⏰ Timeliness is Next to Godliness and Other Life Lessons from Childhood

By
Real Estate Agent with Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 228209

Timeliness is Next to Godliness and
Other Life Lessons from Childhood 

 

First of all, a HUGE thank you to Carol Williams and Anna "Banana" Kruchten for giving us all so much of their time hosting this month’s fun challenge. Reading the entries, I can say that I fit in with the majority of members whose life’s lessons began in early childhood…



In my experience, military families take discipline to a whole new level, compared to civilian families! Trust me, it's a game changer in how you approach life as my parents were no exception - they made us toe the line. If we didn’t, we learned at a very early age, there will be consequences, specific to our actions.

 


 

The ‘military upbringing’  certainly brings the best of both worlds to life by incorporating discipline into a loving home environment. This fusion enriches family life and is especially helpful for children who go through frequent relocations or have parents deployed on active duty.

 

Some principles, commonly found in military households, led me to live the life I do today - both personally and professionally:

  • Be Early, Be Awesome: Punctuality isn't just a rule; it's a lifestyle. Arriving early gives you a head start on success! Remember, if you're early, you're on time; if you're on time, you're late


  • Respect is Golden: Just as in the military, a healthy respect for authority enriches the home environment, nurturing strong relationships. In my professional life, I can say this is HUGE! I met with clients last week who golf with several local agents as well as enjoying country club events with other agents & their families. They said every agent they have met knows me and respects me. That respect has helped win bidding wars for my clients on numerous occasions!

  • Unified in Action: From how you fold your clothes to how you make your bed to your overall appearance, uniformity creates a sense of cohesion and pride. In business, it’s setting processes - tweaking them as needed and implementing them 100% of the time.

  • Own Your Actions: Accountability is a virtue. Making a mistake is a chance to grow, not something to hide from. If you make a mistake, OWN IT!


    small details

  • Attention to Detail: Precision helps in everything from chores to school work as children to business as adults, boosting quality and satisfaction in all that you do.

  • Stand Tall, Stand Proud: Good posture isn't just for show; it exudes confidence and positivity. My parents said, “Whether you know it or not, the habits you are developing now will be with you for the rest of your life.” Wouldn’t you know it, that’s something John Wooden has also been credited as saying!

  • Stay Sharp and Ready: Being aware of your surroundings and having a game plan is a skill that helps both young and old. Being ‘in the moment’ or present, coupled with actively listening is a recipe for learning. It helps in both personal and professional relationships.





  • Fit Body, Fit Mind: When my Dad was enlisted, physical exercise was a family affair for us. Personally, exercise offers benefits of better health and greater unity. Physical exercise clears the cobwebs from the mind in adulthood as well - for me, that is great for business; clarity helps us be better negotiators and businessmen and women.

  • Be True to Your Word: Living by principles of honor and integrity not only feels good but also sets a great example, whether it be in childhood or adulthood. As for my business, my word is absolutely my bond!

  • Speak Clearly, Act Wisely:  Effective communication is the cornerstone of any strong military family, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. With regards to business, like respect, communication has also won more bidding wars for my clients than I can count!

    Asking others how they prefer to communicate is so important - and when you ask, LISTEN to their answer. Some prefer to communicate via text during the day but, have time after work and on weekends to chat by phone - and actually prefer that to texting.


So, I feel as though I am living proof that these military-inspired principles add a positive and effective dimension to a truly positive & fulfilling life!


 

🌟 #PersonalCharacter   🎖️ #MilitaryInspiredValues   
🏃‍♀️💪#FitBodyFitMind  🌟👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 #MilitaryFamily  📚🎯⏳#NextLevelDiscipline 
#Timliness   🇺🇸✈️ #USAirForce   🎩👏 #RESPECT
🏘️ #HomeValues  💼📈  #BusinessPrinciples 

 

 

© Debe Maxwell, CRS | The Maxwell House Group | Savvy + Company | SavvyBroker@me.com | “Timeliness is Next to Godliness” and Other Life Lessons from Childhood

 

 

 

 

Comments (61)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Debe... I wasn't raised in a military family... but I was raised with each and every one of those principles and educated with those principles in Lutheran schools from first grade through 12th grade. The John Wooden quote says it all.

Sep 02, 2023 06:22 AM
Ed (Edward) Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

The more seasoned we are the more common the background. So many of those traits seem to have gotten lost over the years, however.

Sep 02, 2023 08:40 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Debe,

Many people can influence us over our lifetime, but as you stated, our parents have the most significant impact on us, starting at an early age.  You outlined all the fundamental concepts of why you are successful and respected in your personal and business life.  Being on time is exactly how you stated it and affects my first impression of those I meet with.

