“Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven’t planted.” - David Bly
Julie Fournier, Founder and CEO of BallisPsych, wrote an insightful article which resonated with me for our students! The Entitlement Cure: Not everyone gets a trophy is a powerful article for teachers and parents as we work together with our Gen Z teenagers to help them steer away from being ‘entitled’.
Psychologist Dr John Townsend defines the attitude of entitlement as the belief that I am exempt from responsibility and am owed special treatment. Dr Townsend also states that "Whatever the cause of the sense of entitlement, the end result is that the person believes that he or she doesn’t have to play by the rules of responsibility, ownership, and commitment.”
Fournier, who is also a College basketball player, goes on to state that "luckily this entitlement ‘disease’ has a cure. Entitlement is an attitude, which means it’s a habit of thought, and you choose your thoughts. Many believe they deserve a trophy, deserve more playing time, deserve a scholarship, and deserve to take more shots in a game - all without having to do the hard work to earn them. Culture and experiences may influence someone towards entitlement, but they don’t create it. Entitlement is a choice".
Dr. Townsend offers 4 solutions to help our children be positive, proactive citizens and not be so entitled:
1. Understand the Power of Words - by speaking life and taking responsibility.
2. Do The Hard Things First - Successful people have tough mornings and easier evenings.
3. Keep Inconvenient Commitments - Be true to your word. If you say it, do it.
4. Engage in Service - One of the best experiences that helps cure entitlement.
God directs us to guide our students to be the best version of themselves. Here at Avondale School our teachers aim to build strong partnerships with parents. That team effort between home and school will help engage and motivate our students to create a balanced and positive work ethic to set them up for success in the real world, without them thinking they should ‘get a trophy for simply showing up’. As Christians we want our students to remember that we are training for an eternal prize and not to get complacent with an attitude of entitlement but rather have one of appreciation and gratitude.
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:25
Mrs Hayley Ferris
Head of Secondary
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