7 Ways to Help Young People Thrive During Change
Socrates famously said, “The secret of change is focusing all your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new.” Change is one of the few constants in life. By embracing it with a growth mindset, lifelong learning, resilience, creativity, collaboration, technological literacy, and emotional intelligence, we can help our young people (and ourselves) navigate the unknown with confidence and create a fulfilling and successful future for ourselves and those around us.
1. Develop a Growth Mindset: This mindset recognizes that challenges and unfamiliar situations are opportunities for growth and learning. Embracing the idea that your abilities are not fixed, but rather can be developed through dedication and hard work. Believing in the capacity to adapt, learn new skills, and overcome obstacles even if that seems scary or unlikely at the moment.
2. Embrace Lifelong Learning: In a rapidly changing world, continuous learning is key to staying ahead and employed. The World Economic Forum's 2023 Future of Jobs report emphasizes the importance of skills such as complex problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and cognitive flexibility. Helping young people cultivate a hunger for knowledge and seek out opportunities to upskill and reskill will be vital. They need to take advantage of online courses, workshops, and mentorship programs. But learning is not limited to formal education; it can be found in everyday experiences and interactions as well.
3. Foster Resilience and Adaptability: Change nearly always brings uncertainty, which can be uncomfortable and challenging. It's important for young people to develop resilience—the ability to bounce back (or forward) from setbacks and adapt to new circumstances. Cultivate self-care practices, such as exercise, meditation, and maintaining healthy relationships, to build emotional and mental resilience. Embracing a flexible mindset and being open to new ideas are vital.
4. Cultivate Creativity and Innovation: In a world where automation is on the rise, creativity and innovation are highly valued skills. Young people need to embrace their creativity and nurture it through activities that inspire them. Challenge the status quo, think outside the box, explore new possibilities. Innovation usually arises from combining different ideas and perspectives, not eureka moments.
5. Foster Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The world today is interconnected, and collaboration across disciplines is becoming increasingly important. The ability to work effectively in teams, communicate across different fields, and leverage diverse perspectives is crucial. We need to help them to seek out opportunities to collaborate with people from different backgrounds. Embracing diversity and inclusion must be the norm, enhancing creativity and problem-solving.
6. Develop Technological Literacy: Technological advancements are shaping our world, and being technologically literate is no longer an option but a necessity. Embracing new technologies and staying updated on the latest trends is always something that schools have had to grapple with. Young people need opportunities to develop their digital skills, whether it's learning coding, data analysis, or understanding emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence or blockchain.
7. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Amidst rapid change, emotional intelligence is more important than ever and perhaps the one thing that currently AI can’t do. The ability to understand and manage our own emotions, as well as empathize with others, enables effective communication and collaboration. Young people need to develop their emotional intelligence by practicing active listening, seeking feedback, and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment wherever they go.
These seven things may help our young people to thrive during the change they will see in their lives but it doesn’t necessarily take away the fear of change that many of us feel. We can help young people reduce their fear of change by showing them how to allow self-compassion and how to shift their focus. Self-compassion just means treating yourself with the same kindness that you would a close friend. Recognizing that making mistakes, being anxious and inadequacy are things everyone experiences.
To shift our focus we need to first identify what it is we are fearful of. Maybe it is fear of the unknown or of failing at something. Try not to wallow, to obsess or focus too much on it. Instead focus on what you are working towards. What is it I am aiming for or moving towards? What is the outcome I am hoping for? Work out what your compelling destination is and then spend your energies thinking about moving towards this, rather than moving away from something negative.
