Get The Small Things Right
Teenagers... No one gift of hormones, chaos and wishful thinking is alike. After having successfully made it through one, I still have three to go. Honestly, somedays, I wish there was a place where I could borrow patience. Luckily, I had the pleasure to listen to a great speaker. Those words of advice from a U.S. Armed Forces Veteran may just be the answer to my prayers for raising teenagers.
Numbers and straight lines are a way of life. Think back to your first days of school. The first skill that we all learned was how to get in line. After learning to say "present" during roll call, finding your place in line, taking your seat at the table, or standing in your assigned place during class pictures, there was little else to be learned about orderliness.
As I have gotten older, I have realized that not everyone remembers those early lessons learned. As children and adults, we certainly understand their importance. Teenagers on the other hand have a very short-sighted view of things. They need constant reminders about what makes the world go round.
So what gives... How can we help our teenagers to stay focused and keep it together? According to one of our Hometown Heroes, we need to focus on the small stuff. If you can handle the small stuff everytime, you'll be in a better position to handle the big stuff when it comes barreling at you.
For teenagers, the small stuff is often what is overlooked and deemed insignificant. However, the small stuff is what lines path to personal succeas.
- Arrive on time
- Dress the part
- Complete your assignments
- Use the magic words
- Be kind to others
- Get ready for tomorrow
One of the biggest daily struggles that we have is leaving the house on time every morning. As you can imagine, this means that we make it just in the nick-of-time almost everywhere. As I have said in How Not To Be A Soccer Mom, arriving early avoids stress and tears. Arrive early enough to start on time.
In the words of Coco Chanel, "Dress like you are going to see your worst enemy today." Remind your teen that people judge your character by your appearance. Always dress neatly and according to the dress code. First impressions and thirtieth impressions count.
Aside from following directions, one of the most important life skills is to be able to carry something from start to finish. In middle and high school, this includes completing all assignments and doing them correctly. School is training for life. When you get your first job at a fast food restaurant, no one is going to thank you for an incomplete order.
Please and thank you are the magic words. Being cordial and polite to others is one of the key components of forming relationships. No one goes out of their way to make friends with a Grumpy George or a Sour Sue. On the opposite side of the coin, no one likes feeling unappreciated. Always express your gratitude.
As an add-on to using the magic words, be kind to others. Invite the new guy or gal to hang out for lunch. Help someone who has fallen to their feet. Congratulate the losing opponent on a job well done. Hold the door open for the person behind you. Say "Good Morning" or the equivalent when you walk into a room. The big being kind bonus: it will make you feel better about yourself and your day.
As my grandma used to say, "I'll see you tomorrow if the Lord says the same." These words showed humility that another day is not promised and acknowledgement that you live for tomorrow. So before you go to bed, prepare for what you will need to arrive on time tomorrow. Statistically, we're quite likely to make it well into our seventies. For teens, that equals a lot of possible tomorrows.
Finally, the speaker (whose name I did not write down) quoted another soldier whom he had heard speak (didn't get his name either). His first word of advice was to get the small things right. He said to make your bed every morning before you leave for school. That way no matter how your day goes, you'll be reminded that you got one thing right. So, cheers to tight sheets and perfect pillows. Cheers to getting the small things right.