When I’m coaching, teaching, and working with others, I often find that a lot of my methods and analogies come from the automotive world. This is as much by chance as it is design.

I had a friend ask me once if I had any advice for raising good, hardworking kids. Of course I mentioned all the resources we’re given through Scripture. But to conclude with my own spin, I simply said: “teach your kids how to drive a manual transmission.”

Now, did I mean this literally? Well, yes, as a matter of fact I did. But I also meant it figuratively.

I meant it literally for the following reasons:

It’s a dying art.

It takes time to learn.

You can always get better.

It’s a modern day theft deterrent.

Gives you greater control over your car.

Connects you more directly to the source of power.

It severely limits one’s ability to use their phone while driving, a net positive for all.

Prepares you for the inevitable public embarrassments you will encounter throughout life. Only people who’ve stalled out in a busy intersection will get this one!

But figuratively speaking, here’s why I think you should do it:

It forces you to learn and teach a skill that you probably don’t have.

It is something that requires a combination of physical and cognitive effort.

You have to spend time together in the real world.

You can’t be passive, it requires your continual presence.

It’s simple and timeless, but not easy.

But it’s not hard for the sake of “doing hard things.”

You will spend a lifetime trying to get better – this is the pursuit of mastery – getting better and better at something that matters.

Feedback is visceral and nearly immediate.

There is joy in getting it right, and you’ll experience frustration when you don’t.

You experience gratitude for those who taught you.

The wonder you’ll feel as you help someone to an ‘aha’ moment is worth it’s weight in gold.

Boiling it down, it forces you to ask the questions:

• What do I want to teach my kids that will take time, effort, and focus that will lead to a life well lived?
• What does that require of me? The more patience, effort, time, and dedication, the better.

It doesn’t have to be a teaching them to drive manual transmission.

But it’s a darn good place to start.