Friday, April 1, 2011

One Piece of Advice

In celebration of the early release of Christine Fonseca's 101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids, I'm offering up some advice today.



If I could give a child one piece of advice for life, it would be: Take many classes, explore many options, travel many roads so you can find what it is you like. Then do what you like.

What would you say?

Grab the graphic if you want, post on your blog!

45 comments:

Emily White said...

That is such great advice! I wish someone had told me this when I was younger. Luckily, I learned it on my own (eventually), but sometimes I feel like I wasted too many years trying to do something I thought I should do rather than what I wanted to do.

Andrea Mack said...

My advice is not to worry too much about what other people are doing. Sometimes kids think they have to follow the same plan as everyone else (graduate the same time, go to university at the same time). But everyone's pace and path are different.

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's such great advice. It's so important that kids experience a lot to find what they like and then focus on it. That's what I've told my daughter and what she's doing now with her love of swimming and science.

Theresa Milstein said...

I'd say:

Don't let one person's negative comment sear into your brain. If you want something, work hard at it. Believe in yourself.

Have a great weekend.

Vicki Rocho said...

Always be proud to be yourself.

Karen Baldwin said...

"Your thoughts and words are the most powerful ones you'll ever hear. Listen closely, and you'll find your truth."

LM Preston said...

I love it! Great advice and wisdom.

Matthew MacNish said...

I would say: Live, love, and always tell the truth. Life is too short for anything else.

B.E. Sanderson said...

Awesome advice, Elana. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be: Don't worry so much about what other people think or whether they'll like you.

Ella said...

Great post, I so agree! I think it is important to follow YOUR dream, but have plans, A, B and C.

Christine Fonseca said...

OOhh...GREAT ADVICE! Thanks for starting this Elana! Hope you're feeling better.

Jessie Harrell said...

great advice! I think I'd say (learning from my own mistakes) - don't be in such a rush to grow up that you miss out on opportunities that you'll never have again.

Liza said...

Do not cave in to mediocrity.

Unknown said...

Great advice! Figure it out while you're young so you're not floundering as an adult! Hehe!

Mary said...

Such great advice from you and commenters!

My advice: Be bold enough to try new things, brave enough to accept failure, flexible enough to change, and open enough to accept possibilities.

kah said...

Wee said. My advice is a quote (just can't remember who said it) but it would be: Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you are right.

Happy Friday!

Buffy Andrews said...

This is from a column I wrote but I think it sums up my advice. Here's the column link if you want to read it (http://buffyswritezone.blogspot.com/2009/08/we-learn-from-our-failures.html)

Failing is OK. We learn from our failures. They make us stronger and more determined to succeed. Force us to admit our shortcomings and figure out how to overcome them. We have only truly failed when we allow the Monster of Defeat to overpower us and hold us down.
We don’t always understand the defining moments of our lives as they are happening. But when we look back, we can clearly see that along with the hits and home runs there are some strikes and strikeouts and that together they make the game. In the end, the winner is one who learns to deal with both.

Anonymous said...

Never give up. Never ever give up!

AE Rought said...

Be grateful, and whenever possible pay it forward. Positive energy creates more positive energy. Being a whiner only makes things worse. (a little preachy this morning--giving myself a scolding via your blog.)

Unknown said...

Great advice. It is great for kids and adults too.

Deni Krueger said...

It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer.

-Albert Einstein

Tracey Neithercott said...

Great advice, especially for kids today who seem to be so eager to grow up--to high school or college or a job. I love the idea that it's okay not to know what you want to do with your life at the age of 14.

Elana Johnson said...

Wow, so much great advice today! Thanks everyone! I love the "whether you think you can or think you can't" one. Brilliant!

Carolyn V said...

Don't forget the important things.

Michelle Merrill said...

Great advice! I've always loved the saying, "Stand for something or you'll fall for anything."

Unknown said...

Good Advice. I tell my grandchildren to never let fear stop them from trying something new!

Krispy said...

OH, I love this advice! I'd say, Never give up! :)

Sara B. Larson said...

Hope you are feeling better, E! And what great advice. So excited for Christine and her new book. :)

Hannah said...

Follow your dreams. Work hard to get them! Great post.

Marsha Sigman said...

My one piece of advice would be...don't drink the Kool-aid.

Think for yourself.

kathrynjankowski said...

Trust your instincts. They're usually right. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Everyone around you who seems self-confident is probably as insecure as you are or maybe more. They're just better at faking it.

Corey Schwartz said...

Don't sweat the small stuff! (something I have failed miserably at myself and have not successfully imparted to my own kids!

Anita Saxena said...

I 100% agree. Too often do people commit to careers and realize when it's too late that it's not the right career for them.

Jemi Fraser said...

There are a couple of things I always tell my students:

Find your joy & you'll find your job.

Don't close any doors on yourself.

Anonymous said...

Don't eat yellow snow.

Peggy said...

That's some excellent advice! I think I'll pass that right along to my kids.

Corinne O said...

Excellent advice Elana... will add to mine:

Treat others the way you wish to be treated.

and

Be Kind.

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss elana! my mom gave us kids lots of good advice stuff. heres the one i remember most. always do you very best in everything you do.
...hugs from lenny

Valerie Ipson said...

I would say, "Everyone has a gift (actually gifts plural) and though it may take awhile to discover yours, it's there, and it will bless your life and the lives of others when you share it."

Author Joshua Hoyt said...

I think that I would tell a child to relax. Forgive your parents they are new to the job. Work hard and play just as hard. And most importantly go after your dreams, don't let people tell you that you can't.

Anita said...

Love people.

LTM said...

don't be so afraid to try something new. Or to go it alone.

Those two fears kept me paralyzed for a long time... :o) <3

amberargyle said...

Learn to be happy.

amberargyle said...

Changed my mind: Love yourself. Respect yourself. Cause if you don't, no one else will.

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