Masterminds
Peer pressure is unquestionably one of the most powerful forces we will encounter in our lives, regardless of age. That being the case, the force of peer pressure coupled with the normal vulnerability and naivete of the average teenager can be devastating on the one hand, or the greatest thing they could encounter on the other. It all depends on who they allow to be in their Mastermind Group.
Napoleon Hill wrote the book “Think and Grow Rich” in 1937, inspired by Andrew Carnegie, the steel manufacturing magnate. What is
a Mastermind Group and how does it apply to our teenagers? First of all, Hill defines a mastermind as “coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose.” In simpler terms, it defines your circle of friends and associates and what benefit you bring to each other, or handicap. Choose wisely.
I have been speaking with John and Drew right much lately about the basic art of ”keeping” friends and what to search for in terms of forming their own “mastermind group”. Take these two for instance, both guys bring different qualities to the core of their own group. John has qualities that Drew doesn’t and vice versa. Both guys are basically good fellows and when you combine the perspectives, personalities and talents of both of them you form sort of a “third person” that could be quite awesome! Now imagine perpetuating this accumulation of perspectives and resources; future riches become more inevitable than any other expectation. Rich being a very broad term.
When I extol the virtues of this dynamic to both of them, I do so with great things in mind for their future associations and the power and wonder these friendships can create. I can’t choose their friends for them, no matter how much advice and experience I can add to the equation. I wrote a piece recently called “Opinion and Knowledge” based on these very conversations. It is my job as a dad to guide and advise my children towards every advantage within my power. I wish I were more powerful! I am thankful to have friends and associates to back me up! Talk with you soon.
How do you deal with peer pressure with your children? What challenges do you face?
Peer pressure and social media are BY FAR the greatest influences in the day to day lives of especially my youngest two teens right now and it is in fact, quite frightening!! This age group is already naturally at risk of taking some wrong turns and the peer influence is a recipe for HIGH risk – literally what I worry about most!