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How Will I Measure My Life and Success?
- Jeff Hamilton
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Gordy Stead
I was fortunate to have had a close relationship with my father. Unfortunately, that relationship ended too soon due to his battle with cancer. The lessons he taught me have profoundly shaped the father, husband, and person I am today. I am forever grateful for the values he instilled in me—having a strong moral compass, being selfless, and maintaining a positive attitude.
My dad was a man of principle. He had an unwavering sense of right and wrong—there was no middle ground. He also had a generous heart, always valuing others and leading with kindness. There was never a doubt in my mind about how much he cared for me and those around him. At the same time, he had high expectations. He made it clear that a good attitude and maximum effort were non-negotiable. Looking back, I see how much those expectations shaped me.
As a father of four, one of my biggest challenges has been balancing my time and resources on the "right" things. Life is full of distractions, and every year it seems like there are more. To keep myself focused, I constantly ask two questions: 1. How will I measure my life and success? 2. Who will be sitting next to me in my rocking chair when I’m older? Having answers to these questions helps me prioritize what truly matters.
Losing my dad at 25 meant that I haven’t had a father figure in my adult life. That has been a struggle, especially as a young father myself. There are so many moments when I wish I had someone to turn to for advice—someone I could trust, who had been through it all before.
Dad Academy gave me the structure and motivation to be more intentional in my approach to fatherhood. It’s easy to dream about the kind of father you want to be; the hard part is executing that vision. Creating my Dad Plan helped me develop a concrete action plan and hold myself accountable. More than anything, it reminded me of the incredible impact I can have on my kids. God has given me the blessing of being a father, and I want to make the most of it.
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