In this episode, Ray and Parfait dive deep into the real meaning of failure, discipline, and doing hard things—and how these principles shape success in sports, business, parenting, and everyday life. They break down why people fear failure, why excuses become our biggest obstacle, and how building discipline through small daily challenges leads to long-term growth.Sports becomes a central metaphor throughout the episode. Ray and Parfait talk about coaching, competition, and how a “win the next pitch” mentality helps kids (and adults) bounce back quickly. They highlight the difference between getting beat by someone better versus beating yourself with avoidable mistakes. Both agree that sports teach powerful life skills—accountability, resilience, and learning to analyze what went wrong instead of getting emotional about it.A major theme is discipline vs. comfort. Parfait shares his personal mission to “do something hard every day,” whether it’s CrossFit at 4 a.m., road biking, learning new hobbies, or pushing past the desire to coast. Ray reflects on his own struggles with discipline, especially around fitness and self-accountability. They call out how easily adults make excuses—especially hiding behind “I don’t have time”—when in reality, discipline is a choice.Parenting also enters the conversation with a powerful framework: Parfait’s new journaling practice with his son. Each day, his son writes down something hard, something easy, something he wants to improve, and something kind he did for someone else. The goal? Teach kids to identify challenges, build self-awareness, and develop emotional discipline.Faith plays a role as well. Ray opens up about making Scripture reading his “hard thing,” highlighting how spiritual discipline is often more difficult than physical discipline because it requires patience, humility, and sustained focus.The episode closes with a discussion around youth sports culture and the controversial idea of “playing to get better, not to win.” Ray and Parfait push back—believing you practice to get better and play to win, because winning requires effort, teamwork, and high standards. They end with the reminder that practice makes progress, not perfection, and the key to improvement is consistently choosing the hard thing over the easy one.✦ About Ernie Burns & Burns Estate Planning & Wealth AdvisorsPresident & CEO: Ernie M. Burns, Jr.Master Certified Estate Planner (MCEP®)Forbes Top Financial Security Professional in Louisiana – 2022 & 2023Author: Total Retirement: A Step-By-Step Educational GuideHost: Total Retirement with Ernie Burns – airing weekly across Louisiana, Florida & Alabama✦ Contact InformationToll-Free: 800-308-4416Louisiana: 985-345-7114Florida: 850-855-4890Alabama: 251-378-9822Fax: 985-345-7124Email: marketing@burnsestateplanning.comWebsite: burnsestateplanning.comOffice Locations: Hammond (HQ), Mandeville, Metairie, Baton Rouge (LA); Destin, Panama City Beach, Pensacola, Tallahassee, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville (FL); Spanish Fort (AL).Social Media:Facebook: Burns Estate Planning & Wealth AdvisorsLinkedIn: Burns Estate Planning & Wealth AdvisorsYouTube: Burns Estate Planning & Wealth Advisors#NewDadOrder #Podcast 📩 Reach Out:Jerrard:📧 Email: jmparfait@gmail.com📱 Instagram: @itsparfaitRay:📧 Email: rbelvin91@gmail.com💤 Sleep & Recovery:Melatonin-Free Sleep & Recovery for Peak Fitness👉 Hit this link and use promo code: NDOZZZ🔗 https://thirdzy.com/⚡ Energy Boost:Need a new energy drink? Try Dubby Energy!👉 Use this link and discount code automatically applies🔗 https://www.dubby.gg/discount/NEWDADORDER?ref=fhfcqotb🌐 Find Us Online:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newdadorderpodcast1Spotify:🎧 https://open.spotify.com/show/4Zi2b2lmVbAr1m8mhHhjOK?si=l6HluKZ8Rs2Fxt6WJAVy9QTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newdadorderApple broadcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-order/id1849310124