20 life lessons every father must teach his son

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1. Self-Respect is paramount

Without self-respect, nothing else in life is possible. Discipline, integrity, work ethic, values: they're all made possible through self-respect. Guide your actions with the question “What would a self-respecting man do?” Then do that thing.

2. Everything must be earned

You are owed nothing. The world will rightly treat you as such. You must believe you are capable, and you must believe you WILL achieve your goals. But you must never rely on others to do the work for you. If you don't earn it, it isn't really yours.

3. People are ultimately self-interested

People will behave in whatever way is most expedient for them. It isn’t right or wrong, it’s just true. People want their problems solved, and they want to feel good. Give them those things and you’ll never be wanting.

4. Compounding powers the world

Success is the result of your daily actions. The effort you put in today, whatever the endeavor, will build on itself over time. Investment, strength, knowledge, the rules are the same: 1% of 100 is much less than 1% of 1,000,000.

20 more life lessons a father must teach his son

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1. Your freedom begins the day you realize nobody is coming to save you

Your life is completely in your own hands. And that’s what makes life beautiful. Internalize the fact that your success is your responsibility alone. Because independence is freedom, and freedom is power.

2. Self-discipline unlocks the world

To master the world, master yourself. Success requires consistent effort. And consistent effort is impossible without self-discipline. Discipline is your hedge against failed motivation. Do the hard thing, especially when you don't want to.

3. Leaders don’t ask for permission

Leadership isn’t negotiated. A leader who begs for compliance is a leader in name only. Assume responsibility. Do what must be done. Do it competently. People will follow your vision because you attract them. Not because you chase them.

4. Be wary of the herd

In nature, the herd is usually running from danger. In humans, the herd is usually running toward it. If you never depart from the herd, you will always be following someone else’s path. Leadership means having the courage to change direction.

A great father is a great teacher

Here are five critical thinking skills you must master, so you can one day teach them to your kids

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1. Pattern recognition

Figuring out “what things have in common”

Our brains are pattern recognition machines. We constantly analyze the similarities between people, events, and scenarios to make decisions. Pattern recognition is how we deduce danger. It's also how we prosper.

1a. Pattern recognition

Example exercise:

Say your son loves baseball. Ask: what do all the great hitters have in common? What do they all do the same? What do they do differently? When does a manager usually come out to the pitcher’s mound? Why do you think that is?

2. Reverse engineering

Figuring out “what’s required”

It’s nearly impossible to create anything if you can’t first picture it in your mind. Effective thinkers begin with the result in mind and work backward to determine what steps they need to take. The whole informs the parts.

2a. Reverse engineering

Example exercise:

Say you’re building a birdhouse. Before you begin, ask: what will we need to DO to build this birdhouse? What materials might we need? How will we get them? What instructions might we need? How will we find them? What comes first? Why?

101 skills for a father to teach his son:

1. How to make a fire
2. How to grill meat
3. How to cook on a stove
4. How to create a budget
5. Basic knot tying
6. Basic woodworking
7. Basic firearm safety
8. How to throw a punch
9. How to take a punch
10. Basic boxing strategy
11. How to change a tire
12. Basic gardening

13. How to change oil in a car
14. How to play chess
15. How to play poker
16. Basic first aid
17. How to pitch a tent
18. How to speak in public
19. How to summarize a book
20. How to map a family tree
21. Basic dining etiquette
22. How to iron clothes
23. How to mow the lawn

24. How to read a map
25. How to be a polite guest
26. How to talk to a girl
27. Where to go on a first date
28. What to do on a first date
29. How to speak to a girl's parents
30. How to make small talk
31. How to make deep talk
32. How to pump gas
33. How to freestyle swim

34. How to use a credit card
35. How to dress for an occasion
36. How to write a resume
37. How to write in cursive
38. How to wrap a gift
39. How to write a thank you note
40. How to think critically
41. How to reverse engineer concepts
42. How to make inferences