Prepared: What Kids Need for a Fulfilled Life

by Diane Tavenner

So imagine a kid who practiced setting a goal, making a plan, executing it, showing what he knew, and reflecting (the self-directed cycle) a ton of times over his life, in school or at home. When he gets a summer job at the local grocery store—restocking shelves, collecting emptied carts, and bagging groceries—out of sheer habit, he uses a similar process to guide his work. He walks into the store each day and recognizes what needs to happen even before his boss tells him what to do. He sets goals for how quickly and efficiently he can collect the carts and devises strategies to do it better each time. He embraces the challenge of making sure every customer’s groceries are packed in a way that nothing gets smashed, they can lift every bag, and they are ready to go by the time the transaction is completed. Contrast that to the kid who is found leaning on counters or lounging around every time he doesn’t have a specific order from a manager. Which kid would you hire? Which kid are you trying to raise?