Top 3 Ways To Help Teenagers Manage Their Emotions

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Top 3 Ways To Help Teenagers Manage Their Emotions - Empower UEmpower U

For every single one of us, learning to manage our emotions is vital to almost everything we do, whether it’s school, work, relationships, sports, or anything else we choose to devote our time to.

So how do we learn to manage and deal with our emotions and thoughts? The answer is really quite simple… and it comes in 3 steps:

  1. Physiology
  2. Language, and
  3. Focus.

Let’s look at each of these in a little more detail.

Physiology

Whenever we’re feeling stressed, upset, anxious, worried, or other negative emotions, one of the simplest ways to combat those thoughts and feelings is to change your physiology. Physiology is essentially our body language.

This can be something as simple as just standing up and going for a walk, listening to some music, doing some stretches, or anything else that can change your physical state in order to provide a pattern break from your mental state. While this is usually only a temporary solution for the problem, when we get too caught up in a negative spiral, just doing something physical can ‘snap’ your mind out of that thought process.

Language

Many of us don’t realise the powerful effect that our language can have on the way we think and feel. If we’re constantly using negative language, or putting ourselves or others down, then that is going to negatively affect our emotions. Even when we think we’re joking, our subconscious has no sense of humour, and takes everything we say literally. So when you speak negatively, you’re just feeding negative emotions.

For example, if you say “I have a million things on my mind”, you probably only have a handful of things, but your subconscious takes that literally, which causes stress, worry, and overthinking. To prevent this, teenagers need to take an active role in correcting the way they speak to themselves and one another, in order to drive positive thoughts and emotions.

Focus

This is the strongest way for teenagers to grow their ability to manage their emotions. When we’re in a negative state, or highly emotional about something, it’s generally because that’s all we’re focusing on. While there are times where complete focus on something is good, the ability to shift focus from something negative to positive is imperative in order for teenagers to be able to stop a negative spiral of thoughts and emotions and bounce back quickly through focusing on the positives, and being able to find silver linings.

Helping your teenager to learn to manage their emotions is an important skill to give them as they become their own individual, and unfortunately is not one that is really covered in schools. So for parents, finding alternative forms of education, such as Empower U, to support your teenagers growth is the best way to give them a positive mindset to help them achieve success.

For more information about The Empower U Program, click HERE or contact the team on 1300 039 662.

The Importance of Setting SMART goals

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The Importance of Setting SMART Goals - Empower UEmpower U

At Empower U, we teach participants the process and benefits of setting SMART goals. Setting goals is a recipe for fulfilling many ambitions you want to undertake in your lifetime. 

S.M.A.R.T Goals – How do you do it?

SMART goals is an acronym, providing you with a well established template to set your dreams as realistic objectives. SMART goals should be:

  • (S)pecific – You need to be specific with what you desire so you can become as connected as possible with the outcome. This should establish exactly what you want we want to achieve this goal. 
  • (M)easurable – How can you break down the goal so you can easily measure your progress towards success?
  • (A)attainable – What action steps do you need to take to make this goal a reality?
  • (R)ealistic – Make sure the goal is realistically achievable based on where you are now and the time frame you have given yourself. 
  • (T)ime Orientated – what is a realistic timeframe within which you would like to achieve your ambition? This means you have a deadline to work towards, which creates urgency which drives action. 

Here are some reasons on why it’s so important to learn how to set SMART goals for optimum success. 

S.M.A.R.T Goals Clarify your End Vision

When you set SMART goals, it’s an acceptance that this goal is important to you and you are going to achieve it. You’ve envisioned where you would like to end up. It’s time to start taking action and persist until you succeed. The process of creating the SMART goal makes you think about your ambition in more depth. The more thought into the goal setting process you have, the higher the chances of you seeing the goal through. 

