The Elevator to Success is Out of Order, so what happens next?
You have to use the stairs!
No, this blog isn’t about taking the stairs to avoid the elevator Muzak, now called Mood Media, commonly found in elevators. So why am I writing about elevators? Because we are a society that revels in instant gratification. Humor me as I talk about the early days when the hottest technology was using a fax machine that was used to send documents electronically over a telephone network. After waiting 30 minutes you would call the recipient to confirm that they received the document. Fax machines have gone the way of the dinosaur.
Today if asked, are you hungry? Call Uber Eats. Want something tomorrow? You don’t even have to leave your house Amazon will have it there! Sometimes we want something instantly when it would be better for it to have happened more slowly.
Because our grandkids are a source of joy, pride and love I am sharing the idea that maybe we help them feel that tingle of excitement about what they do, sticking with important things through hard times, and living a life they can be proud. Every generation comes in under the influences of the generations before it. The influences of prior generations, us, can teach them that achievement takes a plan, that patience is worth the wait, and maybe that taking the long way, or the right stairs, will earn their success.
So, let’s rally to help motivate our grandkids. We know what it was like, early in their childhood; trying something new was easy. Since we live in a “need it now” society, it can be challenging for us to know how to help them stay motivated and engaged for the long ride.
The first step in my unofficial playbook is to help them to try new things and get them out of their comfort zone. Our goal should be to enable them to accept "leaning into discomfort" and develop skills that will help them in the future. Here are a few tips to help our grandkids find motivation and enjoy life.
Encourage Them to Find a Job
Jobs are a good thing. We all have had one or two in our lifetime, and we know what freedom, responsibility, and having our own money feel like. Don't let them pass up this great life lesson. If your grandkid is interested in specific fields, encourage them to explore them. They get real-world experience while taking on more responsibility - which looks great on resumes. These experiences also help kids learn valuable skills such as problem-solving and communication that will help them later.
Set Realistic Goals
We all need goals if we want our lives to have meaning; however, setting too many lofty goals can overwhelm anyone. It is better for you to sit down with your grandchild and come up with realistic goals they can work towards over time instead of trying to accomplish everything immediately. These goals should be tailored around what they want to do in the long term - whether it's what they want to be doing in 10 years or learning a new skill. This will give them something positive and tangible they can work towards while still having fun!
Remember, we are in this for the long haul. Following up with them while they are learning the skill of holding themselves accountable to attaining those goals. A weekly follow up asking for an update might be just what they need to keep moving forward.
Try New Things Together
Try different activities together – take a cooking class or see an art exhibit at a local museum. Doing these types of activities will challenge you and your grandkids out of their comfort zones together but create unforgettable memories at the same time! It also teaches them the importance of trying new things even if it may feel uncomfortable at first - something that could benefit them later in life if they ever find themselves stuck in a rut.
While this may seem daunting at first glance, it's ultimately rewarding to see how much these steps positively impact their growth and development.
So, take some time today and start helping them using the stairs, one step at a time.
