Most teenagers are unaware that they create their reality through their thinking.

When unconscious thoughts become an uncomfortable reality, it is desirable to change that reality by changing one's thinking. But first the teenager must become aware and agree on these points:

• My thoughts DO create my reality,
• I AM thinking (consciously or unconsciously)
• I CAN change my own thinking (consciously)
• I CAN choose my reality

How?
The technique that I share in this chapter from "The Coach in the Classroom" engages the strength of the class's internal relationships to leverage the learning from the strongest member of the class.

The aim of the talk is to demonstrate to a roomful of teenagers:

• I have the power to shape my reality
• We have the power to shape our reality

You are standing in front of a roomful of teenagers to tell your life/work story in an inspiring, encouraging and motivating way. Ready? GO!

• How can you catch their attention, and keep it, without dominating?
• How can you engage and involve them, without losing control?
• How can you make the learning fun and meaningful at the same time?

In this chapter of "The Coach in the Classroom" I share some of the techniques that I have developed and used over the past eleven years of talks with teenagers.

I have also included the students' feedback. I always ask for feedback - that's how I learn.

Asking for reviews was a great idea, until the reviews came back.

Half of the reviewers loved the book, the other half didn't.

What to do? Listen to those who didn't love the book and ask what could be changed, of course.

Improvements included:

1. No references to dying, angels or spirits
2. Give Anthony a life (a back story)!
3. Show the story, don't tell it (describe in dialogue)

Oddly enough, the first point was the most difficult to accept because the book would become so different, The other two were easier. Anthony's back story was easy and fun to write. The dialogues were more of a challenge since there were so many. Once I got started though, I found that I had plenty of dialogues in me, and they made a strong positive difference to the whole book.

Well done reviewers!
​Well done ME!