Prepping Amigos for the Future

 Blog - Preparing Amigos for the Future (9/24/20)
#blog, #amigos

Decisions, Decisions ... what should you and we do for our grandchildren.
Prepare them for life challenges

Background (my observations)
1. our nation's demographics is changing and people of color will be in the majority
2. today the majority of 'under 20 year-olds' are non-white
2. our grandchildren are/will be exposed to beliefs and opinions that already in conflict with ours
3. higher education is well known for it's liberal biases - crushing conservative thought and expression
4. mainstream media has taken control and is the party of the left and progressives
4. political correctness is poisoning social communication and media ... and free speech
5. conservative opinion and thought is being stymied and proven screened by big tech FB, Am, Goog, Twit
6. high tech firms and media are now PROVIDING the public's opinion and thought
7. far left groups - Black Lives Matter, ATIFA and others are receiving recognition and support from our left political leaders and with media support have swayed a large percent of the voters away from conservative values
8. the likelihood of conservative strength, political influence being challenged in 2020 elections and beyond
9. COVID-19 has and will change everything in the future - US dollar value, stock market, jobs outlook, etc.
10. middle class' quality of life and disposable income will decline - making many more dependent on the government
11. COVID-19 pandemic, AI, the demographic population shift (legal/illegal) reduce jobs availability
12. college entrance application and approval 'bias' will favor non-whites

So what are we to do for our grandchildren ...
* teach them how to differentiate between what they can control and what they can't
* develop financial and investing basics, money management business acumen
* identify and develop their skill stack (working knowledge i.e. business, tech, influence, mechanical skills, etc.)
* explore and expose them to new interests and skills - develop existing
* prepare now for college entrance - academics, leadership, SAT/ACT (they are/will be the minority)
* assign them responsibility and accountable chores for pay - not allowance
* consider and focus them on job opportunities/fields that will be needed 5-10 years in the future
* consider vocational services and trades (electrician, plumber, pipe fitter, mechanical services, health services, technology)
* focus on job opportunities that cannot be replaced by technology, AI, low-wage/low-skill workers
* see example https://takeyoursuccess.com/15-alternatives-to-college/
* encourage them to become fluent in Spanish
* understand college applicant selection criteria and immediately incorporate those in your applicant resume
* find a mentor who can lead/support their life development skills
* manage their friends selection - what they do, share and spend time on is what they become
* educate them to become street-wise and understand human psychology (what motivates individuals - positively and negatively)
* understand techniques and how persuasion is used and can be used
* teach them and reward responsibility
* pursue online college credits now
* Note: the most influential element for their development are the parents - matching actions to words!

Eight Steps to be Successful from Scott Adams (Dilbert cartoonist) and his best selling books
1. Focus on useful education
2. Stay legal
3. Say no to Drugs
4. Don't be parent too soon
5. Develop your 'Talent Stack'
6. Be useful to others
7. Achieve results by using Systems over Goals
8. Learn the basics of risk management (diversification)