How To Be A Role Model of Self Determination

One of the best things that you can do as a parent is simple, become a role model. BY living your life in a positive manner, you can enrich the life of your children for the rest of their lives. Instead of focusing on the old adage of, “do as I say, not as I do”, you can show them how to live fruitful, powerful lives by the way that you choose to live yours. Kids will emulate their parents, especially the bad habits that may not be empowering for them. With that in mind, consider the following steps to help become a role model with focus on self determination today.

Get Things Done – Time Management

The first way to start on this quest is to get things done from the moment you get up to the moment you go to sleep. Show children how to manage their time. That includes not hitting the snooze button, but instead getting up at the alarm, and fighting through fatigue. Show them that you may not like waking up early and getting your day started, but you fight through it. Don’t become lax here, fight through it knowing that they are going to emulate you. Set up a to-do list and slowly cross things out as you go through and show children that they can do the same. At the end of the day, compare lists, and you’ll be able to show that you go through ups and downs, but you keep pressing forward.

Never Stop Learning – Take A Class

Show children that adulthood doesn’t mean that you don’t learn new things. Take a class, experience something new, and showcase a bit of struggle. Let them know that it’s ok to do hard things, and progress slowly. When stumped, consider taking up something that involves visual progression. For instance, take an art class, or learn how to play an instrument. Show that you are capable to struggle and success through the learning process and they will have an illustrated way of knowing that they are not alone in their own struggles with learning at school, and in other areas.

Eat Right and Exercise

The last way to become a role model of self determination is to keep healthy. This is a real life struggle for a grand majority of people. Make sure that you highlight the importance of this simple daily task. By working on the discipline that it takes to work out, eat right, and maintain weight, you are going to exemplify healthy living. It is important to highlight good habits, and this is one that may seem easy on paper, but many parents struggle with. Managing time, pursuing good health, and succeeding in this will definitely prove beneficial in both the short, and long term.

These are just starting points in regards to becoming a better role model. It’s easy to rest on laurels, go through motions, and try to just coast. Shake things up and find new ways to change yourself, your routine, because children are no doubt watching and shaping their lives alongside yours.