Of course, what works in the corporate world doesn’t always translate to teenagers. Unfortunately we’ve reached a time and place in the UK where negativity amongst young people is normal. So we’ve tweaked and tailored what we do and how we do it. I still find myself slipping into sounding like my dad and offering fatherly wisdom or, even worse, losing my rag and ranting at the teenagers. I become a caricature of myself. I care so much, I really do. I tell them. I plead with them. ‘You have to change before it’s too late! Happiness is fab! Being positive will save your life?’
Cue blank states and ‘Whatever!’
AAAGGHHHHH
My mate Andy Whittaker does it differently. Oh, and better! Andy doesn’t rant or rave. He challenges their beliefs. Andy does a very simple activity that asks the teenagers to write a short account of their life in 10 years time – one if they’ve lived as a negative mood hoover and one from the perspective of having lived as a positive 2%er. Simplicity. And, I might add, genius. Because it means they are allowed to work it out for themselves.
Check this out, from Hannah, aged 15, from Stoke...
The next 10 years as ‘bog standard’ Hannah. This is what I see, hear and feel...
| I feel tired and ratty! I hear constant nagging in my ear hole like a drill. I stare at 4 walls and an empty room, I look out the window and see a litter filled street with no normal people, everyone alcoholic or filled from scars from drug usage. I don’t have a job, no one will take me, I always relied on dole – it isn’t as good as I thought, not at all. I don’t have friends anymore, I’ve lost my personality. People would describe me as a serious low life. I didn’t achieve and I don’t lead in any kind of lifestyle. I am officially depressed. |  |
The next 10 years as a confident and upbeat Hannah. This is what I see, hear and feel...
| Smiles, people smiling and laughing. Money’s a joke, I could roll around in notes and leave them there. I can hear traffic from the busy streets of the city outside, laughter. I feel good, as always. I live as a film director, life is now my movie, I make it how I like. I’m with the cast and crew writing more film ideas. People would look at me with the look of satisfaction, I am successful. I achieved my dream. What life style do I live? My own. |  |
No ranting required and, by jove, I think she’s got it!
A x
