Category Archives: Advice to my sons

Savvy Dad on Chit Capital

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Millions of words exist on how to make it in life.

by Greg Hague

Chubby taught it in few. Here are two: Chit Capital

chubbyThis is about that.

In 1962, I wanted to start my first business. I was 14. I needed 75 bucks to buy a lawn mower. I was going to cut grass.

My plan? Door to door with a flyer. “I Cut Grass. Good. Cheap. Greg.” When I asked Dad to loan me the $75, he asked why. I expected that. I told him my plan…the flyer, “I Cut Grass. Good. Cheap. Greg.”

Chubby thought for less than a minute. He pulled out his money clip and counted out 75 bucks. He spread it on the table and walked away.   READ MORE 

Kids Don’t Die Young

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Kids Don’t Die Young . . .

The order of things.

by Greg Hague

Greg Hague's son, Corey

Corey today.

We presume an order to life.

  • Have kids when we’re young.
  • Die when we’re old.
  • Dads pass before sons.

It’s not always that way. June 30, 2000 – Corey’s 19th birthday. A new high school grad, Santa Clara awaited that fall. This young man exemplified ethics, kindness, quality friends…everything right. We went with Corey to a party at his best friend’s home.   READ MORE 

The Kids Want Off Your Payroll!

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Upscale Dogs and Secret Bars

Today’s story is about Brian Shebairo and his childhood pal Chris Antista.

I’m mentoring 600 of your kids. They’re about to graduate from ASU. I’m giving a talk on “Finding a Job”. It’s a big deal…to you and to them.

They want off your payroll. And you agree!
Crifdogs hotdogs

A good idea.

  • I thought about law. I’ve done it. Try to solve life-crippling problems. Fight emotion fraught fights. Not for your kids.
  • Medicine? Lives at stake. Their hands in strange places they weren’t meant to be. No way.
  • Corporate America? Bosses who know less than they do (they’ll think). Nope.

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Dad’s Prized Possession

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Dad’s Prized Possession

The Hamilton — a gift from mom to dad.

by Greg Hague

Dad wore it for most of his life. Hamilton was the brand inscribed on the face. Piaget, Rolex…many cost more.

Greg Hague's Hamilton

The Hamilton. Mom to Dad. Dad to me. Me to Jason last Christmas.

But The Hamilton was priceless to Dad. It was Mom on his arm, Mom at his side. The Hamilton had a black leather band, a pearl face and a bezel of platinum. Mom had the jeweler set small diamonds at 3, 12 and 9.

A small hand in a cross, centered below, counted the seconds. The Hamilton was kept in Dad’s top bureau drawer. It had a place of its own. It always lay flat, perfectly straight, with the band pointing north. The Hamilton was positioned an inch from the left side of the drawer. Dad’s money clip sat angled, just to the right…also a gift from Mom.   READ MORE 

7 Little Sentences. 7 Big Thoughts.

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7 Little Sentences. 7 Big Thoughts.

I’ve been fortunate. Most of my life I’ve been surrounded by people with smarts.

by Greg Hague

Greg Hague

My kids say this is my “smart guy” photo.

It started with my dad, Chubby. He taught me a ton and made me want to know more. I learned that big concepts can often be expressed in just a few words. Chubby was a master at that.

Over 30+ years, I’ve assembled quite a collection of these nuggets of life. I call them “Chubby Rules,” named after my dad. I thought I would pass on a few of my favorites. Some are my own. Most are what others have said or I’ve read. If you’ve heard them, a reminder can’t hurt. Most of us know what we ought to do. We just need a nudge.   READ MORE 

Are You Happy with Who You Are?

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Are You Happy with Who You Are?

“People focus on role models; it is more effective to find anti-models — people you don’t want to resemble when you grow up.”

by Greg Hague

This morning a Savvy Dad friend and story contributor (and really smart guy), Michael LeBoeuf, reminded me of that quote from a great book, The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb.

Greg Hague, Savvy Dad

Me, Greg, a few years back.

It made me reflect back to a Saturday breakfast with Dad at Perkins Pancake House in Montgomery, Ohio. I was 12, maybe 13. It was our father-son tradition — the highlight of my week for years. We were sitting across from each other in a dark-red shiny booth next to the window, looking out at the road. It was a cold, icy morning. I can still picture the massive platter before me, stacked high with five syrup-laden pancakes, hash-browns and a double order of crispy bacon.   READ MORE 

How Young Men Succeed in Life

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Savvy Dad is usually about what we learn from our dads. Today is different. It’s what we learn from our kids.

Corey, doing what he never imagined -- loving each day.

Corey, doing what he never imagined —
loving each day.

I could write glowingly of each of my sons. In fact, I plan to. How they’ve handled their challenges in life. How far they’ve come, and how proud I am.

I’m starting with Corey. He’s incredibly smart and a really great guy. I feel certain his brothers agree.

Most young people have a burning desire to make it, but don’t know how. Or, they think they do, but really don’t. The latter is probably more often the case.   READ MORE