Hi everyone! I've created a new series of seminars for young students here in India and I'd love to tell you about it! I've named the series “The Habits of Successful Teenagers” and have adapted it from different motivational books to suit a wide range of Indian students.
I launched Part One of “The Habits of Successful Teenagers”. It was a hot day at a slightly poorer school here in Bangalore. I set up the few props I’d be using and a blackboard. Just as I finished, a large crowd of at least a hundred students filed in. I started with a lively introduction. Today’s theme was self worth, habits and success. I began by asking the students if they knew how special and important they are. “Science has proven that there are no two people that are 100% alike in the whole world.” I said “That shows how unique each one of us is.” The room was quiet. “So we should ask ourselves today, ‘What is my purpose in life? What am I here for?” The room went quiet. I could tell they were thinking about it.
First we talked about perspective together and how important it is not to let our mindsets hinder us. Then we talked about positivity vs. negativity. I had two volunteers come on stage. One of them was to vigorously shake a bottle of water. When he was done I had the other volunteer tell me if the water changed. “You see in life we can be just like this water, when life shakes us we can remain calm and positive.” The teenagers loved that example. We talked a lot on this subject; I knew a lot of them must have problems and hardships in their personal lives and probably needed encouragement. I spent time explaining to them that the end result of what they become in life is in their hands, no matter how hard life is right now. I encouraged each one of them that they personally have the power to make their lives better and to make their dreams reality. I knew this point touched a lot of people.
Next we spoke about goals and I named a few points to goal setting. I used P.V. Sindhu, India’s Olympic badminton star, as an example. Our focus was hard work and commitment to reaching goals. The room went wild and they understood the concept well.
Now, the whole theme of the seminar so far had been good habits and a positive perspective with the end goal of achieving personal success. As I was closing I encouraged the students to not only build an personal empire in life, but also to leave a legacy of kindness for others to remember them by. To enforce this point, I threw a cloak on and put on a fake mush and crown. I played selfish Indian king Ravi Raman who was bent on hoarding all the gold he could. Half the girls covered their faces in surprise at his appearance and everyone else was laughing. After raving about my gold, I realized it still didn’t make me happy, and wondered aloud “Who will remember me when I die?” The room went quiet at that line. “Who will remember me?” Even the teachers were thinking about it. I then encouraged the audience to impact and help others in life, because only then will find fulfillment and be remembered.