5 Steps to Build a Strong Foundation by Meeting Your Needs (U2.0 Series)

What if the secret to becoming the father your children need starts with taking better care of yourself? Join us for a transformative episode of "15 Minutes with Dad," where we unravel the profound connection between self-care and thriving in fatherhood. Guided by Maslow's hierarchy of needs, we tackle the often-overlooked essentials: sleep, nutrition, and emotional well-being. Discover practical strategies that not only prioritize your physical health but also help you build financial and emotional stability. As we navigate these fundamental areas, we challenge you to focus on one aspect this week, taking steps toward improvement and ultimately leading your family with renewed purpose and confidence.

Embrace authenticity and connection as we dive deeper into the art of fatherhood. This episode sheds light on how living true to oneself can create deeper bonds with your children, current partners, and even ex-partners. Unpack the significance of genuine self-expression in fostering trust and respect, and explore how vulnerability can be harnessed as a strength through practical communication techniques. This isn't just about surviving the chaos of fatherhood—it's about thriving and becoming the father your children look up to. Join us on this insightful journey and take the first step towards a more fulfilled and connected family life.

Chapters

• 0:52 Prioritizing Fatherhood
• 10:02 Building a Strong Foundation for Fatherhood

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:53

Welcome back to another episode of 15 Minutes with Dad, the podcast where we dig into real strategies, real conversations and real growth to help you step into your best self as a father. I'm your host, lyric Williams, a career visual and performing artist, professional data systems director, author and, most importantly, a father navigating the journey of a blended family life with four amazing kids. Today we're diving into episode four of the U2.0 series and we're talking about building your foundation, meeting your basic needs as a father. Let's get real. How often do you put your own needs last? How often do you feel drained, stretched thin and then like you're constantly running on empty? As fathers, we give so much to our families, but if we're not taking care of ourselves, we cannot show up fully for them. In today's episodes, we're going to break down Maslow's hierarchy of needs and apply directly to fatherhood. You'll learn why prioritizing your physical and emotional and personal well-being isn't selfish. It's essential for becoming the father your kids need. We'll also cover practical strategies to make sure you're taking care of your health, your relationships and your personal growth. If you've ever felt like you're just surviving instead of thriving, this episode is for you.

Speaker 1: 2:22

Maslow's hierarchy of needs. What is it? It's a psychological theory that explains what humans need to function at their best. It's typically shown as a pyramid, starting with the basic physical needs at the bottom and moving up towards self-actualization at the top. But when applied to fatherhood, it highlights something crucial Basically, if you're not meeting your basic needs, it's nearly impossible to be fully present for your family.

Speaker 1: 2:49

Let's break it down. Number one physiological needs. That's like food, sleep and your health. If you're running on fumes, skipping meals, ignoring your health, your patience and your energy will suffer. A second one would be safety needs. That's financial stability, stress management and if you're constantly worried about finances or your stability, that stress will spill over into your home life. The third one is love and belonging. That's relationships and connections. If you're feeling isolated, it's hard to be emotionally available for your kids. Number four is esteem. That's your confidence, your growth and your self-respect. If you don't believe in yourself, it's tough to set a strong example for your children. And self-actualization at the top. Number five becoming your best self. This is where we thrive. This is where we're not just surviving but truly leading our families with purpose.

Speaker 1: 3:53

Now I like how Jim Murphy breaks it down, because he takes Maslow's hierarchy of needs and also apply them to what inner excellence is, which is the foundation of this U2.0 series. It talks about this concept in a different way. He says you can't give what you don't have. If you want to lead with confidence, clarity and love, you'll have to fill your cup first. You have to fill your own cup first. So let's talk about how to apply this to your life as a father.

Speaker 1: 4:28

All right, so too many of us get stuck in the cycle of neglecting our own needs because we feel like we don't have time or, worse, we feel guilty for putting ourselves first. Sometimes we skip meals, sleep to just to grind harder. We suppress emotions instead of dealing with them and we pour into everyone else and leave nothing for ourselves. As a result, we burn out, we become irritable, distant and emotionally unavailable, our health declines, our patience wears thin and our ability to be fully present for our kids takes a hit. It doesn't have to be this way. Meeting your needs isn't a luxury, it's a responsibility. Your kids don't just need a provider, they need a father who is whole, healthy and engaged. So let's break down five practical ways to start prioritizing yourself so you can show up stronger for your family.

