What to Say to Kids About their Future
My oldest is a fresh
man in high school so I’ve got to start formulating my big girl advice.
What should we tell our kids about preparing for life and work these days? You know how the economy is not so good.
For the most part I’m inclined toward the very practical: Study something that will get you a job. Be realistic. But when it comes to my kids and the life they’ll lead I find myself wanting to shout, “DO WHAT YOU LOVE!” I hope they are able to find something they love and I hope they can do something they love well.
Perhaps that’s why I’m looking to famous rock stars and writers as I figure out what I’m going to say to my kids when they can’t decide what to do with their lives. I really like the commencement address Neil Gaiman gave graduates at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts. He focuses on preparing to live in a freelance world. Even if you aren’t in a creative field, now jobs are catch as one can and few people work at the same company their whole life. You kind of have to hustle. (It’s such a bummer–but kind of . . . invigorating?)
Neil Gaiman explains that you need to do good work, on time, and be easy to get along with–but you can get by on two out of those three things. Pretty sound advice.
He recommends doing something I’ve always believed works: Pretend to be a wise person and behave like a wise person would behave. Pretty sound advice.
In the end he encourages you to leave the world more interesting for your being here. Pretty sound advice. Watch the whole address here.
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Neil Gaiman’s advice kind of sounds a lot like Chris Clark’s advice on how to be a favorite. Wise words from wise people. As for your kids, they are so lucky they have you leading the way. Seriously.
This is advice that I think applies to our kids even more than it applied to us growing up. I will be as bold to say that my famous rock star brother tells his nieces and nephews the same thing. It’s good advice.