Look for unique opportunities or simply better situations and options than you have now. Create a curiosity mindset and an opportunity mindset so that your mind is always in search mode. You will find amazing things by training your mind in this way.
If you choose to believe people are bad, you’ll look for evidence of it. And you’ll find it. Sometimes it’s one anecdotal event or word. Or you might bend words or slightly misinterpret actions to fit your desired perspective.
You can also look for the good in people.
As everyone holds good and bad characteristics, looking for the good ones may make life more enjoyable.
In your relationships, in your work and in play. Seek out magic. Look for those little sparks of joy and excitement. Find them for the first time or rekindle them. Magic is such a wonderful thing. Don’t let it disappear.
If you really want something, you will find a way. If it is not as important to you, you’ll do something else. That is simply human nature. We are drawn toward or we avoid. You may even say we find something else to do, rather than we are avoiding something.
It is part of the procrastination process. If you keep putting something off, think about the thing a little bit. What do you like about it? Why is it supposed to be important? Is there a big impact if you do or don’t do it? Try to put your finger on why you are not doing something. It can be quite revealing, useful and powerful to assess what is going on.
Find a way. If you really want what that success will bring.
The world has changed. It does that. Sometimes it tilts to good and sometimes it tilts to bad. However, advice for a 14 year old should probably look quite similar regardless of society, technology or wealth.
One idea for a 14 year old would be to take actions to get better at something, Aim to be in the top 5% within 12 months. The action required could be more revision to improve school test scores. It could also involve learning a sport, hobby or instrument. It is amazing what 20 minutes a day can do over 3 months.
Getting better at something increases confidence, helps people understand how learning, goals and discipline work. In addition, you learn about the compound effect of building skill upon skill, how habits help and also the key elements of time, effort and patience.
Learning to seek and find is another key piece of advice. Don’t wait for the coach to select you or a job to fall in your lap. Ask your parents, teachers or a search engine how you can improve. Decide what you want to try now and look into it. This may involve joining a club, watching YouTube highlights or how to clips. It could even mean getting a book from the library. Speak to several people to give you different perspectives.
This is advice for a 14 year old. It’s also good advice for a 41 year old.
The entire world seems to be on an edge with unprecedented events happening weekly. You must search for your opportunity and then focus on it. Make this your moment. Ignore the distractions because this could be your time. Focus on your opportunity.
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
Albert Einstein
