21st Century Success

In Tough Choices or Tough Times, the report of the new commision on the skills of the American workforce, it is stated that the difference between those 21st century workers who will meet with success and those that meet with failure comes down to something everybody should wrap their arms around. I think everybody should wrap their arms around them...now.

Here's what it all spells...the successful workers of the 21st century need creativity and innovation, the facility of the use of ideas and abstractions, the self-discipline and organization to manage one's own work and drive it through to a successful conclusion, and the ability to function well as a member of a team.

Parents, ask yourselves if your son or daughter is getting enough of this training. Teachers, ask yourselves if you're providing these opportunities in your school. Administrators and bureaucrats, are you too busy lowering the standardized testing benchmarks so it appears that students are getting smarter?

Students, don't sit around and wait to be told what to do. The problem with waiting to be told what to do is that too many people are willing to oblige you. There is no shortage of people who are more than willing to take charge of your life. Find opportunities to develop the qualities that will make others take note of you. Ask your parents or find a trusted teacher or counselor to help you!