Teenagers Preparing for the Real World

I just finished Teenagers Preparing for the Real World, an excellent self-published book for teens by motivational speaker Chad Foster. It was enthusiastically recommended to me by a chance acquaintance in the Bellagio Art to Wear gallery in Asheville, North Carolina.

Teenagers have a full plate of things they need to learn to succeed in the adult world, and they rarely get the right wisdom from adults. Chad Foster's focus is what I call "life skills," and in this book he relies heavily on his colorful personal history to make points and insights that will make a big difference in a teen's future success.

The book talks to teens on their level in an engaging no-nonsense style. For example, "How are you supposed to figure all this out? When should you start thinking about your future? Are some people born lucky, or do they get lucky as time goes on? Why do some people hit home runs while others strike out? Who cares? Nobody, except those of us who want to succeed."

It's a how-to book, an easy read with fewer than 100 pages. In that short space it hits some important topics: Here are his "12 bottom lines"...

Find your passion.
Buy and address book and fill it.
Meet all kinds of people.
Ask a million questions.
Stay in touch with everyone.
Read everything you can.
Uncover your natural talents.
Try a few jobs before college or university.
Dream and pursue your dreams.
Always do the right thing.
Volunteer for community service.
Remember, success is a journey, not a destination.

Also, I've written two books, Conversations with the Wise Uncle (for boys) and Conversations with the Wise Aunt (for girls). I would recommend Chad Foster's book alongside my own to any teenager who wants to get ahead.

Post by Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D., Copyright 2011. Building Personal Strength .