What woulkd your advice be to a kid in the 8th grade for their personal future?

OK, let's assume some kid (male or female) comes to you and says they would like your input as to what they should do to have a happy and successful life in their future. What would you tell them? As the wise and insightful being you are, what would you tell them they would need to do, to have a bright and happy life?

Remember...Trump and Clinton will only be vague memories to them 20 or 30 years from now. So any mention of present day politics would be a disservice to them on the grand scale of things.

I would tell them these few majorly important things. I would tell them to:

1. GET A SKILL SOMEONE WILL PAY YOU HANDSOMELY FOR. a vocation that will pay the bills is very important, no matter what your political leanings, unless, of course, you are like some who want this whole country destroyed and in the toilet. This means have the common sense to get a skill you can do that pays well. I would also tell them a lot of people change their professions every 7 years or so, but not their fundamental vocation.

2. DO NOT...DO NOT DISCUSS POLITIC IN THE WORKPLACE. You might find yourself out of a job, or never promoted. This is a fact in the real world. Stay neutral.

3. AVOID TROUBLE WITH THE LAW. The implications now in this day and age are horrible. They might not even be able to fly on a plane, ride a buss, or take a train anywhere. Welcome to Big Brother land.

4. DON"T MAKE BABIES. At their young age, a baby will severely limit their potential and what they want to get out of life. There are also tons of ways to prevent this other than abstinence. Horny kids are NOT going to be abstinent. Just let it sink in how much a baby will weigh them down. Right now, I know of three 16 year old kids that have kids of their own.

5. LEARN TO READ AND WRITE EFFECTIVELY. I have always know the mark of an educated person is how well they can write, and how well they can interpret the written word. Too many in this world only read bits and pieces of what was written and come away with a completely different point than what was said. I offer any flame war on any forum as evidence as to the lack of this skill.

6. LEARN TO LISTEN. Actually listen attentively to what someone is telling you, so you can also know and understand what they said. Most people are pretty think when it comes to listening to someone, and having an understanding of what they were told. Those that DO have listening skills, are rare, and valuable. They need to develop listening skills.

7. SAVE MONEY. Even a small amount. If you only make $150 a week, that is hard, but see if you can squirrel away a $5 bill in a book each and every payday. This simple act will put you in the mindset of saving SOMETHING. I once heard on TV the average American is only $400 away from a major financial hit.

In other words, if we suddenly have to come up with something in those numbers, it would clean us out. Ensure it does not happen by a saving goal of $500 to $1,000 if you are single and $2,000 squirreled away cash if you are a couple. It will be a life saver when Sh*t hits the fan. I actually have a zipper pouch with Awe Sh!t! writtern on it for just those reasons. Remember, bail bondsmen only take cash.

OK, these are my thoughts I would tell a kid in the 8th grade as to what to do in their life for later on.

I would be interested in the advice you would give them.

I stayed gender neutral because I am not qualified to give female specific advice to a young lady. YOU, should, however, feel free to do so.

I will also be taking notes on yours that are really good.

Thank you all,
RNS

1) Get as much education as you possibly can... and take your education seriously. Education and knowledge are the best weapons anyone can have in their toolbox.
2) Don't let anyone else tell you what you should be "when you grow up". Doing something you hate will sap the soul right from you. Doing something you like makes every day easier.
3) Steer clear of drama. It may be fun to watch, but if you get involved, the stress and problems that it will create will be unpleasant.
4) Tell the truth. Firstly, the reputation you will get by being honest is invaluable. Secondly, telling the truth means that remembering what you did will be so much easier.
5) Follow the "Golden Rule". Going to bed with a clear conscious of what you did during the day helps you to not have regrets and feel good about your actions.
6) Don't expect others to behave as you do. Focus on yourself. If you get angry that others don't care as much or take things as seriously, you will only be getting upset about thing that you can't control.
7) Focus on the things you can control, not the things you can't.
8) Don't do anything half-assed.
9) Keep the big picture in mind, but stay focused on what's right in front of you. If you are climbing a staircase, it's nice to think about the landing, but focus on the step in front of you. If you focus too much on the landing, you might miss the step and fall.
10) Make sure you find time to have fun. Find a hobby or something you enjoy and do it as often as is possible. Without fun, joy goes right out the window... and that can lead to a very unfulfilling life.
11) Be kind to yourself. We all make mistakes. Learn from them, don't destroy yourself because of them. We all do good things. Compliment yourself, don't just blow them off as "what you're supposed to do".
12) Learn to present yourself well. You could have the greatest idea since the dawn of man... and if you don't know how to communicate it well, no one will care or even listen.
13) Try to understand the journey of those you admire. By understanding their journey and how they got to where they are, you can understand how you could get there too.
14) Learn to cook, to do laundry, to manage money, and to transport yourself. These things will allow you to live independently.

Those are the big ones I can think of at the moment... and things I tell many of the teens of which I work.

Just 2 things. Your body is a temple, don't let other kids talk you into drugs or booze. Both of those can ruin the entire rest of you life, all for a few perceived moments of enjoyment or cool factor.

And second, never stop learning. You don't have to be in school to learn. If you find yourself in college courses and you don't know a bunch of things, pursue that knowledge. Same if you're out of college. Never stop learning. Planet earth is a giant classroom, with infinite things to teach.

1- you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. Don't let people sh1t all over you, but if you treat people with respect you really do get more in return.

2- Judge not, there but for the Grace of God go I.. Don't judge other people or make fun of their limitations and/or looks, handicaps, etc..

3- learn to laugh at yourself. It helps to keep you sane.

4- get a job you are going to enjoy. A large part of your life will be your job. so you might as well enjoy it.

5- don't sweat the little things.

6- don't worry about things you can't control. I know people who get all depressed and bummed because they are getting older. Why? They can't control that, so why worry about it?

7- take up a hobby. something, anything to take the edge off when things do get tense, because sometimes they will.