Notes from the work
Ideas worth acting on.
Short, direct reads on confidence, relationships, work, accountability, and becoming more intentional about how you show up. New writing lands here as Sharif publishes it.
He's Not Cold… He's Carrying
The Weight Men Don’t Talk About Most of us were raised to carry and not to share. We learned early that feelings were “soft,” tears made you weak, and stress was something you worked through, not talked about. So, we carry. We carry pressure, disappointment, and guilt for every moment we feel like we came up short as dads, husbands, sons, or men. But the problem is, carrying too much weight doesn’t just wear down your shoulders; it shuts down your heart. You stop talking. You stop laughing....
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The Echo of Shame: How We Inherit It and How to Stop Passing
I can remember being a kid and hearing things that stuck to my skin for years. “You think you’re grown.” “Stop crying before I give you something to cry about.” “You’ll never get it right.” Sometimes it came from adults who meant well but just didn't know better. Sometimes it came from people who were hurting themselves... Like relatives or neighborhood kids. Either way, those words planted something: shame. And here’s the truth—most of us are still carrying it.We just learned how to hide it...
Read thisEvolving as a Father
Too many of us cling to old habits and call it “just who I am.” How many times have you heard that? How many times have you said it? Let me be the first to tell you… that’s an excuse. It’s an excuse to stay stuck where you are. Your kids don’t need the old version of you. They need the man who’s willing to evolve. Here’s the truth: the longer you defend your old self, the longer you delay becoming the father, the partner, and the man your family deserves right now. The Victim Mindset Here’s...
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Why Fatherhood Coaching Can Transform Your Life
Becoming a father is one of the most profound experiences a man can have. It brings joy, responsibility, and sometimes challenges that can feel overwhelming. Fatherhood coaching offers a unique way to navigate this journey with confidence and purpose. This blog post explores why fatherhood coaching benefits are essential and how they can transform your life. Understanding Fatherhood Coaching Benefits Fatherhood coaching is a specialized form of life coaching that focuses on helping men become...
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It's Never Too Late to Rebuild With Your Kids
One of the things I tell fathers all the time is this: it’s never too late to rebuild your relationship with your kids but you have to be willing to do the work on yourself first. My son and I have always been close. He’ll tell you that the man he is today, a great dad, husband, and man, is partly because of the place I’ve had in his life. But there was a time when he and I weren’t speaking, and it shook me. I’m not the type of dad who can go days, months, or years without talking to my kids....
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Shame and Judgment: Why Men Carry It and How to Finally Let
I’ve talked to so many men who carry shame and judgment like a backpack full of bricks. Some of us feel ashamed because we don’t fit into the box of what a “real man” is supposed to look like. Some of us feel judged for not providing enough, not being tough enough, not holding it together at all times. And for LGBTQ men, especially fathers, the pressure can double because people are quick to question if you even count as “man enough” in the first place. I know this feeling because I lived it....
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When Triggers Take the Wheel
With the good comes the bad or maybe it’s with the bad comes the good. I talk a lot about who I am today, but I haven’t always been this...
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Is Your Child's First Bully Closer Than You Think
We don’t like to admit it, but sometimes a child’s first bully isn’t a classmate on the playground... it’s their own parent. I’m not saying parents don’t love their kids. I’m saying that sometimes, without realizing it, we end up parenting from the pain we haven’t healed yet. Those unhealed wounds have a way of spilling over and our kids feel it. How It Happens 1. Unhealed Pain Becomes Projection If you were shamed for crying as a kid, you might tell your child, “Stop being so sensitive.”It...
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Why Consistency and Accountability Go Hand in Hand
You ever find yourself fired up about change new goals, better habits, stronger relationships but somehow that fire fizzles out before...
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Men Don't Want to Talk About Confidence
Look, I get it. The last thing most men want to do is sit around and talk about confidence. We’d rather debate football stats, argue...
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Why I Thought I Was Failing as a Dad—and What Finally Helped
I’ll be honest—there was a time when I genuinely believed I’d ruined my chance at being a good father. Divorce has a way of putting a...
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The Day I Found Snoop Dogg in My Daughter's Bedroom
2020 was a rough year for everybody, but especially my youngest. That kid is a social butterfly through and through. Like her old man, I...
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The Sprite Bottle and the Condom
I remember the first time I sat my teenage son JC down to talk about sex. He was probably around 15. I called him into the room, tossed him a box of condoms, and told him to put one on a 22-ounce bottle of Sprite. He looked at me like I had completely lost my mind. “Go ahead,” I said. “Put it on there.” After some hesitation—and a whole lot of side-eye—he complied. Then I hit him with the line: “Don’t ever tell me a condom doesn’t fit. If it can go over that bottle of Sprite, I *know* it can...
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I Wasn't Always This Dad: A Father's Day Story of Change
I never had a blueprint for what it meant to be a good father. My biological dad was killed when I was about three years old, and I...
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A Dad's Journey: Why Asking for Help is Key to Fatherhood
(A blog for dads, by a dad who’s still growing) I used to think that being a dad meant one thing: provide. Just keep the lights on and...
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Practical Tips for Becoming a Confident and Supportive Father
Fatherhood is one of the most important roles a man can take on in his lifetime. It carries immense responsibility and offers a unique...
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How Fatherhood Coaching Can Transform Your Parenting Journey
Fatherhood is a remarkable adventure filled with joy, challenges, and a unique set of responsibilities. Yet, many fathers often feel...
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The Mirror My Daughter Held Up: How Kennedy Helped Me Heal
A blog for dads, by a dad who's still learning I love all my kids fiercely, but if I’m being real… my youngest, Kennedy, and I used to...
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Effective Co-Parenting for Dads: Navigating Differences with
By Sharif Colbert, LifeCoachATL As a life coach and a dad who’s been through divorce, I understand that co-parenting is not always easy....
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How to Talk About Adoption Without Making It Weird
As a life coach, a father, and someone who was adopted myself, I know firsthand how complicated — and emotional — the topic of adoption...
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Stop Putting It Off: Why Waiting Is Holding You Back
(Especially for Dads Who Want More for Themselves and Their Kids) I talk to a lot of people every day — especially dads — who are stuck...
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How Divorced Dads Can Reconnect and Raise Confident Kids
Divorce can leave dads feeling lost, disconnected, and unsure of how to maintain a strong relationship with their children. At...
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Dad Guilt is Real: 3 Powerful Ways to Overcome It
Dad Guilt Is Real: How to Overcome It and Be the Best Father You Can Be Fatherhood comes with incredible joys, but it also brings...
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The Challenges of Being a Stepdad & 3 Powerful Ways to
Being a stepdad is one of the most rewarding yet challenging roles a man can take on. You’re stepping into an already established family...
Read this124 pieces in the journal.
Your next chapter is yours to write.
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