S.M.A.R.T Goals Increase Focus

To focus means to remove your attention from what is unnecessary and instead divert this energy into what is needed. Having goals helps us find what is true to us and what we actually want to achieve in our lifetime. The process of setting SMART goals breaks down how we will get there and what it’s going to take. Having goals improves our long term focus too, as when we create a plan of action, it’s easier to break down the short term steps to reach our objective. 

S.M.A.R.T Goals Dramatically Increases Perseverance 

Having a mapped path for success is a great way to see how far you have come and how much longer you have to go. Having this awareness increases motivation to persevere, as if you know how far away you are from reaching your goal, you’re more likely to keep pushing. If you knew success was right around the corner, would that motivate you? So give yourself that opportunity to successfully achieve your goals.

S.M.A.R.T Goals Introduce Self Discipline

Self discipline is the ability to control your feelings and overcome your weaknesses. The development of genuine self discipline is a journey you will undertake throughout your lifetime, but the best time to focus on developing your self discipline is now. When you set your SMART goals, you have the opportunity to identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, if your goal is to increase your results at the gym; your strength may be that it’s easy for you to wake up early in the morning to go to the gym. But, your weakness may be that you find it hard to eat lots of fruit and veggies. Keep this in mind when creating your plan of action and be wary of what are your weaknesses are so you can develop your self discipline. 

S.M.A.R.T Goals =  Less Stress, More Success

There’s nothing worse than the feeling of thinking you could have done more. If you have times where you’re blindly chasing an ambition without a plan – it’s no wonder your goals remain unachieved. When you set a SMART goal, you are setting them for no one but yourself. It’s easier to work smarter instead of harder when you have a strategy. This makes your life a whole lot more successful, with a lot less stress. When you want to pursue a goal, setting SMART goals will provide you with the best chance for optimum success. 

Here’s a short clip of Brent about setting SMART goals from a recent Empower U program:

Interested to know more about Empower U? Download our FREE Program Guide to get started today.

Empowering Youth in the Digital Age

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It’s been 15 years since the launch of Tomorrow’s Youth’s first ever Empower U Program, and we’re not slowing down! Research shows that 51% of teens prefer to communicate digitally rather than in person (even with friends) and 43% of 18-24 year olds say that texting is just as meaningful as an actual conversation with someone over the phone. Because of this, it is more important than ever to build strong communication skills and emotional intelligence in teenagers. So, how do we go about empowering youth in the digital age?

Empower U is designed to teach teenagers and young adults practical skills on how to communicate effectively, set and achieve their goals, take control of their lives and embody a new sense of self-worth, direction and empowerment. Since the launch of the first program, the change in youth behaviour has been made so apparent, most notably due to social media, and what has now been coined “screen addiction”.

One of our graduates, Elise Marcianti, who was recently interviewed on Sunrise, has spoken about how Empower U has helped her take control of her life and has given her healthy habits around using social media. Elise is a survivor of Anorexia Nervosa, and social media had a huge negative impact on her during that time. Elise said,

“Social media is so damaging for people suffering from eating disorders. No matter how hard I tried when I lost weight, there would always be people on social media that I could keep striving towards, but never get there.”

Empower U was the catalyst for change for Elise, “Empower U was a massive turn around for me, and it wasn’t only that weekend it helps you and gets you motivated, but it sets you up long term too.” Empower U helped Elise on her road to recovery and to commit to keeping herself happy and healthy by giving her strategies to have healthy habits around social media.

We are living in an increasingly digitalised world, where technology will continue to have both positive and negative impacts on young adults, and where parents play an important role in monitoring and managing these impacts. Research shows that 65% of parents with teenagers confiscate phones or remove Internet privileges as a form of punishment. But instead of using tech-devices as a means of behavioural control, such as reward or threat, we need to be educating our future generations on how to combine quality use of technology with emotional intelligence.

Parents also play a vital role in how their teenagers value the use of technology. Parents should be positive role models, which means nurturing meaningful parent-teen and teen-technology relationships. It’s important not to encourage kids to think about screen time in terms of gratification alone. Instead, it should enhance learning, help develop one’s sense of self, or facilitate positive connections.

