What does it mean to make your "bones" in the world?

There is a story of a young man who was leaving London to go to New York to try to make his fortune. His father pulled him aside and gave him this piece of advice: "Remember your three bones - the wishbone, the jawbone, and the backbone. The wishbone will make you want things and strive to get them. The jawbone will help you ask questions so you can learn new skills to help you get the things you want. The backbone will keep you focused on the work necessary to get them." 

In the late 1970s, when I was thinking of giving up a full athletic scholarship and leaving college, my  father sent me a seven-page handwritten letter. Without specifically using the 'bones' described above, he imparted the same lessons.

For a young, immature, and homesick kid, his words helped me to get my head on straight and focus on the long-term benefits I would derive from the short-term pain I would experience.

Fathers are great at giving their children genuine, meaningful, and wise advice because they are some of the few people in the world who want their children to be more successful than they were.

Regardless of what your purpose is in the world (and each of us has a unique assignment), that intention will not come without challenges, effort, and struggle. 

Most things that are 'free' in this world aren't worth having. Fulfillment, gratification, and satisfaction only come from committing to do the work necessary to accomplish the mission.

Wanting something, learning what's necessary to achieve it, and putting in the work to obtain it, will ensure that you make your bones in this world.

Leave me a comment about your thoughts on what it takes to make your bones in life.