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We're all constantly obsessed with our personal productivity (Yes, you too). Yet, in a world that's constantly buzzing with activity, productivity has become more than just staying on top of our goals.
It's about teaching our kids the art of managing their time, energy, and focus to make the most out of every day. Since tomorrow is World Productivity Day (yes, there’s a day for that), let’s dive in and discover how it can shape the future of our kidpreneurs. After all, being productive isn't just about checking off tasks—it's about fostering a mindset of efficiency, effectiveness, and accomplishment in everything they do!
Start by explaining what productivity means and why it's important. You can use relatable examples like working smarter not harder, making time for fun, and setting achievable goals like saving up for Disneyland! Keep the conversation light and engaging, and let their curious minds take the lead.
5 tips to help your kids become productivity superheroes
Productivity for kids refers to their ability to manage their time, energy, and resources effectively and efficiently to accomplish tasks and assignments.
But hey, we want our kids to choose productivity not just for the sake of achieving their goals, but because it brings them joy, fulfillment, and a sense of pride in themselves and their choices.
So let's jump into these 5 tips to help your kids become productivity superheroes 🦸🦸♀️
1. Mastermind Lists
Start each day with a to-do list like this template with a digital checklist. From school tasks to chores and exciting adventures, guide them in prioritizing their day and experiencing the thrill of ticking off completed missions.
2. Energy Boost Quests
Encourage your children to incorporate short bursts of physical activity during their study or work sessions. Instead of sitting for long periods, suggest taking brief exercise breaks to get their blood flowing and rejuvenate their minds.
3. Chore Champions
What’s more important than teaching them how to do chores? How to do them productively and in manageable chunks. Kids who do chores are more likely to be successful later in life. So assign age-appropriate tasks that contribute to the harmony of your superhero lair.
4. Emotion Warriors
When things don't go as expected, it's a good opportunity to teach them how to handle their frustration and find calm in any situation. Whether it's a private chat or some alone time, let them know it's okay to be upset and praise them when they handle emotions well to boost their confidence.
5. Productivity Playmakers
Transform mundane tasks into exciting challenges with rewarding power-ups like extra playtime, game time or tasty treats. If you have teens, they might enjoy using fun focus apps like Forest to see how long they can keep their tree growing by staying productive and focused.
Encouraging kids to engage in sports, pursue their passions, or start a small business not only keeps them busy, but also helps them make the most of their time.
Similar to how parents often become more efficient with their time after they have children, immersing kids in activities they love can teach them valuable time management skills and boost their productivity.
It's a win-win situation where kids get to enjoy their interests while also learning to make the most out of every moment.
Fun Facts
Let's appreciate the brilliance of children and the valuable lessons they can teach us about productivity. Here are three remarkable things we can learn from them and examples of a few entrepreneurs that have followed these natural approaches with great success.
Find Joy in What You Do ("Eudaimonia")
Children naturally embody the essence of eudaimonia (eu-dai-mo-nia), a concept of finding true and sustainable happiness. For them, learning is not just a means to an end but a source of joy in itself.
Oprah Winfrey exemplifies this as she consistently prioritized her passion for uplifting and empowering others, finding fulfillment in making a positive impact. With her infectious energy and unwavering dedication to making a difference, she has transformed countless lives and inspired a generation.
Let the new CEO be the Chief Eudaimonia Officer.
Discover Something New! ("Dopaminergic Mind")
Children are masters in exploration, and it turns out that their innate curiosity can actually boost their productivity.
When kids engage in new experiences, they not only have fun but also activate their brains, fuel their creativity, and develop valuable problem-solving skills.
Successful entrepreneurs like Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad, and JetBlue founder David Neeleman have something surprising in common—they all have ADHD. Rather than seeing it as a setback, they credit their success to their unique brain wiring, which aligns with the concept of the Dopaminergic Mind.
This mindset embraces new experiences, challenges, and taking risks, triggering the release of dopamine, the feel-good chemical in our brains.
Let's encourage our children to embrace their individual qualities and foster a mindset that celebrates exploration and creativity.
Stay Positive and Believe in Yourself
As we grow up, we tend to worry about what others think of us. It's natural since we're social creatures.
But here's the thing: if we don't let the haters get to us, we can be way more productive. Let's teach our kids to stay true to themselves, pursue their passions, and not let the fear of judgment hold them back.
Like her or not, the world's youngest self-made billionaire, Kylie Jenner, built her successful makeup brand through her relentless dedication and focus on her goals. She started small and grew her empire through her productivity mindset.
'Never too Early' Spotlight
Jahkil Naeem Jackson of Project I Am
Jahkil Naeem Jackson, a best-selling author, social entrepreneur, and founder of Project I Am, is a remarkable young individual who started making a difference at the age of eight. Now at age 15, his nonprofit organization, Project I Am, Jahkil aims to raise awareness about homelessness and provide assistance to those in need. His efforts include distributing "Blessing Bags" filled with essential items to the homeless population, touching the lives of nearly 50,000 individuals worldwide.
Recognized by prominent figures such as Barack Obama and organizations like Heartland Alliance, Jahkil has been a youth ambassador and participated in campaigns with renowned brands such as Disney, Cartoon Network, and Nike.
Despite facing personal experiences with bullying, Jahkil remains a dedicated advocate and mentor for young people, using his book "I Am" to inspire children to maintain positivity, self-belief, and resilience in the face of challenges. To read more about Jahkil’s journey, click here.
Remember, it's not about being busy all the time, but rather making the most of our time and being intentional with our actions.
As we wrap up, let's not forget that productivity should never hinder creativity. Encourage your kids to find a healthy balance between productivity and pursuing their passions. After all, the world needs both productive superheroes and imaginative dreamers.
Your superheroes @ R.E.K.
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