How important is positive thinking for students in their success?
Not only positive thinking but positive action as a follow up?
This question has been playing over in my mind while I deliver programmes to schools and colleges to the end of this academic year.
Last week before I left for Thailand I spent two days down at South Thames College in London. I was delivering back to back inspirational keynotes on “The World of Work”. Using my own experiences it was my task to inspire 400 students over two campuses about preparation for work. Not just with an awareness of their qualifications and skills but also the mental preparation being needed for employment or starting your own business.
On coming back to the UK and suffering the effects of jet lag (I never drink coffee but yesterday I needed it man!) I led a workshop with Barnet EBP on getting kids to be aware of the skills needed for public speaking and presentation skills, and tomorrow I will be consulting again on presentation skills for SpeakersBank for their Speakout challenge.
One of the most exciting projects I am looking forward to participating in is one designed by friends Daniel and Emily of Arrival Education. In the meantime I am seriously building the foundation for a youth leadership programme I have been pondering for a while now. Watch this space.
Anyway back to the positive thinking. In a world where many students are faced with negativity within their schools, family and communities how do you create an environment or mindset of positivity. Can affirmations and a desire for something better really bring about change, and just because it has changed my outlook on life, is this kind of mindset really transferrable? Do I intimidate students or empower them to believe in visualising a more positive future regardless of their current circumstances? This is my constant challenge but I continue to believe that a positive outlook is the catalyst for unleashing the potential I see in many young people.
Filed under: Uncategorized , Action Plans, Education, Positive Thinking, Students, Unlimited Potential
Hey Dave – you just keep on doing what you are doing. I believe that the young people have the answers to many of the issues that surround them ( and us) in the world today – they might need some help finding them along the way and interacting with someone like you might be the way to do that!