WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME TO FINISH SCHOOL AND BECOME AN ACHIEVER?

I like the word “achievers”!  To me it implies doing something useful with one’s life.  I like it because we can all become achievers! We sometimes want to call people successful in their lives. That comes with achieving goals that we set for ourselves that are attainable and measureable. For example, while I was a classic underachiever in school I did have some goals that I achieved. In high school my main focus was throwing the discus and the shot put, and I was in love with the sport. I set goals for myself and came inches away from meeting them. But the process taught me a lot; if I put my mind to something I really wanted to do I could succeed at it.  My goal in college was simply to graduate. Looking back, I think it should have been higher relative to grades!! Some people, like me in school, just coast through without any strong desire to be all we can be. The consequences range from not doing anything with our lives to despair. We can change that if we try! Goal setting early on doesn’t need to be complicated or high reaching. Even simple goals that we achieve will help us and give us confidence to set even higher goals as we go our way.  They become stepping stones to really making something out of our natural talents that make a difference in the world! And, improving our own lives!  The benefits to being an achiever are immense: • Earned self-esteem from achieving goals gives us confidence and courage to step out and do more. • In the case of our work life, achievers make more money, enjoy their work more, and get more opportunities. • Achieving something brings joy to our lives. I experiencde a lot of joy in finishing first in track meets in high school as the result of lots of practice and work. All the achievers I know are happy people! • Achievers get an education that benefits them by creating skills and knowledge that will serve them well in life. They set goals for grades and at the least, for completion of their education. • Achievers use their time wisely, still setting some aside for fun too.  The result is a balanced life. • Achievers are not necessarily rich and famous; we can all become an achiever! In Minneapolis city schools the high school graduation rate is very low, just a bit over 50%.  I believe that inspiring young people to become achievers and do something useful with their lives will benefit them and the rest of us too! And, indeed, their is something in it for them!