A Few More Ideas on Equipping Generation iY
All week, I have blogged a list of ideas we can use to guide Generation Y out of adolescence and into adulthood; out of an existence that surrounds “me” and into one that surrounds the needs of others. This is what growing up (maturity) is all about. Let me offer a couple more ideas below to close the list. 9.
More Ideas to Equip Generation iY
This is blog post number four on my list of ideas we can employ as we work with students. These are practical action steps to take as you attempt to build healthy habits and attitudes in them. I call the latest batch of Generation Y, Generation iY, because of the impact of the “I” world -- the Internet. It has
Still More Ideas to Equip Generation iY
This week, I am drilling down on practical ideas you can use to equip Generation Y (or the students I call Generation iY who have been born since 1990). I have a couple more suggestions below to add to our list… 5. Help them to focus. Generation Y often becomes fuzzy because they scatter themselves so thin in a variety of different
More Ideas to Equip Generation iY
In my last blog post, I started a list of idea -- practical action steps -- you can take as you lead young people today -- Generation Y, or the latest batch of Y which I call: Generation iY (the kids born since 1990). I want to continue the ideas with a couple of more below. Based on their lifestyles,
What You Can Do to Equip Generation iY
Over the last several weeks, I have blogged about the research on the latest batch of students; the ones I call Generation iY. (They kids born since 1990). They are different in their decision-making skills, communication methods, values, and style than earlier generations. So, what do we do? If the research is true, how can we help Generation iY respond
Our Last Chance to Save Their Future
OK. I recognize I’ve been talking about this for months now. Actually, almost two years. The good news? I’m finally ready to stop merely talking and deliver the goods. I have finished a new book that will respond to the challenges, and even crises we face as we attempt to connect with this new generation of students. I cannot tell you
Atrophied Muscles in Generation iY (Part Two)
In my last blog post, I suggested that just like muscles shrink -- or atrophy -- when they’ve been in a cast for weeks, our culture has created a world where we don’t have to exercise certain emotional, social, intellectual, or spiritual muscles we used to need in the past. People skills and virtues were more prevalent in the past
Atrophy
Muscle atrophy. We all know someone who broke an arm or leg, and had it in a cast for four to six weeks. When the cast is removed -- the muscles underneath are deformed and reduced. It’s called “disuse muscular atrophy.” When muscles are not used or exerted, they shrink. This phenomenon has been studied widely in astronauts who experience
Abandonment or Abundance
I believe nearly every struggle a kid has today can be summarized with one of two words: abandonment or abundance.
Nine Reasons for Neverland
In my last blog post, I spoke of a shift in our culture that has especially impacted students born since 1990. They’ve gotten stuck and won’t grow up. This shift actually has been slowly evolving throughout the 20th century. There has been a perfect storm of elements that have contributed to the state of our current culture that we, as leaders,
The Case Against Screens for Teens and Children
Michelle Obama has launched a crusade against obesity in children in the U.S. It’s a noble cause. May I dig a bit deeper and share one “obese reason” why young people struggle with this problem?
Steps You Can Take to Help Students with Commitment…
I have been musing over the last three blog posts about how difficult it is for this emerging generation to make and keep commitments. Especially long term commitments. Our organization, Growing Leaders, is in front of about 50,000 students and staff each year. We see it everywhere we go. Passionate students only work when the cause is “fashionate.” So, how
How Commitment Works
Let me ask you a question. How long did your New Year’s Resolution last? Or, based on past failures, did you even make one this year? Most of us fail to keep commitments because we don’t realize how commitment works. We want to move from a “wish” to a “lifestyle” overnight—and it usually doesn’t work that way. The following
Involved But Not Committed
I describe most students today with this phrase: Involved but not committed. It’s a Habitude, from Book One of our series: Habitudes: Images That Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes. It is called, “The Half-Hearted Kamikaze.” The syndrome is illustrated by the kamikaze pilot who flew in World War II for the Japanese Air Force. He was still alive after fifty
When Convenience Eclipses Commitment
In my last post, I blogged how students (and adults for that matter) struggle with commitment. Let me summarize what I believe has happened, then suggest how commitment works with students. We live in a world of convenience. Kids today have been called the “disposable” generation because everything can be thrown away when they’re finished with it. No commitment has to
Drawing Commitments From Gen Y
I have a friend whose son made the varsity basketball team his freshman year of high school. He worked hard to make the team, so we were all proud of him. Because he was a first year student, however, he didn’t get a lot of playing time, and approached his dad with an idea. “Dad, I’m sitting on the bench
You Can’t Have It Both Ways…
The Connection Between Freedom and Responsibility If you’re a parent of a teenager, you know this scenario. You lay down boundaries for your kid, but they respond by saying, “You treat me like a child! I’m not a child anymore -- you need to treat me like an adult.” Usually the conversation spirals downward at this point. The parent tries to explain