Have you ever heard people saying youth is the most crucial-cum-complex age in one’s life? Do you realise that you are the chief executive officer (CEO) of your life, who is bound to make all the important decisions of your life? Haven’t you noticed your parents keeping a vigilant eye on your actions and practices because you are still not an adult? Haven’t you experienced people asking you about your goals in life because you are at the crossroads in your life? Haven’t you had people telling you “Do something great that can justify your existence in this world”?

Certainly, you must have heard these things countless times, especially if you are stepping into your teens or are already there. Habits play a significant role in life, especially a youngster’s life. This can either build you or destroy you.

life, especially a youngster’s life. This can either build or destroy you.

The good habits can help young people to balance out a cramped schedule and increasing responsibilities, and get over with this stage of life successfully.

“As you sow, so shall you reap” as the age old saying goes, whatever you invest into your life, it will offer you dividends accordingly. This means, the results of your decision in your teenage is spread over the span of next 50 years and more. If you fail to build a roadmap and vision for your life early on, then the probability of success tends to be much lower as time passes. You can’t start late and expect to win a race.

There are many children and young adults who perform well in their academic arena, have a wide social circle, manage things timely and efficiently, and, most importantly, they possess confidence and are inspiring to others.

You know what sets them apart and makes them different? Their positive and constructive habits. Following are few habits which are the quintessential element of their lives which make them unique and successful.

Taking responsibility

The attribute of taking responsibility for things suggests that a person takes the responsibility of his actions, has willpower and channels his thoughts into actions. These youngsters tend to analyse the present, learn from past mistakes and envision the future based on past experiences. They don’t blame and defame others for their failures or mishaps. They believe that excuses and being a prisoner of the past is for weak people, thus they get through the difficult situation and they move on.

Interestingly, they never allow negative people to influence their emotions, determination and decisions. Teenagers should have strong belief in their skills, abilities and vision.

For instance, if you happen to secure poor marks in the exams, how would you react? Maybe you would hold the teacher accountable for his improper checking and start blaming him/her.

Or you would hold your parents accountable by claiming that they didn’t provide you with tuition of that subject. But if you are a responsible person, you would assess your mistakes and shortcomings, and start working on improving them. Self-awareness is an essential characteristic of responsible youngsters.

Be focused and goal-oriented

One should be able to imagine the end-product of his decision.

We must know that whatever decision we have taken, it would lead to what happens in our life. And a successful person is able to control his own destiny rather than be driven and remote-controlled by other people. He knows that all his struggle, efforts and hard work is bound to pay dividends and make him effective, strong and a good human being in the future.

These teenagers develop their ‘mission statement’ early on, in which they write their aims, goals and the time they are going to spend on achieving them. They are disciplined and honest with their aims.

For example, your aim is to secure good grades in the upcoming exams, then you must prepare effectively and efficiently, working day and night, sacrificing parties with friends and spoiling your holidays just to reach an ultimate end.

Prioritise the tasks

What gets scheduled, gets done. Successful teenagers are those who tend to prioritise their tasks, and first do what is most important to them. They often divide the tasks and things into ‘most important and less urgent’ and work accordingly. They plan ahead as to what is coming their way. And eliminate all the insignificant things from their way forward. They don’t wait or leave things for the last minute. They beat procrastination. These teenagers have enough will power to get out of their comfort zone and start working on tasks according to the prepared timetable.

Being positive towards others

A sense of competition and an eagerness to win come naturally to humans. But the ability of positively channelling this sense of competition is what makes people successful.

This means that such people not only perform well, and produce fruitful results, but also let others learn and succeed.

They treat everyone equally and respectfully. Let’s say, your friend secures better grades than you in the exams. So rather than pulling him back or feeling resentment, you should congratulate him and share his happiness. This way, envy and negativity can be stopped from spoiling your friendship and a win-win scenario is created.

Understand others

There is a wise saying: “The greatest mistake we make in our relationships: we listen half, understand quarter, think zero and react double.”

This is so true for most of us. Successful teenagers tend to listen to people carefully, understand the words and scenario before jumping to the conclusion. They not only listen to the words but also feel the emotions which are being expressed and carefully watch the body language. Resultantly, they manage to get into the situation and interpret it from the other person’s point of view. And then they give their feedback and answer.

Thus, start listening to people, show love and understanding so that the people around you can feel that you really care and are being helpful to them.

Build teamwork

I know that 2+2=5 seems odd and unrealistic, doesn’t it? But this is what happens when you work in groups. Successful youngsters try to build their group, assign work, promote brainstorming and succeed through effective leadership qualities. They believe in collective wisdom. The effectiveness of the work enhances with good teamwork and synergy power.

They embrace diversity that fosters creativity and enormous opportunities, hence the chance of success increases for them.

Suppose, you are asked to write a report on the problems of Pakistan, certainly you may find it hard at first. But if you have a couple of classmates to work with; this would ease your stress. One may write good English, another may be good at researching while you may be good at brainstorming. With this, you would be able to get over with the report well on time owing to the concept of ‘division of labour’.

Keep improving your life

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving” —Albert Einstein.

Successful youngsters keep on sharpening themselves while accessing new knowledge, learning different skills and making new friends. They keep a balance between four components: the body, brain, heart and soul.

First, for strengthening body, they exercise, eat healthy food and sleep well. Second, for renewing the brain, they learn, read, write and remain engaged in currents affairs and the contemporary world. Third, for nourishing the heart, they never fall in depression, remain optimistic, help others and contribute to the society. Lastly, for caring of the soul, they spend some time in thinking, analysing and doing what makes them feel good.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 10th, 2018