Spring break is over and now you are on the final push to summer. So, what’s your plan? Yes, you do need a plan. You wouldn’t expect me to expect any less of you would you? I’m all about making plans and challenging you to do the same. This is a critical time of the year. My experience in working with teens the last 19 years has shown me that it is often at this point in the year that many teens make poor choices. Why?
Apathy kicks in. Spring fever takes over. The sweet smell of summer…call it whatever, but know this: You gotta finish strong! Don’t start living in the days of summer before they actually arrive. Keep pushing yourself until the last day of school to do what is right for you, your health and your future. Here are five words for you to consider:
GPA – - Your grade point average is exactly that – an AVERAGE! This means that every grade counts up until the very last one you make in every class this school year. Slacking off in class in these last few weeks could cost you all the hard work you’ve put in for the past 32+ weeks.
PROM – - Prom can be whatever you make it to be. Go ahead, ask her (him) to the big dance! Have fun, get your look on and dance the night away. But don’t forget, just because it’s a big night with big anticipation and big plans doesn’t mean anything goes.
FUTURE – - Your future is really up to you. You get to decide what you do with your life. And, your future is taking shape everyday with every decision you make. Be careful how you decide what you do and who you do it with. You never know when you are creating a memory…or a tragedy!
RIGHT – - Commit to do the right thing, even when the right thing isn’t popular. Slow down, think about your choices and then move forward with confidence. Doing more things faster is no substitute for doing the right thing. Remember, it takes less time to do things right, than to explain why you did them wrong.
FRIENDS – - As I often say, your friends will determine the direction and the quality of your life. Who you spend time with shapes who you become. Take time to take an inventory of your relationships. Ask yourself, “Do my friends push me towards what is right, or pull towards what is wrong?”
These 5 words are important ones for you right now. Take the time to think through them. Do what is necessary to make the appropriate changes to your life. And remember, you will never regret doing what is right!