Sep 02, 2023 09:31 AM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
Tropical Beachside brokered by eXp - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Hi Debe, I'm not from a military family but went to Catholic schools for 16 years and between 12 years of nuns and 4 of Franciscans, we were taught all of those lessons.  Although I don't know if the military could survive the demands and disciplines the nuns handed out! That John Wooden quote is one of my favorites and sums things up very nicely.

 

Sep 02, 2023 09:22 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

It sounds like you had great examples growing up. Exercising together is an excellent way to help shape minds and bodies!  Good for you! 

Sep 03, 2023 10:48 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist! I kept going to individual 'lessons learned' and realized that it all started in childhood!

My dad was visiting last weekend and I shared my post with him - he didn't remember the exercising together until I reminded him about going to the base gym (at a VERY early age) and using their trampoline while he worked out. It's crazy the things we remember from childhood - and I'm certain there are MANY things I don't remember!

Sep 08, 2023 07:10 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

One of our members sent me a book of John Wooden quotes and I find myself opening that book for blogging inspiration! I had seen this quote and thought it was definitely appropriate for the message, Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400. Thank you so much for your kind words!

Sep 08, 2023 07:11 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Marte Cliff! Oh, I'm with you - and they assume no responsibility for their children's misbehavior. I've seen many parents defend their children for actions that mine would have been severely punished. How on EARTH do you teach them anything when you defend their bad behavior? 

Sep 08, 2023 07:13 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

That is absolutely another issue, Marte Cliff - and one that needs to be nipped in the bud because our world is not getting any better the way we are operating now!

Sep 08, 2023 07:20 AM
Marte Cliff

What also concerns me is that perhaps they're learning that bad behavior from the parents - and that it will continue to their kids as well. 

Sep 08, 2023 07:15 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

You're so right, faye schubert! I shared this post with my Dad this weekend and he said the issue is we are so afraid to discipline our children these days. It's true - why we don't, I have no idea but, it's got to change or things are going to get even more out of hand than they are now.

Sep 08, 2023 07:14 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Nina Hollander, Broker! My toughest college professor was raised Catholic and boy, she treated us as those nuns had - and we TOED THE LINE!!  As a young adult, I often said to my friends that she was WAY worse than my military parents!! 

Sep 08, 2023 07:16 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Agreed, Ed (Edward) Silva, 203-206-0754! At some point, I feel we need to do some serious back-tracking and get back to those days. I don't see it happening in our lifetime but, this lackadaisical child-rearing is just not working! 

Sep 08, 2023 07:17 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Thank you for your kind words, Sheri Sperry - MCNE®! And, you're right, we do judge others when they fail to respect our time by showing up late. I've just never understood how others think that is okay! 

Sep 08, 2023 07:19 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Ha, Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate! I remember being in college for nursing. My first professor was raised Catholic and she practiced being the toughest nun on the planet on us! The college wanted to maintain their 100% state nursing exam pass-rate by being UBER tough on the nursing students. They seriously weeded out just under 75% of us by the end of the 4-years! 

I often joked that she was stricter than my military upbringing! 

Sep 08, 2023 07:23 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

We spent a long weekend with my Dad last week, Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ and one of the many things we discussed was exercising together when we were children. Daddy didn't remember that but, when I reminded him of the many things we did together, he realized that indeed we had! 

We recalled conversations of skiing together, hiking, biking and one of my favorite things, camping. He didn't think that was exercise but, realized that yes, it was often a LONG hike to the bath house at the campground! LOL

Sep 08, 2023 07:26 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

What a great story.  Reminiscing with your dad must have been enlightening for all of you!  Oh yes, and young strong legs to do the hiking!  I'd love to go glamping in today's "camping" world! 

Sep 08, 2023 08:56 AM
Ricardo Mello
Manhattan Miami Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
Manhattan & Miami Real Estate Agent

Interesting post

Sep 11, 2023 11:08 AM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Hi Debe Maxwell, CRS !!!  Great post and congratulations on the FEATURE!  I was not brought up in a military family, however my parents were both very strict while at the same time very dysfunctional life.  I live by and taught my children those principals as well and probably because I served in the military and brought those traits into my marriage.

Sep 11, 2023 05:14 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

OH, ME TOO, Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ! I have such wonderful memories of camping as a family but, glamping would be something fun at our age! ;-) 

Sep 11, 2023 07:11 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Thank you, Ricardo Mello! Have a wonderful week...

Sep 11, 2023 07:12 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, I love that you served, Diana Dahlberg - thank you SO much for your service. I also love that you carried what you learned into your family life. Your children are very lucky!

Sep 11, 2023 07:12 PM