1 QUOTE

“John and Becky, this is my life’s work. Make it better. Make leaders!”

- Dr. J. Robert Clinton

1 NOTE

From a young age, my Mom taught me to read books and write reports. I had a habit of sitting down, reading a book, then pulling out a single sheet of paper and writing what I learned. I did this almost every day. At the end of my kindergarten year, my teacher created an award for my book report collection. My mom, a second grade teacher at the same Los Angeles public school for 45 years, beamed ear to ear when I received my certificate. Little did I know book reports were a marker for future adult success.

Childhood psychologist Lisa Damour writes extensively on childhood development. What are the traits in children that predict adult fulfillment? I would have thought the driving factors would involve childhood happiness. But the primary predictor is childhood conscientiousness. A conscientious person is someone who wishes to do right, especially the quality of one’s work being excellent and thorough. Conscientious children, who are responsible, organized, self- disciplined and have a strong work ethic are far more likely to do well in life than their careless, undisciplined, unorganized peers. 

For those of us with children, are we helping our children (from toddler to teen) take initiative, create orderly plans, execute in a timely fashion, and learn from their experiences? Our children must learn to own the creative process in their projects and persevere until the finish line. Otherwise, they will find themselves in the pit of easy distraction, endless scrolling, weak discipline and careless work. These concepts take on eternal importance as we consider faith, Jesus, and living for the Kingdom of God.

On May 8, 2025, I was commissioned by my friend Richard Clinton to write a next generation version of his father’s classic book The Making of a Leader. On June 1, I created the outline and gave myself the deadline of September 30. This summer, I organized twenty years of materials, re-read books, and conducted countless interviews. I hit walls, faced confusion, and fended off spiritual oppression. But God has been my help. I worked hard, learned a ton, and persevered to stay on schedule. This morning, I finished the first draft of Finishing Well: Think in Decades, Act in Days.

I really miss my Mom. I wish she was here with me today. If only I could see her smile ear-to-ear just one more time.

1 QUESTION

Are you industrious, orderly, and self-controlled? Are you helping the children in your family and social network, develop the childhood precursor of adult wellbeing, especially in their faith and discipleship?

Until Next Tuesday,

John