Chandler Comerford argues that decision-making is the most important skill young people can learn. He compares teenage choices to Operation Red Wings, the 2005 Navy SEAL mission in Afghanistan, to show how high-stakes decisions shape your life.
I absolutely love speaking to young people and I have a vested interest as I have two teenagers and a grade schooler myself.
To me, the ability to make decisions is the most important skill that anyone can learn. I focus on three truths of drawing parallels between teenage high risk decision making and and Operation red wings, a U.S. navy SEAL mission which took place in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan in 2005.
They're on and off. Their mission was to identify a senior Taliban operative that was going to come into this particular village for meeting.
So.
What a choice.
To have to make.
Between your friends and their safety and doing the right thing.
Hopefully none of us in this room will ever have to make a choice like that under those circumstances. But make no mistake, you'll absolutely have to make tough decisions in your life. I believe when it comes time for you to make a high stakes decision, your choice is going to be harder than Eric's to make.
And it's not your fault.
It's unrealistic to think that we'll make good choices all the time. My hope is that we're conscious when we make them.
I wish you all the best.
As you move through adolescence and into adulthood.
You'Re always choosing.
One decision can change your life. Making a Conscious decision.
Thanks very much.
Sam.
