No One Is Ever Ready

The Good Kid

“When was a time you got into trouble as a kid?”

I drew that question card while playing a board game with my kids.

Ironically, I could hardly think of an answer. I remembered fighting with another kid once, over something, but I apologized soon afterward.

My wife said this explains why I’m afraid to step out of my comfort zone and take risks as an adult.

I agree.

As a kid, I always followed the rules and tried to be a “good kid.” I was even praised for following instructions.

In Chinese, three of the most common ways to praise a child are guai (乖), ting hua (听话), and cheng ji hao (成绩好). They mean “well-behaved,” “listens to instructions,” and “good grades.”

It struck me one day that there’s no real English word for guai. It’s somewhere between “well-behaved” and “obedient.” It’s a small thing, but it reflects a cultural difference.

By contrast, a friend of mine told me he got into all kinds of trouble as a kid. As an adult, he’s very successful, both in his corporate job and in his own startups.

So, when was a time you got into trouble as a kid?