After many requests from parents and students over the past several years I am so excited to announce my brand new 4-Week Coaching Program for Teens.

“Play Big in the Game of Life”
4-Week Coaching Program for Teens

This is an exclusive opportunity to work with me where I give you the game plan to play big in the game of life. For over 18 years I have shared this powerful message with teenagers across North America. Now, I’m taking all of these experiences and lessons and have put them into a fun, high energy virtual coaching program done by teleconference that helps teens change their attitude, find direction, and discover the power they have to be leaders in school and in life. For all of the details please feel out the form below and they will be e-mailed to you immediately.

“Play Big in the Game of Life” – 4-Week Coaching Program for Teens is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog

Recently a high school student named Kelly asked me the following question: “I have this big problem, Ed. People are calling me names and saying I have no friends and no one likes me… I’m starting to think that it’s true. My self esteem is going way down. Please help.”

Kelly is not alone – there are thousands of teenagers who feel this way every day. The best thing Kelly did was ask for help. It is important to remember and know that as teens and even as adults you are not alone. There are people to help you and support you if you are willing to look and have the courage to ask for help and advice. The biggest challenge is then putting into action the advice or support that is offered to you.

Here’s the advice I have for Kelly, she has to ask herself some questions and then take the time to really answer them at a deep level.

Who is the source?

You always have to consider the source of where negative information or comments come from. If they are coming from someone whom you do not respect or trust, then you can disregard the comments as nonsense or as another example of a coward or bully trying to tear someone down to make themselves feel better. This will help you keep things in perspective.

Who is one friend that you trust and can count on?

There are plenty of people who claim or give the perception that they have a lot of friends. However, it is the quality of friendships in your life that will help you get through difficult or challenging times. Nurture a friendship with even one person that you trust and can talk to. When you have a great friendship with a person who supports you, encourages you and is there to pick you up when you’re feeling down it will make a world of difference, versus a crowd of superficial relationships.

What are you grateful for in your life right now?

Ask yourself what you are grateful or thankful for in your life right now? Start with one thing and then list five things. When you begin to really reflect on what you are grateful for in your life you cannot help but begin to focus on the positive.

What challenges and obstacles have you had to overcome in your life?

Self-esteem does not come from looking in the mirror and saying to yourself ‘you are incredible’! Self-esteem comes from looking at your life and seeing how much you have grown, what you have experienced, and had to overcome. It’s about looking at the successes you have had in your life so far and also seeing how you’ve persevered through challenges. Take the time to look back to see just how far you have come. Then look ahead and focus on all of the wonderful things that are possible. This is what will carry you through the ups and downs of life.

Is that it? Just focus on these questions and answers and everything will be better?

I wish it was that easy and the answer that simple. The truth is that there are always going to be mean people who are cruel and gossip about others. It does not stop in high school or in college. There are bullies everywhere and at almost every age. That is why it is so important to surround yourself with positive people and positive things whenever possible. What you focus on – you attract. What you think about – you become. Don’t let negative people bring you down, don’t let them hold you back from being kind and from dreaming big. The fact is that you are an amazing human being who has gifts and talents – many that are still to be discovered – that are going to help you create an extraordinary life and make the world a better place.

Can Gratitude Increase Your Self-Esteem? is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog

Ten years ago my brother Steve gave everyone in our family a poem titled “Family Prayer”. Since that time, at every holiday, special occasion, and especially at Thanksgiving before our dinner the poem is read aloud.

It has become a tradition in our family and with each Thanksgiving that is celebrated the words take on a deeper meaning. At the heart of the poem is gratitude. It’s about being thankful for our family, our friends and all of our blessings.

Family Prayer

May we treat one another with patience and care, and respect one another’s uniqueness, may we praise and encourage, and listen and share, and forgive any small fault or weakness. May we grow ever closer while we’re here together, and someday, if we’re far apart, may we look back with love on these day to day times and feel close to our family in heart. Author Unknown

As we go into this Thanksgiving, I invite you to share with others what you are grateful for and to let the people in your life know how much you care about them and love them. As William Arthur Ward once said, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

Happy Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks for all of our Blessings is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog

Jump: to take eagerly; to enter into something with vigor

My little girl Shannon is two-and-a-half years old and I just started teaching her how to swim. This basically means me getting into a pool with her while she floats around with a swim bubble strapped to her back. Recently, she has discovered the game of going to the side of the pool and then jumping into my arms. The first time that she did it I could see the fear in her whole body. She was scared, nervous, wondering how I would ever catch her. When she finally did jump and landed into my arms her whole face turned to shear joy and triumph. This game repeated itself for the next twenty minutes. Each time she would get a little less scared and a little more confident. The jumps became bigger and the joy even greater.

(See Video Below)

I can’t help but think how this parallels our own lives. When we are confronted with new things or change is upon us. It can feel scary to step out of our comfort zone and try something new. To put ourselves out there not knowing what will happen or what the result will be. I think that those that don’t jump in life-or in other words take positive risks-are missing out on living an extraordinary life. This blog is a jump for me. I’m not sure who will read it or how will people will respond. But without me sharing it I would never know. Without taking the jumps in life the world doesn’t get to see who you are and you don’t get to see the world.

Where in your life are you holding back? Where are you afraid to make that jump?

Here are three questions to help you make that jump?

1. One week from now, one month from now, and one year from now how will you feel if you didn’t take that positive risk?
2. Who are the people in your life that can support you in taking that risk?
3. What’s the worst possible thing that can happen if you take that risk?

Jump! is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog

Going into a new year I am always excited about the new goals that I have planned that I sometimes have the tendency to create high expectations of how things will turn out. It almost happened last week when I took my four-year-old son Ryan skiing for the first time. We were both so excited and I was ready for a long fun-filled day on the slopes.

Once his skis were on we proceeded to the “beginner hill”. I enthusiastically began to teach Ryan about “french fries and apple pie” which is an easy way to remember how to position your skis. French fries for keeping the skis straight and apple pie for making the shape to snow plow down the hill.

The lesson ended after about five minutes as Ryan became more interested about when we could go up the giant chairlift, on why he could not have his own ski poles, and when could he ski really fast by himself.

It was at that moment I could feel myself becoming frustrated because this was not the way that I thought his first time skiing should go. I expected it to be easier and never thought of the work out I would get from continually picking him up and putting his skis back on. I realized I had set up this high expectation of what our day together skiing would look like. It was at that moment that I stopped and said to myself, “let the expectation go, everything is happening just the way it’s supposed to.”

Our remaining time on the mountain involved me picking him up, answering questions, and lots of laughing. After only a half an hour outside he declared he was done for the day and that it was time for hot chocolate. Perfect.

If I had not caught myself on the slopes that day with him I could have made the whole experience a miserable one for me and most of all Ryan. It’s a great lesson for all of us to remember as we go into a new year filled with possibilities.

It’s important to dream big, clearly set your goals, and to take action in achieving them. But none of that really matters if our expectations are set so high that we never get to truly enjoy what we are experiencing and what we have accomplished. To make 2009 the best that it can be I think you have to go into each day with no expectations. When you do that you not only don’t force things to go a certain way, you also are able to relax, be in the moment and have more fun.

No Expectations is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog