When I was a kid I grew up in a small town with both parents that worked full time, this meant I was headed to work with dad. Since I was 7 years old I would go with my dad, the town's plumber/handyman, after school and on the weekends. He showed me how to figure the materials we would need for a job, figure how much we would charge, and to build rapport with customers.

When we would take on jobs that we normally wouldn't do I would ask, "Dad, have your ever done this before?" His answer was always the same, "This and one more will make two."

I recently had to give a speech in front of 1000+ people. I was running on 3-hrs of sleep, two of my flights were delayed, and hadn't eaten all day. While waiting to go on stage, I was complaining to myself about the day I had been through and the fact that I hadn't had time to practice my speech. Then my dad's words came to me. I laughed and went on stage.

My dad was teaching me to always take challenges and don't look at them any different. They are just another task to complete, another goal to accomplish, or another experience that shapes you.