As adults committed to serving youth, we all have our standard advice we give to our children, our students, and our players. After many years speaking to diverse youth audiences and working with kids in a wide range of settings, here are 3 things I have come to believe all youth should do to be successful and happy.
- Talk to strangers
There’s so many interesting peop
le to meet and things to do in the world that might be missed if you don’t go out and talk to people. Every week set a goal to have a conversation, an actual conversation, with at least one person you have absolutely no reason to talk to. Talk to people who are not like you – who don’t think like you, who don’t live like you, who aren’t dressed like you. You will be amazed at what you may learn. The opportunities that may present themselves for you will be amazing. The world is a pretty small when you talk to others.
*** DISCLAIMER – please talk to strangers in well lighted areas, with witnesses around and preferably with video surveillance *** - Do something you really love to do on a regular basis
It can be a hobby or a sport, or music, or art. It can be ANYTHING you are interested in or have a passion for. Find something that gives you joy. Don’t worry what other people think about it. Make sure to prioritize the time to do it. Don’t let your passion be overtaken by the day to day overwhelm of life. You will be happier and more productive if you do this. - Find one thing that you think could or should be better and do something about it
Find a problem and work to solve it. Stop just complaining. You can commit yourself at any level you want in terms of your time and your resources, BUT COMMIT to make something better. Really, it can be anything, but make sure it’s something. Everyone has something that they are passionate about that will make a positive difference in the world. You will meet awesome like-minded people in the process. Try a few things to find your one thing; that is perfectly normal. When you start with one thing, you may find that you end up fixing two, three, or four problems in the process. Don’t wait. Start NOW. The world needs you. Really.
There really are no limits to what young people can do when they start to act.