The Best Advice I received From My Dad

By Leigh Connelly, Dad & Writer.

My father was never one for long-winded lectures or heartfelt chats, and, in no way could he be described as a loving, doting father. Affectionate moments were few and far between, and he was a man of even fewer words while I was growing up. But as I've grown older (and hopefully a little wiser), I've realised that the best advice he ever gave me wasn't spoken—it was lived. 

Through his actions, my dad showed me the importance of hard work, punctuality, reliability, and exceptional quality in everything he did. He was also a pretty clever bloke.

From bricklaying to factory management and firefighting to being a machinist in the RAAF, Dad's quiet example that hard work pays off and is its own reward spoke volumes. While I didn’t inherit any of the clever genes that made Dad a Jack of all trades while somehow managing to be a master of all of them, I did (eventually) acquire his commitment to hard work and doing my best simply by observing his ability to lead by example. 

How My Father Taught Me the Value of Hard Work

I sometimes marvel at the skill sets my father achieved during my formative years. Dad was a firefighter too long ago for me to remember, but he was a machinist in the RAAF during my primary school years. He dragged my brother and me up and down the eastern side of Australia, a new school every year with each posting, at least until high school. 

My parents decided my stability was more important for my brother and me during high school, so Dad quit the RAAF and went into business for himself, building houses. I have no idea when he learned that trade, but he was a one-man operation throughout my high school education.

Building sites were where I got my first taste of the value of hard work. While most of my friends rode bikes or headed to the public pool during the school holidays, my brother and I would be out with Dad on one of his building sites, lugging bricks, mixing concrete, and doing anything else that didn’t require too much skill or a trade certificate. 

It was hard, sweaty work, and Dad was pretty stingy with the pay, but it taught me the value of hard work. On those days, we would all be up at the crack of dawn, ready to pile into Dad’s cramped but trusty Toyota Dyna truck after a hearty breakfast. In truth, I was usually an unwilling participant in the day’s labour, but slacking off under Dad’s watchful gaze was not an option. 

While he never lectured me about the importance of diligence, his actions spoke volumes. I watched him tackle each job with the same level of dedication. Whether laying bricks under the scorching sun or managing factories, he was always on time, willing to put in an honest day’s work for a fair day’s pay, and I can’t remember him ever taking a sick day. 

His work ethic didn’t just apply to paid work because Dad was always doing something around the house. Whether building our back patio, landscaping the yard or paving a garden path, my brother and I were never short of chores to help Dad out on the weekends. 

Lessons Learned Through the Generations

Dad's strong work ethic continued to inspire me as a parent. From building a cubby house to the simple task of getting up every day to pack lunches, my Dad's influence taught me the importance of showing up and instilled a "get it done" mentality that kept me going even when I didn't feel like it. 

As my kids transition into adult, I can see a reflection of my willingness to put in the effort in their life choices.  They know it's not about being perfect but using what they have to the best of their ability. I have my father to thank for that. His example taught me that you don't have to be a genius to create a good life for yourself, but you do need to put in the work. Thanks Dad. 

Do you have a story about the best advice you ever received from your dad? Send it into us at hello@aussiedadding.org and it could be published too!