Speaker 1: 5:30

Number one take care of your body. That's the physiological needs. Why does it matter? Your energy, patience and presence start with how well you take care of your body. What can you do? You can sleep more at least six to eight hours, so you're not running on empty. Make some time for movement. Even a 10-minute walk can clear your mind and eat real food. Fuel your body like it matters, because it does. And what's crazy to me, something I've noticed lately, before I even move on, is that at this age of 35, a lot of people on social media and people that I know are literally Men, are dying by the age of 65. That's below life expectancy, like 59. Between 59 and 65, men are literally croaking because they're not taking care of these particular needs. But Jim Murphy reminds us, your body is your vehicle in this life. If you neglect it, you limit everything you can do.

Speaker 1: 6:39

Number two create a financial and emotional stability. Create your safety needs. Stress about your money or life uncertainties can make you short-tempered, distracted and emotionally drained. So what can you do? Set up a simple financial plan, track your expenses, set small saving goals, practice stress management, deep breathing, journaling and even therapy, which is a big point. I think therapy helps for sure. Have a game plan for tough situations. Knowing your next move reduces anxiety and decision fatigue. A stable father creates a stable home. You don't have to have it all figured out, but having a plan makes a huge difference.

Speaker 1: 7:24

The next one is strengthen your relationships, love and belonging. That's the need of one of the hierarchy of needs. A father who feels connected is a father who can give love freely. So spend intentional time with your kids. Quality matters more than quantity. Stay connected with positive influence. Other dads, mentors, close friends. Join Facebook groups like Fatherhood Fraternity.

Speaker 1: 7:49

Communicate with your partner or co-parent openly. It's not about winning. It's about teamwork. That's a hard one to get openly. It's not about winning. It's about teamwork. That's a hard one to get over. Easier said than done. But Jim Murphy says great relationships don't happen by accident. You have to nurture them like anything else worth having.

Speaker 1: 8:09

The fourth one would be to build self-confidence and respect. Your kids look up to you, and if you believe in yourself, they will too. So acknowledge your wins, big or small, because they all matter. Speak positively about yourself. Your self-talks influence your mindset. Keep confidence, keep promises to yourself. Whether it's hitting the gym or spending time with your kids, consistency builds confidence For me.

Speaker 1: 8:40

I have vowed to spend more time working out and I vowed to spend more time doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because I want to compete by the end of the year. Y'all can hold me to that. I just put that out on the podcast. Y'all can hold me to that. Check in with me, see if I, you know, reach out to me Lyric Williams, and say, hey, all right, did you compete yet? And then I'll be like, all right, let me get back to this, let me get in the gym. So hold me accountable.

Speaker 1: 9:05

And the last one is invest in your growth. The best fathers are always learning and evolving, and if you're listening to this podcast, you're trying to do that too. Read books that challenge you, and a book that challenged me is Jim Murphy's. Inner Excellence had me completely ripped to shreds who I thought I was, and by the time I finished that book, I am so empowered. I've accomplished even great things since finishing that book. It ripped away the procrastination that I relied on quite a bit. But you get to learn new skills that make you better, make you a better leader and a father, a better father. Set your personal goals. You're not just a dad, you're a man with a purpose, and if you don't have a purpose, this U2.0 will get you there. So when you take time to grow, you inspire your kids to do the same thing.

Speaker 1: 10:03

Before leaving here today, I want you to remember that fatherhood isn't just about what you give. It's about how well you take care of yourself so you can give your best. Today, we talked about why meeting your own needs is crucial and five strategies to build a strong foundation for yourself and your family. So here's your challenge Pick one area your health, finances, relationship, confidence or personal growth and take action this week.

Speaker 1: 10:32

If you're enjoying this series, visit 15minuteswithdadcom, and next week we'll be discussing embracing authenticity living true to yourself and your family. We're going to be focusing on authenticity in everyday life. Discuss how embracing your true self creates deeper, more meaningful connections with your kids and ex-partners and your current partners. We're going to talk about the role of genuine self-expression in building trust and respect, practical ways to communicate honestly with your children, co-parents and current partners, and how vulnerability can become a strength rather than a weakness. So subscribe to 15 Minutes with Dad and follow us at at 15 minutes with dad on all streaming platforms. And until next time, take care of yourself, because your family needs the best version of you.