Before even reading The Preparation, the subject hit home. Encouraged several friends to purchase, and a few have done so without hesitation. Now reading it, I’m thrilled with the content and delivery. And then, with your email here, you’ve hit on just what I’d hoped for: addressing those of us who are already mature. Those who desire and act on stimulations that insure living the full life well into ‘old’ age. Turning 72 later this month, and The Preparation is fueling renewed boldness to try more, do more and think more out of the box. I’m already active in many pursuits working smart about what I choose to do. The Preparstion is confirming foundational strengths and sparking new risk taking and bold feelings usually attributed to men in their 40’s.
Have encouraged my son-in-law who at 44 may get on board given the idea expansion beyond just young men. And with three daughters and two granddaughters, addressing the female is very much on point for me as well.
Helping others and properly modeling for my family has become my purpose. The Preparation will be an incredible resource for expanding what more can be done actively and in mentoring.
Thank you Doug, Matt, Maxim and all your families and friends who support you. I am grateful.
You’re so welcome. Hope to meet you, Maxim and Doug someday. Can’t make next month’s event in Uruguay although I did consider rearranging some things to make it happen. Keep me in mind for any potential opportunities.
Excellent thoughts, Pete. I completely agree — we’re never too old to learn or start something new. I’m 69 myself and diving into a new startup while still serving clients. The process, trial and error included, is energizing — and perhaps most rewarding, it excites my son to join me on this ride.
Likewise!!…. also looking to apply it to my 76 year-old body with a 36 year-old attitude! Also to my son, grandson and hopefully, granddaughters, when that version comes,….
…..Although I think it is also quite applicable to young women in its current form.
Reading about Bella brings a tear to my eye. What a dear.
She reminds me of my own daughter, Miriam. Our kids are spaced like yours, but a bit younger. Josiah, the 19 year old, has a reasonable clear picture of what he wants to do. Clear enough, to get a professional job in IT right out of high school.
Miriam, on the other hand, knows that she wants to go away to college. She doesn't know what type of college, nor what she would want to study.
She is the one in our family who will benefit most from a "The Preparation"-type book.
Get it for her. A better version for her is coming, but it would expand her view of what’s possible. She probably just feels the need to go somewhere and do something. The cooking cycle in italy could be good place to start. It’s an adventure with a purpose. That will likely be Bella’s first.
Matt, you are so blessed to have such a wonderful family.
It is truly inspiring to me as I have started thinking of how I could engage my wife, son & daughter to collaborate on a common goal.
Both kids are approaching 30, and I have pushed them to be very independent. However, your comments in a few interviews have totally changed my perspective. Specifically about the power of generational wealth and having a family unit that lives in close proximity.
That’s wonderful to hear. In my case, I traded so much of my life to accumulate capital. Hard work and good luck paid off. But, if I knew it was going to be has hard as it was, I don’t think I’d do it again. And I certainly don’t want my kids to feel they need to spend their life that way.
Yes, they need to be valuable, they need to have their own identity. but the hard truth, at the age they are, is they are likely to follow the money (it’s what they’ve been conditioned to do) so figuring out a way to negate or offset any money incentive that would drive them away is important. In today’s world these issues can easily overshadow any sentimental or the many beautiful intangible benefits offered by a tight family structure. Everyone’s situation is different, but for me it’s worth pretty much anything to me to keep the family healthy and in the same orbit.
Things evolve, the kids grow and their ambitions change. So, I’m going to do my best to evolve my strategy as necessary. Starting younger is easier. I’ve always treated my kids as humans beings worthy of respect and have avoided the power struggles that cause resentment and loss of trust. They know I want them to win - however they define winning.
Will it work? who knows. Future spouses are the greatest risk, especially with sons, it seems.
One interesting (to me) thing that the various pundits and luminaries depreciating college is that they all appear to have attended college. One might speculate that the skills developed and knowledge acquired in college was a necessary substrate to be able to eschew the need to attend college. I can certainly dispute the relevance of attending college at this point in civilization, especially given the money to benefit ratio. There is also the fact that even at America’s iconic Harvard University, students are now being required to take supplementary English and math courses to bring them up to snuff to actually attend the University. Thus you may no longer be “going up to University” as the Brits used to quaintly say, but rather going down with the bluebirds in your class instead of solely the robins, a nasty experience that many of us have undergone. Maybe if I hadn’t gone to college I’d be able to come up with a solution to this situation.
I’m not a luminary or pundit, but I am the guy who came up with the framework for the book, most of the novel ideas, and did the vast majority of the writing. I dropped out of college after three semesters.
I have mostly woman in my life that need some help I haven't been able to provide. 2 daughters (38 and 41) and a granddaughter (15 yrs). My 38 yr old is recovering from addiction and is stuck working at Market Basket. The 41 yr old works security and is looking for a change of career. The Granddaughter is just lost. They won't be going back to school but need direction and discipline. I have confidence in these authors but not sure if this is a fit for them.
The first copy of the book was passed along to my eldest nephew, since he's the target age for the book. I'll have to get more copies for other friends and family, and another one for me.
Matt
Before even reading The Preparation, the subject hit home. Encouraged several friends to purchase, and a few have done so without hesitation. Now reading it, I’m thrilled with the content and delivery. And then, with your email here, you’ve hit on just what I’d hoped for: addressing those of us who are already mature. Those who desire and act on stimulations that insure living the full life well into ‘old’ age. Turning 72 later this month, and The Preparation is fueling renewed boldness to try more, do more and think more out of the box. I’m already active in many pursuits working smart about what I choose to do. The Preparstion is confirming foundational strengths and sparking new risk taking and bold feelings usually attributed to men in their 40’s.
