WSJ: “Revisiting Teenage Dreams”

In the Personal Journal section of today’s WSJ (Wednesday August 20, 2014), there is an article by Sue Shellenbarger titled “Teenage Dreams, 10 Years Later” (http://online.wsj.com/articles/advice-to-my-teenage-self-1408490144#) which describes lessons learned from people watching videos they made during their senior year in high school – about their goals. In the article, this is called a “message to to my future self” and the students view their videos 10 years later.

We use videos of “graduating” students in YCISL too. At the end of every YCISL workshop, the students are provided a video camera to record thoughts from their visit – from the time they arrived at Stanford and through the workshop. Each student is allotted 15 seconds. All instructors and mentors move out of sight and earshot. The main purpose of the video is to remind the students of the parts of the experience that excited them. It is intended to serve as a reference point for them.

Somewhat in the vein of Tina Seelig’s “What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20,” this WSJ article lists several “wisdoms” that the alums shared after watching their videos including:

– “Broaden your definition of success.” This is not as easy as it sounds. “Hindsight is 20-20” comes to mind – it is relatively easy thinking of regrets but how easy is it to think 10 years (or even days) out from now? Just as Richard St. John’s TED Talk title advises us “Success is a continuous journey” – and one should look for success (and happiness as well as opportunities for gratefulness) all along that journey.

– “It’s OK not to know what you want to do.” This should not mean that one does not have to think about their direction, strategy and goals. It basically recognizes that a change of plan is all right. A better way to put this is to “Think about what you want to do.” In YCISL, we recommend engaging in the elements of Daniel Pink’s Intrinsic Motivation – pursuing mastery, allowing for autonomy, and embracing a purpose. To address the article’s statement that “Often, young adults don’t find a clear purpose for years after graduating,” you don’t find a purpose (you find a passion), you define and embrace your purpose. And you start at the placement stage of the YCISL leadership model.

– “Don’t worry too much.” The article mentions that “a positive attitude helps.” in YCISL, we believe that positivity accelerates creative thinking and discuss how kids worry less than adults using Tim Brown’s TED Talk “Tales of Creativity & Play.” If high school students are worrying too much, they learned it from adults (see “The Importance of Childs Play” by Lenore Skenazy, WSJ 1/27/12).

– “Focus less on success and more on failing well.” There are more factors involved here than a simple thread of failures leading to success. There are support and timing factors, as well as competitive advantage and opportunity. A connecting-the-dots (successes, failures and corrective actions) agility is needed.