Positioning non-screen time as an equally attractive use of time is also important. Like everything, technology-use is about balance, so encouraging, educating and empowering our teens to actively make their own decision to value the present, to be independent and confident in communicating face-to-face, are invaluable tools to imbed.

However, the change in youth behaviour is more powerful and sustainable if teens feel they’ve made the decision independently. It’s important to introduce and set challenges with your teens. The challenge could be not looking at your phone for the first and last 30 minutes of each day, turning off notifications during school/homework time, or having a technology-free day with the family once every few weeks. It’s important to have an open dialogue about how everyone is feeling during these challenges and understand that it’s not an overnight change, but a total perspective shift in what is truly valuable, remembering that growth and change takes time and that some days will be easier than others.

To learn more about Empower U, download our latest Program Guide.

5-Day Camp Was an Overwhelming Success

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Empower U 5 Day CampEmpower U

When I started Tomorrows Youth all the way back in October of 2001 I had a vision to enlighten today’s youth by teaching them life skills not focused on in school. The first was a weekend program where I would take teenagers from all kinds of backgrounds and give them an experience that would illuminate their mind, challenges some of their preconceived ideas on their life and future. We launched the Empower U program in July of 2002 and the rest is history when it comes to that. 23,000 teenagers in 6 countries and counting have gone through Empower U and it continues to achieve amazing results for all that attend.

However it was only natural graduates from Empower U would want to continue on their journey of personal growth and self discovery. That lead us to launch the 5-Day Empower U CAMP in January of 2004. It was always intended to be a huge jump for the weekend experience. Primarily because the only participants that would be allowed to attend the Camp were graduates who had gone through the weekend experience. The level of commitment therefore was unparalleled.

On January the 10th, 2016, at 4pm we began what was to be the 11th Camp in our history. 47 participants from around the country came together for a week of self discovery, mental growth and amazing breakthroughs. While I cannot go into details about the experience itself I did want to share some thoughts from graduates who attended and some photos to give you an insight into what an incredible experience this is. I still feel that after all of these years we are the best kept secret around.

Please share this information with anyone you know who has teenage children. What a great start to 2016 it would be if every teenager had the opportunity (whether they saw it as that or not) to experience Empower U for themselves.

Dale Beaumont from Business Blueprint sharing his wisdom and teaching them Goal Setting Techniques

Dale Beaumont from Business Blueprint sharing his wisdom and teaching them Goal Setting Techniques

Dear Brent,

The moment I finished my first 2 and a half-day program, I knew the camp was something I needed to do. As cliché as it sounds, Empower U changed my life forever. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about and implement the lessons I’ve learnt from the program and I knew that camp was going to push me even further to be the best version of myself. After eventually convincing my parents and almost a year of saving all my dollars, the 5-day camp came around…

I had very high expectations of the camp, and of myself. I knew that it was going to be an incredible week and so I set the bar high. Apparently, I didn’t set it high enough… The 5-day camp completely pole-vaulted my expectations and I came out the other side feeling absolutely on top of the world. There really are no words that could adequately describe just how incredible those 5 days are because in order to truly understand the highs, lows, and lessons of the camp, you need to experience it.

So, if you are on the fence about attending camp, or a little unsure, please PLEASE take the plunge. Don’t let excuses hold you back from an experience you will remember for the rest of your life. Camp is a big commitment and you may have to make some sacrifices, but the rewards will pay you back ten fold. Empower U changed my life… The 5-day flipped it upside down. But to be honest… it’s a better view from here.

