The Family Power Move: How Dinner Time Became Our Secret to Personal Growth

Why Family Dinner Isn't Just for Parents—It’s for Your Future

Here’s the tea—life as a digital nomad or a hustling professional is busy. We’ve got deadlines, side hustles, and constantly checking our inbox. So, you know what gets pushed to the back burner? Relationships. And, no, I’m not just talking about your BFF or your partner—I'm talking about the fam. Yeah, the people you’re working so hard to build a future for.

Now, before you start scrolling to the next thing, hear me out. I’m about to drop some knowledge that could change how you see your home life, your personal growth, and your entire mindset.

Back in the day (let’s say December 2010), life was a blur. We were grinding away at our careers, barely checking in with each other. My son, Doctor, had just graduated from preschool, and little Mr. Chairman was ready to start playschool. It was easy to delegate their care to the grandparents and the nanny, right? But something clicked. We realized that, while we were busy chasing success, we were missing out on something priceless—our own kids.

So, Zeenie and I decided to flip the script. We didn’t want to be those parents who just 'checked the box' on raising kids. We wanted something sustainable, something that would lay the foundation for real growth, not just in them but in us too.

Here’s what we did:

1. The School Pick-Up Hack
We found a school that was the vibe—a place that was small, innovative, and offered something we couldn’t get anywhere else. It wasn’t just about grades; it was about cultivating minds that could change the world. We didn’t want our boys to be just part of the system—we wanted them to break it.

2. Table Talks That Actually Matter
We flipped our home culture with one small move: no devices at the dinner table. Sounds wild in 2024, right? But trust me, this one decision was a game-changer. Our smartphones were banned. The TV was off. And suddenly, it was just us—connecting. We talked about everything from big ideas like entrepreneurship to little things like the best superhero (Doctor was all about Spiderman).

3. Word Games + Knowledge Drops
Here’s where it gets fun—while we broke bread, we also broke out the books. Not your regular bedtime reads, though. We dug into everything from Money 101 to stories of heroes overcoming odds. Every dinner was a chance to level up, both in knowledge and vocabulary. Doctor came up with “facetious” one night (yes, it’s a real word, and no, I didn’t know it either). By the end of the year, we’d learned over 200 new words. Vocabulary is power, and this was our secret weapon.

4. Nutrition for Mind + Body
Food wasn’t just food. It was fuel for our body and our minds. Simple swaps—brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, and even better water habits—were the foundation of this change. And the game-changer? Our '1/3 formula'. One-third food, one-third water, one-third air (aka breathing deeply while chewing). Try it. It’ll change your digestion and your mindset.

5. Real Conversations, Real Connections
We didn’t just eat together. We connected. We shared highs and lows, goals, and thoughts. Over time, we learned who our kids’ real friends were, what made them tick, what made them scared. This was the kind of deep connection that made us grow—not just as a family, but as individuals too. We started seeing the magic of what happens when you’re intentional about your time together.

And guess what? The process worked. By the end of 2011, we were a closer, more connected family. But there was one more thing that blew us away: Doctor, out of nowhere, asked if he could read at the dinner table. Boom—the baton had been passed. And it wasn’t just reading—it was about him stepping up as the leader in his own life.

One month later, with a microphone we picked up at the mall (thanks, Grandma), Doctor practiced his school speech at the dinner table like a true orator. By the time the big day came? He owned that stage, delivering his speech with confidence and finesse.

The Takeaway for You

Here’s the kicker—building your legacy starts now. Whether you’re a digital nomad juggling work from Bali, a professional climbing the career ladder, or someone in transition figuring out what’s next, your mindset matters. And the key to building a sustainable mindset? Relationships.

Start by fostering meaningful connections at home. When you make your personal growth a priority—and include your family in that process—you create a foundation that leads to bigger wins, both personally and professionally. It’s not just about money or fame—it’s about creating a life that’s meaningful and built for the long run.

So, next time you sit down for a meal, think about this: what would happen if you made that time the most powerful part of your day?

Ready to take your personal growth to the next level? Start by changing the small things. We’ve got you covered. Let's build that legacy together.

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