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Some people just don’t get it!

I was reading an article yesterday about how Mark Zuckerburg (the founder of Facebook) was parented.

I always like to look at how people became who they became, so whenever I get the chance to peek into the mind of a parent who raised a billionaire, I jump at the chance.

And you’ll never guess what the founder of Facebook’s said his parenting philosophy was when asked for parenting advice in his interview.

He said, “Probably the best thing I can say is something that my wife and I have always believed in,” he said. “Rather than impose upon your kids or try and steer their lives in a certain direction, to recognize what their strengths are and support their strengths and support the development of the things they’re passionate about.”

Most people will not understand this quote, but I do.

My brother and I had a mother and father who put our strengths and passions ahead of academics by actually hiring us professional coaches for our passions when we were about 12 years old.  My mom “Got It” just like Mr. Zuckerburg seems to “Get It”.  Success in life has everything to do with pursuing your passions to their fullest and doing the best with the talents and strengths God gives you.

And while I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Zuckerburg, that quote is not the MAIN reason I wanted to share this article with you.

The main reason I wanted to share this article with you was to point out the response of the interviewer when Mr. Zuckerburg told her his parenting philosophy.

The interviewer (presumably stumped at Zuckerburg’s answer) asked if he had heard of the new best selling parenting book out called, “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”?

“Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” is a book about the Chinese philosophy of parenting, and cites the Chinese way of raising slaves… err I mean children, as superior.  And it has a complete opposite approach to what seems like the parenting philosophy of Mr. & Mrs. Zuckerburg… that forcing children to do things “THEY” think are important is more important than developing the strengths and talents the child wants to pursue.

Many people who agree with this books philosophy cite the Chinese students far superior standardized testing scores compared to US students as proof that the Chinese have a better way.

Which brings me to the main point you need to get.

There is NO evidence that good grades are a predictor of success… NONE!

But isn’t it proven that college graduates make more money than non college graduates my critics will say?

Yes.  It is true that college graduates on average earn more money than none college graduates.

But those people are missing the point!

Just earning an extra $20,000 a year on average (or whatever the figure is) compared to non college grads doesn’t even come close to defining success.

If you make $40,000 a year or you make $70,000 a year you’re still middle class.  There’s nothing wrong with that at all.  I just bring it up to point out that it bares no relation on how successful that person is.

Whether someone makes $40,000 or $70,000 has nothing to do with their ability to form a charity, or create the next breakthrough invention.

It has no relation to how much spare time an individual uses outside of work to perfect their musical talents, hone sales experience, network etc.  So while it is true that grades predict a slightly higher than average annual income, they are a horrible predictor of REAL LIFE success.  But that sad thing is that nobody knows this.

99% of the population thinks their children’s best chance at making it in life is through education — and it’s a LIE!

Don’t believe me?  Listen to my interview with the author of Weapons of Mass Instruction if you’d like the real juicy details about what education was really created for.  Hint: It’s Evil

So what is a better predictor of your child’s success?

The most recent research out shows that the best way to raise a successful child is to help them develop self control and will power.

And the age that parents can affect this with their children is scary!

The research shows that the longer a 3 year old child is willing to persist, like trying to put together a puzzle, climb a hard playground toy and other tough tasks, the more successful they will be in EVERY area of life, from marital happiness, to income earned.

Why is this the case?

Because unlike grades, the willingness to persist in the face of tough challenges.  To fail over and over again without losing your willingness to try again IS a trait that it takes to be successful.  In fact without it I would argue that success is impossible.

And the scary part is that the purpose of school, as revealed in my interview with John Taylor Gatto, is to kill an individuals will power.

So be very careful what side of this argument you side with, as it very well will determine your child’s future.

I know the side I pick… the side of people who raise billionaires, vs. the style of a country that uses slave labor.