Four Models for Youth to reach success
Today’s millennials are exceptionally smart. They are incredibly tech-savvy, innovative, curious, and determined. But sometimes being youthful, doesn’t always allow for the “best decisions” to be made in intense situations.
Therefore the experience of role models, parents or guardians is needed to help guide our youth toward success. Youth and parental guidance should not be antagonistic. They should be considered helpful to one another. That is why we work with four models for youth to reach success. The four models are:
I. UNDERSTANDING CONSEQUENCES
Consequences are the result of our actions, whether the actions are good or are bad. Consequences are attached to everything we do, even if we do something we did not mean to do.
Imagine a small child who was told not to put their hands on a hot stove. The child doesn’t listen and chooses to put their hands on the stove anyway, and as a result, the child gets burned. Although the child did not fully comprehend why the parent expressed warning not to touch the stove, the result or consequence for the child is a burn and the feeling of pain. In some cases, feelings of pain do not go away. The child’s pain is a direct result of a bad decision, but it is not the child’s fault.
Even if in times of bad situations, we are forgiven and apologetic, a large portion of the time, there is always a negative consequence. Consequences can result from poor decisions of the past. Therefore, it is always best to make good decisions.
II. DECISION-MAKING SKILLS
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Do not make decisions out of anger or at a time when stress feels like it is at its highest point.
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Think or take time to make decisions. Decisions, small or large are important. Take the time you need to decide what options are best for you.
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Do not allow peer pressure to make you feel like you need to make an immediate decision.
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Do not allow friends to make decisions for you.
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Think of the consequences of your decisions.
Will this decision be a problem for me at a later time? Is there a better option I could choose?
III. WHAT’S MY ATTITUDE?
Attitude is the orientation of the mind, or it can be the way you think, feel, or act towards someone or an event that did or did not happen to you. A bad or negative attitude is a waste of time and produces negative results.
For example, you are turned down for a job, you didn’t make the cheerleading or the basketball team; you didn’t pass a math or spelling exam, so you become upset and quit. You were disappointed in the outcome of a situation and you gave up. If you develop a negative attitude as a result of these types of situations and put little effort into responsible pursuits or activities, you get negative results.
Attitude is “your mood or state of mind” and having a positive attitude, even after negative or unwanted events can change the atmosphere.
IV. FAIL SUCCESSFULLY
Youth have asked the question, "What do you mean, I should fail?" And the answer is that no one was ever 100% successful, 100% of the time. We need to train for success but prepare for failure.
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Sometimes failure distorts perception, goals seem out of reach, and our capacities seem less up to the task, and we can become demoralized and lose motivation. Ignore this gut reaction and be prepared!
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Find meaning in your loss. What distinguishes those who thrive emotionally after experiencing loss or trauma from those who do not is the ability to find meaning in experiences and derives purpose from them. Of course, doing so takes time, as does the process of grieving and adapting to a new reality but by finding meaning, we can remotivate ourselves as well as helping others.