“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

Dr. Viktor E. Frankl
Man’s Search for Meaning

Recently I was asked to speak to a group of Junior High and High School students about preparing for success in life. Based on some statistical research I had done for another project, I gave them the Steve Johnson nine-step process for essentially guaranteeing success in life.

Nine very simple steps. Regrettably, they all occur during the first 22 or so years of life, when our emotions are raging and our self-control is at its low ebb. Here they are:

Can you make it to the age of 22 without any of these “life anchors:”

1. Children?
2. A criminal record?
3. An addiction?
4. An incurable disease?
5. Life-strangling debt?

Can you achieve these life milestones IN THIS ORDER?

1. An education? (At least high school – bonus for technical, professional, or undergraduate education)
2. A job?
3. A life partner?
4. Children?

Anyone who can successfully execute these nine steps has less than a 1% chance (in the United States) of spending your life in poverty!

Like I said, simple and NOT EASY

Parents – it is our job to educate our children on these facts of life. These facts are things teenagers like to pretend they don’t know so they can “have more fun” and feign ignorance when the consequences of their actions come crashing down on their lives.

Life is about choices. The choices we make at a very early age limit our choices later on. As I told my own children as they were reaching the age of decision and choice, “choose wisely, grasshopper.” USE THE SPACE BETWEEN THE STIMULUS AND THE RESPONSE TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS:

1) Push “Pause”

2)Self-Observe

3)Self-Reflect

4)Consider Actions

5)Decide

6)Push “Play”