Ishana Pilger

Owen Matheson was one of the Business Plan judges and a real inspiration to everyone

Owen Matheson was one of the Business Plan judges and a real inspiration to everyone

Dear Brent,

If I thought the 2-day Empower U program was awesome, then the 5-day Camp was S.P.E.C.T.A.C.U.L.A.R.  For me personally, I was very unsure about coming to this camp and how much it would really affect me in my day-to-day lifestyle. But like many, I jumped out of my comfort zone and gave in 110% during the whole 6 days – which is something that I will NEVER regret. The rest of the camp they say is history. By the end, I learnt so many crucial and significant lessons that really changed the way in which I approached my life. Not only that but I developed so many meaningful, loving and long-term relationships with my peers.

Everyday, the camp atmosphere was electrifying and the people at the camp were so enthusiastic, caring and most important of all – they were being true to themselves. This is a place and time where you can do anything, dream anything and achieve anything as long as you give it your all and really believe in yourself that is something in which many schools do not teach. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has done the 2-day Empower U program, who is not afraid of change and who is willing to step out of their comfort zone. Although it may seem very clichéd, I must re-iterate that this truly was a LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE.”

Once again, I cannot thank you enough and how you’ve really changed my life Brent. I’m so grateful that I got the opportunity to attend such an amazing and life-changing camp :)

Thank you Brent.

Love,

Peter Hoang

One of the highlights of the camp was Michael Adamedes and his Dynamic Meditation. A very intense and emotional process for everyone 

One of the highlights of the camp was Michael Adamedes and his Dynamic Meditation. A very intense and emotional process for everyone

Dear Brent,

There are not many words to describe the 5 day Empower U camp. Some that might come to mind are; amazing, life changing, impactful and motivational. This camp for me was 110% the best experience of my life. I enjoyed it so much and I am sure everyone else that has ever done it would say the same. They don’t tell you much about the camp itself and what you do while you’re there. Even if your expectations are extremely high, this camp will blow those expectations out of the water. This camp has most definitely changed my life FOREVER.

The 2 day Empower U was nothing compared to this experience, and that says something. Because I know that nearly everyone that does the 2 day Empower U will say so many amazing things about it. To be honest after doing 2 Empower U’s and 1 Camp, I think there’s only 1 person who didn’t really enjoy it or want to come back.

One of the reasons the 5 day camp is so amazing and impactful, is because you build so many quality relationships with so different types of people, no matter who you are. For example, I’m 14 and someone who I consider to be my “best friend” of the camp was 16 nearly 17. The age difference meant to nothing to anyone. You could talk to everyone and no one would judge you. One of the people who I felt most comfortable around was an adult, mostly because I know they’ve been through a lot, and I had too.

Everyone at the camp wants to be there, and everyone has also had their problems. So you won’t be judged for who you are, which is so amazing because I don’t get that very often. I’m the type of person who got picked on and no one really liked me. But at this camp I feel so comfortable about everyone.

Gus Grgic

Adam, Bronte and Karla were a part of our assist team... where is Mel? They were outstanding

Adam, Bronte and Karla were a part of our assist team… where is Mel? They were outstanding

Dear Brent,

For me the camp was definitely the most fabulous, life changing thing I have ever done in my life. it was super fun and very emotional at times too. It just felt so amazing to be in an environment where I felt free to go all out crazy and be who I want to be without judgment from others. Dance sessions (and mosh pits), well they were so intense, definitely a highlight for me. all the other kids/young adults are all so enthusiastic, energetic, and supportive which just raises the energy of the camp x10.

After finishing the camp I feel so free from whatever emotions or mindsets that were holding me back and I look at the world from a completely different perspective now. the guest speakers were so inspiring and Chris Gray’s Lamborghini was pretty sweet too. Overall, going to the camp was the best decision I ever made, I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone interested in going. It has certainly changed my life forever and I am so grateful to Brent for doing what he does, Brent, you are so amazing and thankyou so much for being awesome and inspiring me to do amazing things with my life.

lots of love,

Liam Christie

 

Dear Brent,

I attended EmpowerU for the first time in October 2015 knowing very little about the seminar. In Those 2.5 days I learnt more than I could have possibly imagined from the program. Keen to learn more I signed up for the 5-day camp in January 2016.
The 5-days I spent with Brent Williams and the 47 new family members were the best five days out of the 6397 I’ve spent on Earth. Our bodies were pushed to its limits and our emotions were pushed even further. It was an amazing experience filled with moments of love, care, and brutal honesty. I learnt and grew so much in those five days but I can say with honesty that I could go back next year without hesitation and learn just as much or even more.
To anyone reading this that hasn’t heard of EmpowerU I would I highly recommend it without thinking twice. It is a life changing experience and shifted my perception of myself and others.

