You’re so smart. What does that mean? Or when one commits to being as smart as they can, what does that look like? In our next video in the Raising an Ace series, Mariam and I discuss these questions specifically in the context of raising our little boy Ace. The content is deep and comprehensive, sort of like parenting itself. So for those watching, enter with an open mindset prepared to internally reflect & digest the information.

• Defining Smart (00:50) – Controllable Aspects of “Smart” (1:18) – Tactics for Babies (02:18) – Recognize Importance of 1st Years (03:40) – Propel Child’s Passions (4:10) – Tell Inspirational Stories (4:45) – Go the Extra Mile (05:40) – Raise the Bar (06:12) – Kings’ & Queens’ Company (7:10) – Prioritize Internal Drive (07:23) – Ace the Darkness (8:18) – Pride in the Process (08:50) – Delaying Gratification (9:50) – Marshmallow Experiment Message (10:10) – Money as Teaching Tool (11:26) – Adopting a Growth Mindset (12:31) – Destroy Self-Defeating Mentalities (13:30) – Humble Yourself (14:20) – Child’s Own Growth as Teacher (14:50) – Learning Never Stops (16:00) – Encourage Questions (17:36) – Productive Internet Use (18:02) – Motivate Child Creatively (18:34) – Wisdom from Mistakes (19:46) – Playful Parenting (20:16) – Balance: Authenticity & Sharing Knowledge (21:05) – Value Social Intelligence (21:50) – To You: Step Up (23:40) – Recognizing Power (24:05)

As every person gets older, he or she ideally would learn and manifest a very simple, but deep, concept of distinguishing what can be controlled and what can’t – And solely focusing on what you have power over. Too many people grasp this lesson very shallowly or never learn it at all. One’s ability to retain information, one’s unique DNA gifts passed along generations, your IQ, etc. – You have very little control over. Pay those things no mind. Instead, focus on cultivating a growth mindset, learning from your experiences and mistakes, being a sponge to new information, asking questions to learn, being internally driven to know as much as you can about what you’re passionate about, and developing your social intelligence. 

Those aspects create a smart individual, and there is no excuse for parents to raise children without those concepts ingrained in the parenting. Don’t use the fact that you weren’t raised to be “smart” that way; alter the cycle and be a true learner yourself to be the best parent you can be. Understand that you know nothing. Just like I know nothing – and how everybody knows nothing, in relation to the trillions and trillions of information, history, facts, ideas, & different perspectives out there. Knowing that you know just that – nothing – is the wisdom you need to propel yourself to be the best parent and person you can be. The growing never stops; living that is the ultimate version of being smart.