You’re a ten year old and it’s time to take control
Hey ten year old, I hope this blog posting finds you well. Your parents have been attempting to teach you for several years but now you’re reading on your own and making your own choices and want to actively participate in making yourself succeed and excel in life.
Inspired by this article by a psychologist on how to teach your kid to be successfull, and the seven habits to strive for, I’ve summarized and created an action plan for a ten year old. Here’s a plan you can teach yourself. Check out the original article if you have a chance.
Goal #1 – Be self-confident
Self-confidence: This means believing in yourself and your abilities. You can develop self-confidence by trying new things, learning from your mistakes, and celebrating your achievements. Don’t let others put you down or make you doubt yourself. Remember that you have strengths and talents that make you unique and valuable.
- Exercise: Make a list of 10 things that you are good at or enjoy doing. For example, you might write: I am good at math, I enjoy playing soccer, I can draw well, etc. Then, read the list out loud to yourself every morning and evening. This will help you boost your self-esteem and confidence.
Goal #2 – Have empathy
Empathy: This means feeling and understanding what others are going through. You can develop empathy by paying attention to people’s emotions, asking them how they feel, and showing them kindness and compassion. Empathy helps you build positive relationships and avoid conflicts.
- Exercise: Think of someone who is different from you in some way, such as their appearance, culture, religion, or hobbies. Then, write a letter to them from their perspective, explaining how they feel and what they want. For example, you might write: Dear friend, I am a Muslim girl who wears a hijab. I feel proud of my faith and identity, but sometimes I also feel scared and lonely when people stare at me or say mean things to me. I want to be accepted and respected for who I am, just like you. This will help you practice putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and empathizing with them although do remember your words and observations are not necciserrily theirs.
Goal #3 – Practice self-control
Self-control: This means managing your impulses, emotions, and behaviors. You can develop self-control by setting goals, making plans, and following rules. Self-control helps you stay focused, calm, and productive.
- Exercise: Choose a goal that you want to achieve, such as finishing your homework, cleaning your room, or learning a new skill. Then, break down the goal into smaller steps and write them down on paper or a calendar. For example, you might write: Monday – do math problems 1-10; Tuesday – do math problems 11-20; Wednesday – review math problems and check answers; etc. Then, follow your plan and check off each step as you complete it. This will help you practice self-discipline and self-regulation.
Goal #4 – Have integrity
Integrity: This means being honest, fair, and responsible. You can develop integrity by telling the truth, keeping your promises, and admitting your mistakes. Integrity helps you earn trust and respect from others.
- Exercise: Think of a time when you did something wrong or made a mistake, such as lying to your friends, cheating on a test, or breaking something. Then, write an apology letter to the person or people who were affected by your action. For example, you might write: “Dear mom and dad, I am sorry for lying to you about cleaning the cat box. I know that you were worried about the cat’s bowels and that I broke your trust by not cleaning it and making you think there was something wrong with the cat. I will not do it again and I will tell you the truth from now on.” This will help you practice honesty and accountability.
Goal #5 – be curious about everything
Curiosity: This means being eager to learn new things and explore new ideas. You can develop curiosity by asking questions, reading books, and trying different activities. Curiosity helps you expand your knowledge and skills.
- Exercise: Pick a topic that interests you or that you want to learn more about, such as animals, space, history, or art. Then, do some research on the topic using books, websites, videos, or podcasts. For example, you might search for: How do elephants communicate? What are the planets in our solar system? Who was Leonardo da Vinci? What is impressionism? Then, write down three facts that you learned about the topic and share them with someone else. This will help you practice curiosity and learning.
Goal #6 – Persevere
Perseverance: This means working hard and not giving up when things get tough. You can develop perseverance by setting challenges, overcoming obstacles, and seeking feedback. Perseverance helps you achieve your goals and overcome failures.
- Exercise: Think of something that is hard for you to do or that you want to improve on, such as playing an instrument, speaking a language, or solving a puzzle. Then, set a challenge for yourself to practice the skill for a certain amount of time or until you reach a certain level of proficiency. For example, you might challenge yourself to: Play the guitar for 15 minutes every day; Learn 10 new words in Spanish every week; Solve a Sudoku puzzle in under 10 minutes; etc. Then, track your progress and ask for feedback from someone who can help you improve. This will help you practice perseverance and growth mindset.
Goal #7 – be an optimist
- Optimism: This means having a positive outlook on life and expecting good things to happen. You can develop optimism by expressing gratitude, finding solutions, and looking for opportunities. Optimism helps you cope with stress and enjoy happiness.
- Exercise: Think of three things that you are grateful for or that make you happy every day. For example, you might be grateful for: Your family and friends; Your health and safety; Your hobbies and passions; etc. Then, write them down in a journal or a notebook and say thank you to them. This will help you practice gratitude and positivity.
