“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
How many times do kids get hit with this question? Heck...this is even a question that adults struggle to answer at times! I know I did!
Ashley Savage, a recent high school graduate and a current student at the University of Central Arkansas, has crafted the PERFECT answer…
I want to be A LOT!!!
That’s right! You don’t have to choose one thing nor do students have to feel trapped or pressured to decide at a young age what they want to do with the rest of their life. Adults often believe they are helping students reflect thoughtfully on their future but actually, inadvertently, creating stress and anxiety about having to decide or getting “trapped” into a path they can’t escape.
Flexibility and the ability to adjust and adapt to an ever-changing landscape are critical skills and it is essential that we encourage a mindset based on openness and possibility.
Shelley and I recently had a deep and gut-wrenching discussion with our son about his future and his college decision...one that led him to a last minute and chaotic change of heart on both his major AND his college. In that discussion, we emphasized that he need not feel trapped by any decision he had previously made nor limited in any decision that he may make in the present. Life is long! It has many twists and turns but no matter what path you choose it is ALWAYS your prerogative to switch...and to do it as many times as you want. Changing your mind is fine. Believing and acting as if you are stuck is NOT. (Parenthetical props: What Shelley was able to accomplish in getting this switch made and our son enrolled and off to a new college choice in a matter of days was superhuman in nature. Truly an amazing mother!)
If you want to encourage and inspire young students with this mindset of possibility, Ashley’s children’s book, I Want to be a Lot is a great place to start. We are so excited to partner with such a young and talented writer to bring this wonderful message to the world. The illustrations are beautifully done by Genesis Kohler. I have referenced this book with not only my teenage son, but also in THREE different consulting conversations with adults making career decisions.
An incredible complement to Ashley’s book would be Cannonball In by Tara Martin. This gorgeous (again illustrated by Genesis Kohler) picture book is based on a true story from her childhood and is a motivating and uplifting read on risk-taking and seizing opportunities in life. So many youngsters (and YES adults!) let fear hold them back from tackling new challenges and they will be inspired to “cannonball in” and make their splash!
Tara has created a NEXT LEVEL and amazing set of book resources for you to be able to make the absolute most out of this message. The resources include activities, lesson plans, writing prompts, interactive QR codes for stations, information on how to use the #BookSnaps with the book, and MORE! You can find her book RIGHT HERE and please, please go see the resource page RIGHT HERE. You will not be able to leave the resource page without seeing tons of ways to use this book immediately in your class.
Thanks much! Don’t forget...we aren’t just talking about kids!! YOU can be a lot and cannonball in to your life, too!!
Dave
PS: Who do you know that would be interested in I Want to Be a Lot or Cannonball In? We would be forever grateful if you shared! And...the holidays are coming up fast!! Both books are getting RAVE reviews from teachers and parents using them already!
PSS: Find I Want to Be a Lot HERE and Cannonball In HERE. Twitter and Instagram hashtags are #IWantToBeALot and #Cannonballin.