I speak to so many young people these days, and honestly, it breaks my heart.
At nearly every talk I give at conferences, university campuses, seminars, and business workshops, someone pulls me aside to say they’re struggling in life, or just feeling completely lost. A lot of young people are overwhelmed. They’re worried about their future, drowning in debt because of loans they took from friends, and surrounded by work and family pressure from all sides. It’s like they are climbing a mountain in the dark with no map and no light.
Then there’s social media. They’re constantly bombarded with images of perfect careers, and a version of success that isn’t even real. No one is showing the quiet power of hard work, real friendships, or family. It’s no wonder so many feel like they’re not enough or like they don’t belong.
The world today is different. Back when I was a teenager, we had our own battles, but we had more freedom to just be ourselves. We didn’t have this 24/7 comparison machine in our pockets. And I see it in the young people who work with me now: some don’t have that same fire or confidence we had. But it’s not because they’re lazy or soft. It’s because the weight on their shoulders is heavier than ever.
That’s why we’ve got to fight for them. We’ve got to push them and protect them. Encourage them. Believe in them. We must get them to understand that even though they may fail interviews, launch businesses that do poorly or make a lot of silly mistakes, with grit and purpose, they, too, can win. We’ve got to be the example they need: show them what it means to work and live with integrity, drive, ambition and purpose.
If we don’t invest in them now, we risk losing a future full of talent, energy, and untapped greatness. Helping the next generation isn’t a charity exercise for all of us; it’s our duty. They’re our future. And we must give them everything they need to win.
