere, and specific. Gratitude lifts your mood and deepens connections.

Pick two or three of these ideas to focus on. A better year doesn’t just happen — you create it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q10H5RA3eCA

Daniel's free workbook - https://www.danpink.com/workbook

Playlist Link:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC2syoh-4I8L-mOMkJ_kNJgZgHB3G3sFZ

https://www.danpink.com/

___

https://dadspace.ca

music provided by Blue Dot Sessions

Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270

Episode 247 - Act 3 - The Motivated Dad - Finding the source of what keeps us going as a Dad

In this third act of a four-part series inspired by Daniel Pink's insightful video on planning for 2026 (link in show notes), host Dave dives into motivation and becoming a more intentional dad this year. Drawing from Pink's framework, Dave reframes it specifically for fathers, urging us to adjust our inner operating system and embrace discomfort as a path to growth.

Dave highlights the "85% rule": aim for goals where you succeed eight or nine times out of ten—not too easy, but with room for challenge and learning. Pick just one priority for 2026 instead of overwhelming yourself with dozens. Redefine discomfort—like the uncertainties of fatherhood—as on-the-job learning opportunities. He shares his own stretch: committing to 365 daily episodes on The How To Podcast Series, including a grueling 24-hour marathon recording on February 13-14.

Practical tips include designing friction wisely (e.g., delete a distracting app to reclaim time), making public promises to one accountable person (avoid over-sharing on social to prevent backlash), and tracking small wins with victory laps to build momentum. Like a river finding the path of least resistance, streamline your life to create space for what matters.

Dave emphasizes sustainable growth over grand gestures. Big year-end goals often lead to burnout; tiny, consistent actions create rhythm and forward momentum for your family and self.

Key Takeaway: Invest in yourself as a dad this year—be a little selfish with your growth. Watch Daniel Pink's video multiple times, grab his free workbook, and pick one intentional goal. Small systems beat big dreams every time.

Design Your Best Year Ever: A Science-Backed System for 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q10H5RA3eCA

Daniel's free workbook - https://www.danpink.com/workbook

Playlist Link:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC2syoh-4I8L-mOMkJ_kNJgZgHB3G3sFZ

https://www.danpink.com/

___

https://dadspace.ca

music provided by Blue Dot Sessions

Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270

Episode 246 - Act 2 - The Structured Dad - Some effective tools to structure your year

In this episode of Dad Space, host Dave dives into Act 2 of Daniel Pink's insightful 2026 video on preparing for a great new year, adapting its lessons specifically for dads. Even though we're into February, Dave stresses it's never too late to implement changes that reclaim time and intention as fathers. He urges listeners to watch the 26-minute video (link in show notes) first, then return to apply these tools through a dad's lens, moving beyond vague resolutions to practical structure.

Dave spotlights protecting the first hour of your day when your brain is most impressionable, setting the tone for everything else. Instead of defaulting to work emails, dedicate this sacred time to what matters most, like journaling, reading, meditating, praying, exercising, or walking, stacking up 365 hours of priority investment by year's end. He introduces the two-minute rule: tackle any task taking two minutes or less immediately, from washing a dish to picking up toys or clearing mail, preventing small clutters from snowballing into overwhelm and freeing mental space.

For work-life boundaries, Dave advocates a deliberate week-ending shutdown ritual by Friday afternoon (or whenever your workweek closes), giving your brain permission to rest and making Mondays a fresh launch rather than a shock. Pair this with a 15-minute Sunday reset: review your calendar, prioritize essentials, shift non-urgents, and note goals to shift from reactive chaos to intentional leadership, especially vital for unpredictable dad life.

Drawing parallels to a chef's organized kitchen or a dentist's seamless tool handoff, he encourages prepping the night before, like laying out gym clothes or clearing your desk, creating paths of least resistance toward your goals. Daily walks emerge as a simple mood reset, clearing mental fog and sparking creativity.

Dave warns against rigid over-structuring that stresses when life deviates, but for most dads lacking any framework, these tools combat tail-chasing overwhelm that leads to giving up. Watch Pink's video multiple times, extract dad-applicable gems, and tune in next for Act 3.

Key takeaway: Structure isn't about perfection; it's reclaiming control so you show up intentionally for your family, turning 2026 into a year of real change.

Design Your Best Year Ever: A Science-Backed System for 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q10H5RA3eCA

Daniel's free workbook - https://www.danpink.com/workbook

Playlist Link:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC2syoh-4I8L-mOMkJ_kNJgZgHB3G3sFZ

https://www.danpink.com/

___

https://dadspace.ca

music provided by Blue Dot Sessions

Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270