Have encouraged my son-in-law who at 44 may get on board given the idea expansion beyond just young men. And with three daughters and two granddaughters, addressing the female is very much on point for me as well.
Helping others and properly modeling for my family has become my purpose. The Preparation will be an incredible resource for expanding what more can be done actively and in mentoring.
Thank you Doug, Matt, Maxim and all your families and friends who support you. I am grateful.
You made my day, Pete. Thank you.
You’re so welcome. Hope to meet you, Maxim and Doug someday. Can’t make next month’s event in Uruguay although I did consider rearranging some things to make it happen. Keep me in mind for any potential opportunities.
Excellent thoughts, Pete. I completely agree — we’re never too old to learn or start something new. I’m 69 myself and diving into a new startup while still serving clients. The process, trial and error included, is energizing — and perhaps most rewarding, it excites my son to join me on this ride.
Likewise!!…. also looking to apply it to my 76 year-old body with a 36 year-old attitude! Also to my son, grandson and hopefully, granddaughters, when that version comes,….
…..Although I think it is also quite applicable to young women in its current form.
Reading about Bella brings a tear to my eye. What a dear.
She reminds me of my own daughter, Miriam. Our kids are spaced like yours, but a bit younger. Josiah, the 19 year old, has a reasonable clear picture of what he wants to do. Clear enough, to get a professional job in IT right out of high school.
Miriam, on the other hand, knows that she wants to go away to college. She doesn't know what type of college, nor what she would want to study.
She is the one in our family who will benefit most from a "The Preparation"-type book.
Get it for her. A better version for her is coming, but it would expand her view of what’s possible. She probably just feels the need to go somewhere and do something. The cooking cycle in italy could be good place to start. It’s an adventure with a purpose. That will likely be Bella’s first.
Matt, you are so blessed to have such a wonderful family.
It is truly inspiring to me as I have started thinking of how I could engage my wife, son & daughter to collaborate on a common goal.
Both kids are approaching 30, and I have pushed them to be very independent. However, your comments in a few interviews have totally changed my perspective. Specifically about the power of generational wealth and having a family unit that lives in close proximity.
That’s wonderful to hear. In my case, I traded so much of my life to accumulate capital. Hard work and good luck paid off. But, if I knew it was going to be has hard as it was, I don’t think I’d do it again. And I certainly don’t want my kids to feel they need to spend their life that way.
Yes, they need to be valuable, they need to have their own identity. but the hard truth, at the age they are, is they are likely to follow the money (it’s what they’ve been conditioned to do) so figuring out a way to negate or offset any money incentive that would drive them away is important. In today’s world these issues can easily overshadow any sentimental or the many beautiful intangible benefits offered by a tight family structure. Everyone’s situation is different, but for me it’s worth pretty much anything to me to keep the family healthy and in the same orbit.
Things evolve, the kids grow and their ambitions change. So, I’m going to do my best to evolve my strategy as necessary. Starting younger is easier. I’ve always treated my kids as humans beings worthy of respect and have avoided the power struggles that cause resentment and loss of trust. They know I want them to win - however they define winning.
Will it work? who knows. Future spouses are the greatest risk, especially with sons, it seems.
Good luck to both of us!
One interesting (to me) thing that the various pundits and luminaries depreciating college is that they all appear to have attended college. One might speculate that the skills developed and knowledge acquired in college was a necessary substrate to be able to eschew the need to attend college. I can certainly dispute the relevance of attending college at this point in civilization, especially given the money to benefit ratio. There is also the fact that even at America’s iconic Harvard University, students are now being required to take supplementary English and math courses to bring them up to snuff to actually attend the University. Thus you may no longer be “going up to University” as the Brits used to quaintly say, but rather going down with the bluebirds in your class instead of solely the robins, a nasty experience that many of us have undergone. Maybe if I hadn’t gone to college I’d be able to come up with a solution to this situation.
I’m not a luminary or pundit, but I am the guy who came up with the framework for the book, most of the novel ideas, and did the vast majority of the writing. I dropped out of college after three semesters.
May I please cast my vote for the cycles in the Preparation that you, your daughter and your wife are putting together? Here it is:
The Female Preparation:
1. Healer (natural remedies, homeopathy, herbalism, nutrition)
2. Chef
3. Farmer
4. Cowgirl
5. Fighter
6. Seamstress
7. Midwife
8. Survivalist
9. Handywoman (vehicle & home maintenance)
10. Entrepreneur
11. Investor
12. Leader (conflict management, public speaking, negotiation, effective communication)
13. Marketer
14. Coder (programming, web development, cyber security)
15. Prepper (canning, pickling, fermenting, animal processing, tanning)
16. Medic
I have mostly woman in my life that need some help I haven't been able to provide. 2 daughters (38 and 41) and a granddaughter (15 yrs). My 38 yr old is recovering from addiction and is stuck working at Market Basket. The 41 yr old works security and is looking for a change of career. The Granddaughter is just lost. They won't be going back to school but need direction and discipline. I have confidence in these authors but not sure if this is a fit for them.
I'm glad this all came together!
The first copy of the book was passed along to my eldest nephew, since he's the target age for the book. I'll have to get more copies for other friends and family, and another one for me.
Thank you, sir!