There is a book that was written by a man by the name of Chad Foster that has changed the lives of thousands, and it is called Teenagers Preparing for the Real World, 1999. Per the back of his first book, Chad Foster is “credited with developing and marketing the soft rubber playground surface seen at McDonald’s restaurants around the world. He’s also the host of his own television show, Fly Fishing America, and one of the most sought after motivational speakers.” With this book, Chad Foster changed the way people do things forever.

Chad Foster created a number of businesses after his lucrative tennis career. As he became a success, fell on his face, wandered, and finally found success again time and time again he found that there were certain things that he really wished that he was taught in school before he left the womb of his family. Since he had this feeling, he figured there were other very high powered very successful people who felt the same way. Therefore, he researched and asked some of the top people in their fields what teens should know to be successful, and their answers and expertise now appear in this book. His purpose is to teach, educate, and prepare students for a world that formal education has yet to teach them.

The book was destined to fail, but didn’t. To start with, it breaks the two cardinal rules of teen books. First, you don’t call teenagers “teens”. This fact immediately causes most teenagers, who think they are already adults and know so much more than adults, to turn away in disgust. However, the teens I’ve given this book to are very acceptable after reading one paragraph in it. They’re comment is simply, “Well, it’s true. I am a teenager.” The second cardinal rule that the title breaks is you don’t say anything about the “real world”. Teenagers believe they are already in the “real world”, and it’s an insult for anyone to think that they don’t know what this “real world” is. Lastly, he puts in the fact that he is preparing them for this, “real world”. You can’t prepare anyone to go into a place they already believe they are. Somehow Chad pulls it off, and most teens are so receptive to the book it is amazing.

This is a book that not only talks about great skills that are needed, it’s also a how to guide for each of these great skills. Chad Breaks this book into 12 unbelievable “bottom lines” that every one of us could learn something from.

Find your Passion, Tray a few jobs before college, dream and pursue your dreams

He points out that no one should be made to decide what they want to do in life if they have never done it. therefore, during the summer and vacations go volunteer or get a job doing something or in an area that you think you’d want to work in. Only once you know the ins and outs of a career, can you decide if it’s your passion. If you’re not striving for your passion, than you’re not doing it right.

But an address book and fill it up, Meet all kinds of people, ask a million questions, and keep in contact with t these people

He tells you that you should take down the phone numbers and addresses of every person you meet. You never know when they might be able to help you. Remember, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Meet as many people as possible. Everyone has something to teach you and offer you. Do not be afraid to talk to people. There are a lot of interesting people out there. But of course he cautions, use common sense about everything you do. Never stop asking questions. Not only do you never stop asking questions, ask those people you meet about them. Never loose focus of them, and keep the conversation about them and what they do. He even goes so far as to tell you how to meet, greet, hold such a conversation, and finally how to ask for their contact information. He cautions to not just collect this information, find out about them and keep in contact with them. Keeping in contact with people., even if its only a x-mass card or 1 phone call, you can not just use the people you are talking to. Also keep in mind, you are also their contact.

Read Everything You can

No matter what it is, if you have any free time pick up something and read it. Be open to current events. You never know when this information will be helpful.

Always do the right thing, Volunteer fro community service

It’s great to receive but it’s better to receive. We need to understand how lucky we are, and give back to our community. We are the creators of the new world. We are never too busy to help others.

Remember, success is a journey not a destination

We are on a path that is the success. As long as the path continues, and the doors continue to open we are there. As soon as we lay back and become stagnant, we become unsuccessful.

This book reads like a lesson in how to live the perfect life and be a success at the same time. This is one of the most powerful book that have every been written, in my opinion of course. All of the above information was accomplished in a mere 90 pages. Yes, you read that right. Not only was it in 90 pages, but it is written with stories, and jokes, and in such a way that teens love to read it. This book is invaluable to people of all ages. This would be a great book for teens and young adults alike, finding and developing their skills to become the great adults you have envisioned therm to be. In this small yellow book, I have found a treasure trove of lessons and skills to help everyone including my teenagers.