Looking forward to a bright future

It is important to have goals and dreams, but what do you do when the going gets tough? It is important to model a positive attitude, seek solutions to problems, and keep moving toward your goal.

Studies show when people envision themselves reaching their goals, they are more likely to make them happen. Positive View of Personal Future is Asset 40 of Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets, the qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.
 

Here are the facts:

Research shows that young people who are optimistic about the future have better relationships with their parents, increased self-esteem, and decreased emotional or behavioral problems, such as depression, early sexual activity, and violence. About 73 percent of young people, ages 11–18, are optimistic about their personal future, according to Search Institute surveys. Since young people are our future adults, it’s important to help them realize the positive aspects of their lives now and in the years to come.

Tips for building this asset:

Having a sense of hope is one of the most important human traits to embrace. Everyone faces ups and downs in life. But it’s important to teach young people that a bad day, failed test, break-up, or loss of a loved one doesn’t mean the future is without hope. When bad things happen or mistakes occur, help young people focus on solutions or positive aspects of the situation instead of problems.
 
In your home and family: Find videos, stories, pictures, articles of people doing hopeful things. Post and share them so the entire family sees them.
 
In your neighborhood and community: If you have concerns about your neighborhood, talk to neighbors about them. Young people who live in a safe, clean, friendly neighborhood are more likely to feel positive about their future.
React positively when young people tell you their dreams—no matter how far-fetched or unreachable they may seem. Together, figure out a plan to make their dreams come true.
 

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Want to know more about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/developmental-assets-framework.  

2017 Developmental Assets^® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people.