MAKING BREAD
“Dad, can you get dry yeast?”
Was the text I received from Anthony the other day when I texted him to ask if he needed anything from the grocery store.
An 11-year-old asking for Dry Yeast? An unusual request to say the least. But Anthony has always marched to his own tune. He was reading at the age of 2 and he taught himself. The conversations that you have with Anthony are the same conversations you’d have with an adult. He’s unique in that sense. Now yes, he likes to play Fortnight. He enjoys hanging with his soccer teammates. He enjoys being a kid. But he likes planning and LOVES structure.
Some things with him you don’t question. Like needing Dry Yeast.
I get home with Dry Yeast and ask him, “Buddy whatcha need that for?”
“Oh, I’m gonna make bread today. I searched it on my phone. First, I gotta… and let it sit for 3-5 hours. Then I gotta… And then I cook it for x. Then I will have bread”
Atleast that’s how I heard it. He gave me all the details and steps, but those details are not my strong suit. With Anthony they are.
He can study something. He can research. Then he can implement. He’s self-taught.
He started in the morning, went out and played 4 soccer games and then returned to finish his bread. The finished product is the picture above.
Literally from scratch! No bread maker. No molds. Nothing! He researched and wanted to make bread and he did it! I, in 42 years, LOVE to cook but I have never attempted to make bread!
And guess what? It was Yummy!
One of the things I have found after interviewing 150+ Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, and Thought Leaders on Frederick Advice Givers is that those individuals that are successful first they are PROBLEM SOLVERS! See in life, in business, in marriage, in relationships there are always bumps in the road. But those that succeed they have a unique ability to ‘think on their feet,’ they can ‘problem solve.’
Do you have that ability?
Anthony at age 11 was able to problem solve. Was able to research and implement a ‘plan’ for making bread and he was successful! That, to me, will take him further in life than the Straight A’s he received all 4 Quarters of 6th grade (which is more discipline than anything). If you combine discipline with the ability to be an elite problem solver that is a formula for success.
Everyday his Dad is a problem solver. See, in real estate, there are 8 million issues on each transaction that need to be overcome. But I don’t have that unique discipline that Anthony does. If I did I would be able to be much more successful in life and in business.
Son, I’m proud of you!
Keep that discipline and keep that thirst for life and knowledge and you will go far!