Aydin Ucan

Games are a reflection of life and the Camp had plenty of Games to challenge participants in many ways

Games are a reflection of life and the Camp had plenty of Games to challenge participants in many ways

Dear Brent,

After just returning from the 5 day empower U camp I can safely say it was the best experience of my life. Throughout the camp my emotions and body were pushed to the absolute max and I learnt valuable lessons that will stay with me for life. The camp was the most intense, difficult, beautiful, heart warming experience I have ever had. The people were so beautiful. I have grown so much as a person and watched those around me into absolutely incredible people. I want to go back again again and again continue to soak up the valuable lessons that I learned and will continue to learn. To anyone that is on the fence about Empower U or hasn’t heard of it research it an do it as it is absolutely life changing and it will shift your perceptions of yourself an the world around you dramatically

Kirsty Barrett

The Campers loved Chris Gray's property talk... and his Lambo too

The Campers loved Chris Gray’s property talk… and his Lambo too

Dear Brent,

I first discovered Tomorrow’s Youth in 2013, and between then and March 2015 I’d done three single day programs and over this there was a slow learning curve, and then I tried Empower U throughout 2015 which was a bit steeper. Having done Empower U I decided that the camp would be the next logical step. But I didn’t quite realise what I was getting myself into.

The single day programs and the weekends had left me with an idea of where I wanted to go in life, and some possible strategies to get there.

The best thing about the camp, however, is that it gave many more questions, why do you want to get there? Where will you go next? But most importantly, Where are you now? This was a question that I’d often dismissed assuming i’d known the answer, but even though it was eventually me that found it, it wasn’t me that led myself there.

The Camp has the potential it has because there are fifty likeminded people there to support each other. But this only works because we all started at similar points due to prior experiences we’d had at Empower U. So I’d recommend this experience to anyone who has completed the Empower U weekend, if they are sure they want to.

Connor Green

For the first time in our history we will be running two camps in a year. Our next 5-Day Camp will be held on the 3rd to 8th July this year. It should be noted that there are only 7 spots left as the other 41 are taken already.

I am blessed to be able to do this work for a living and constantly be inspired by our Youth

I am blessed to be able to do this work for a living and constantly be inspired by our Youth.

The BreakFree Experience is Back!

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Seconds before breaking through limiting beliefs, symbolised by a Empower U's famous board break experience.Empower U

After a hugely successful event back in February of this year we can finally announce that “The BreakFree Experience” is coming back. The date is set for January 30th 2016 which is a perfect way to kick off the new year. We are currently taking bookings but are looking to limit it to 100 participants. 74 spots are already taken so don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity.

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to attract good fortune no matter what they do? Is this just luck or
is it more? Simple changes in the way you think can create powerful change in your ability to attract success.

The Break Free experience will cover powerful information in a fun and interactive way.

Here are just some of the things you will learn:

  • Understand the finest in peak performance psychology that top athletes, entertainers, educators and business people use to produce the success they have
  • Learn the most effective techniques to develop great relationships that will give you the edge in life
  • Boost your self confidence, clarity and ability to take action
  • Develop clearly defined goals and a detailed plan of their achievement
  • Learn how to control and manage your emotions in any given situation
  • Break through any barriers that may be preventing you from achieving success

For more information or to book simply email the team at bookings@TheBreakFreeExperience.com.au

Looking forward to seeing you at the event.

Yours in Success,

Brent Williams