Consultant: Think big, work hard

Think big and act on your dreams.

 

These words of encouragement came recently from Marketing and Communications Consultant Paula-Ann Moore as she delivered the featured address to the graduating class of the Hilltop Preparatory School.

 

As she recalled fond memories of the school, which she noted is enmeshed in her family’s academic development over the years, the past student told the graduands of the sacrifice many parents had to make a few decades ago to send their children to school, and lamented the sense of entitlement which is being seen by many young people today.

 

Urging the graduands to consider their next step as they embark upon their new journey at secondary school, she said they must endeavour to think big, stressing that this does not equate to having material things.

 

“They want these status symbols at any cost. They value things more than people and they will sell their integrity, family and friends to achieve them. They might have false pride but not the right pride. They value things more than themselves and are willing to take short cuts rather than work honestly. And they cannot do without because their self esteem and how they value themselves is bound in acquiring things.

 

“Your vision for thinking big should not be acquiring things – they come and go; they lose value quickly. The friends that like you for what you have and what you can give them don’t like you and they will disappear if/when you no longer have things,” she warned

 

“Your vision for thinking big should be to ensure you have self esteem. That you value yourself more than anything. That you have integrity. That you will do without if you don’t earn it rather than make anyone feel they have more than you do. Class has nothing to do with how much money you have. The traditional Bajans that built this country had very little financially, but they had values, morality, integrity, industry. They worked to get what they wanted and what they could not afford they did without,” Moore reminded.

 

The consultant also urged the parents to set the example for their children by teaching them the values of industry and the concept of earning.

 

Pointing to the transition from primary to secondary school, she told the parents that their children will need great support at this time.

 

“You must get very involved in monitoring and helping your children’s homework and performance. If you can, lessons are often needed from first form. Often teachers are absent and you need to be monitoring that the syllabi are covered.”

 

She stressed that the hard work at their new schools will now be beginning and noted that there are many different avenues that can be taken in order to succeed in life. (JH)