For over 2 decades, I have worked with different kinds of people from all different walks of life. There is one thing I have run into over and over again that severely hurts a person’s chance for success. I want to share it with you today, because it’s not just a problem adults have — your kids need to know this, as well!

I constantly come in contact with business people who won’t follow directions. They refuse to follow directions, they are not teachable and they constantly push the envelope to reinvent the wheel their own way. The vast majority of this type of person fails. They can’t keep a job, and they have very little stability. They can’t succeed in business because they’re unteachable and they’re forever looking for greener grass, always chasing the wind.

An unteachable person cannot listen to or learn from anyone. They say, “I know that already,” or “My way is better.” They have tons of ideas and suggestions, and they are always right — or so they think. But this will never help them to succeed.

On the other hand, a teachable person says, “Teach me! Show me! Guide me! Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.” They are willing to put their ideas and suggestions aside in order to learn from someone else. They are more concerned with learning than they are with being right. These are the people who become outrageously successful.

This is not just my opinion. This is what I have seen as a businesswoman who has coached tens of thousands of people. I have seen who succeeds and who fails, and I’m telling you people who cannot follow directions get fired, go out of business, and have failing marriages and out-of-control children.

My friend, whether you have kids right now or not, I want you to think about what happens when a child is raised to be unteachable. They will not follow directions and will not obey you or anyone else. It will cause frustration in the home and in relationships. It will hinder them in school. It can keep them from getting a job. It will keep them from getting raises and promotions in their jobs, or even get them fired.

And why? Because they can’t follow directions. That’s why it’s so important to start teaching them while they’re young.

Because of my experience working with adults in business, I recognized this principle before I began raising kids. I vowed to teach my kids to obey, follow directions and to follow through the first time I told them something. There was no room for, “But Moooom! I don’t want to!” or “I’ll do it later.” They learned to say, “Yes, Mom!” and do what they were told, the first time they were told. If they did not obey, they were disciplined. This equipped them for success.

Today, they are honorable and respectful teenagers and young adults who gladly follow directions given by myself or my husband, as well as their bosses at work. They are so teachable and eager to learn, both at work and at home. This has positioned them for success for the rest of their lives.

Imagine being trained in this way as a child — follow directions the first time; hear a request and follow through immediately.

It doesn’t matter how old your children are, or how long you have been in a pattern of disobedience, procrastination and rebellion. It’s not too late!

You have to choose which outcome you want for you and your children — do you want to succeed or fail; do you want your children to succeed or fail?

Choose today to take steps toward being teachable and following directions. Next time you are asked to do something, try saying, “Sure, I’d be glad to!” instead of fighting the directive. Next time you are tempted to argue or say, “I know, I know,” stop for a moment and listen to what the other person has to say.

This will change your reputation and cause people to see you as reliable and dependable. It will set you up for success at work, at home and in your community. It will set your children up for a lifetime of success.

I actually wrote a whole chapter in Grooming The Next Generation For Success on how to equip your children to succeed in this area. This is NOT something to mess around with. This one thing can and WILL make or break your future and the future of your children.

I highly encourage you to share this with every parent, grandparent, teacher, youth leader, babysitter, and everyone who has or works with kids. Let’s do our part to help equip the next generation for success! Just share this post on Facebook and Twitter.

I can’t wait to talk with you this Sunday night on The Dani Johnson Show! Tune in on your TV or radio at 9 pm ET/8 pm CT, and join the discussion!

In great faith,

P.S. Like what you read here? Just hit the “like” button at the top of the page! That will help your Facebook friends find this content!