When I sat down to write this morning, I broke down in tears.
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In less than a week, my oldest son, Henry, is leaving home for boarding school.
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And if something could ever bring a grown man to cry…
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It’s saying goodbye to his son.
Fourteen years ago, boarding school was never in the plans.
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In fact, I remember when our kids were little, thinking other parents were crazy for sending their kids off to school…
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“Why would you ever want to send your kids away like that? I want our kids to be close to us — always,” I would think.
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But somewhere along the way, we realized that Henry was a pretty special kid.
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That he was not only gifted academically and had incredible intrinsic drive…
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But that more importantly, he was also kind, humble, and caring…
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And when he expressed desire to apply to one of the top high schools in the country – one filled with other kids like him from all over the world, we opened our hearts to that possibility.
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After all, it’s every father’s dream for his son to fly further than he was ever able to fly.
And still, when he was accepted, the news was bittersweet. Because I thought we had so much more time. I thought I’d have my (now 14 year old) boy with me at home, for at least another four years.
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But as I write in Return to Real:
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“Windows open. Windows close. But windows do not last forever.ÂWhat are you going to do with the window that’s in front of you right now?”
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* * *
When I decided to write this book…
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First and foremost, I wrote it for people like you and me.
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I wrote it because of the confluence of forces reshaping the world that is having a very real and massive impact on our lives and livelihoods.
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I wrote it because of the rapidly-closing window I believe we find ourselves in right now at this moment in time.
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I wrote it to not only help you make sense of what’s happening, but also what to do about it — in both your business and in your life – before the window closes.
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But all that said…
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I also wrote this book for my two sons and the future I had no idea they would be stepping into when I snapped this photo in what feels like a lifetime ago…
To demonstrate that even today, in this age of uncertainty and doubt and what feels like artificial everything…
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That yes, it still is in fact possible to build a life that’s both financially successful and deeply fulfilling, by pursuing what’s real for you.
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By taking The Road Less Traveled…
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And by following the Contrarian Voice of Your Heart.
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I also wrote this book so my boys could see what it looks like to pour yourself deeply into something…
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What it looks like to create something with love…
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What it looks like to create art.
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And how, when you do pour yourself into your work with all your heart…
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That it not only changes you as human being…
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It also changes the lives you touch.
* * *
Of all the interviews I’ve done about this book so far, it was one with Kate Northrup that may have touched me most.
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In the middle of it, Kate stopped me.
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“Ryan,” she said, “I know Return to Real isn’t a parenting book.”
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She paused.
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“But so much of this book is about being a father.
Here’s what Kate wrote after she finished reading:
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“Return to Real is the medicine we need as we stand at the intersection of accelerating technology and a deeper longing to return to the truth of who we are.ÂThis book gave me practical, grounded tools to keep hold of what matters and felt truly hopeful and helpful.ÂIf you have big ambitions, and yet have a simultaneous yearning to tend to the meaningful soil of your life, this is the book for you.”— Kate Northrup, bestselling author of Do Less
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* * *
So that is why I wrote this book.
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And that is why I want to share it with you.
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And so today…
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It’s with tremendous enthusiasm that I can finally announce:
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Single copies of the book are now officially available for sale on our website.
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AND, if you are outside the United States, I’m thrilled to announce that we now have a bundle with worldwide access for you as well.
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Simply choose the best single copy bundle option here on this page:
And BTW… There is a VERY LIMITED bonus when you place your order today (as well as free shipping), which means…
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If you haven’t yet gotten your copy and you’ve been waiting for this moment, NOW is truly the perfect opportunity.
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Here’s the link:
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If you’ve already pre-ordered your copy, thank you for your support. It means the absolute world to me.
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If you haven’t yet ordered, I invite you to get your copy here today:
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* * *
Lastly…
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Henry,
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It won’t be the same waking up in the morning and seeing your bed empty. It won’t be the same not making you breakfast before school. Or hearing you play piano. Or taking you to soccer practice. Or talking about your day each night at dinner.
Gosh, I am going to miss you.
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More than you may know.
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But boy do I love you. And I could not be more proud to be your dad.
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Guys, remember to hug the ones you love…
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Because it really does go by too fast.
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Have a great weekend.
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And lots of love from me to you.
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All my best,
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Ryan :-)
