Mindset Shift: Lessons from David Wood’s Break Through Training

Enterprise For KidsTeam Mindset, Confidence & Leadership, Raising Entrepreneurial Kids , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments
Mindset Shift: Lessons from David Wood’s Break Through Training

Mindset shift was the biggest lesson we took from David Wood’s Break Through Training. It challenged us to face fear, take responsibility, change our environment and step beyond what felt comfortable.

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This article is not just about a training weekend. It is about the kind of thinking we want our children to grow up around: courage, connection, responsibility, positive reference groups and the belief that who you were does not have to be who you become.

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David Wood teaching mindset shift lessons through Break Through Training
David Wood’s Break Through Training challenged us to face fear, take responsibility and shift our mindset.

Mindset Shift: Lessons from David Wood’s Break Through Training

We were spellbound by David Wood’s energy, inspiration and mastery when he presented his Break Through Training Program to us. His message was confronting, exciting and deeply practical:

Everything is possible for anyone, despite circumstance.

But possibility is not enough on its own. David challenged us to step out, go after what we want, and stop allowing fear to pull us back. He taught that we must take 100% responsibility for what we have and what we do not have, without blame, justification or excuse.

That is where the real mindset shift begins.

We are the only ones who can make the shift in thinking and create success for ourselves. No one else can do that inner work for us.

Why a Mindset Shift Matters for Adults and Children

During the three-day program, we gained tremendous insights into ourselves, how we connect with people and how we approach life.

David emphasised the importance of connecting with people. His tip was very simple:

Say “hello” — and do it as often as you can, with energy.

This sounds simple, but it is a powerful lesson. Many adults and children hold themselves back because they are afraid of rejection, embarrassment or not knowing what to say. A small act like saying hello can become a starting point for confidence, connection and courage.

This links closely with what many educators now call a growth mindset: the belief that abilities can develop over time through effort, strategies and learning. Stanford’s growth mindset resources explain that this idea comes from Carol Dweck’s child psychology research. You can read more about growth mindset through Stanford here.

For us, David’s training was a very real, physical version of this lesson. We were not just hearing about growth. We were being pushed to practise it.

Break Through Training in Perth helping people create a mindset shift
Break Through Training in Perth challenged us to think differently, connect with people and take action.

A Mindset Shift Around Hearing “No”

One of the things that stood out for us was David’s teaching that “no” does not always mean “no forever”.

David reminded us, in a fun game, how to respond when we hear a “no”. Instead of shrinking, blaming ourselves or deciding we are not good enough, he encouraged us to do the Happy Dance.

And he meant really do it.

Do not let yourself go down the path of:

  • I didn’t present well enough.
  • I didn’t know my stuff well enough.
  • I’m not qualified enough.
  • They rejected me, so I should stop trying.

Instead, whenever you hear a no, see it as one step closer to your next yes.

That is a powerful mindset shift for children too. Whether they are selling lolly bags, speaking in front of a class, trying out for a team, making a new friend or asking for help, they need to learn that a “no” is not the end of the road.

Reference Groups and the Mindset Shift We Want for Our Kids

Many of the distinctions and lessons David taught were strongly aligned with what we had been learning through our Money Mastery course with our mentor Paul Counsel. One of those lessons was the importance of a reference group.

“I become the sum of the five people I spend the most time with.”

If we want amazing results in our lives, we need to associate with people who are moving toward those results. One way to do that is to attend events, join mentor groups and build friendships with energetic, motivated and successful people.

We also recognise that this is just as important for our children. That is why we encourage them to mix with positive peer groups and get involved in sporting teams, enterprise projects and real-world learning experiences.

As David put it:

“Environment is stronger than willpower.”

Rather than relying on willpower alone, we can change the environment and reference group. For children, this might mean being around teammates, creative friends, entrepreneurial families, positive mentors and adults who model courage and responsibility.

Cathy and Trevor with David Wood learning about reference groups and mindset shift
Being around motivated people reminded us how powerful our reference group can be.

Mindset Shift Through Getting Uncomfortable

We also learned that success is not convenient. It requires getting out of routine and comfort.

During the training program, David pushed our boundaries so we could practise being uncomfortable. We talked to strangers on the street, missed coffee breaks, hugged each other, held hands with people we did not know, stayed late past the planned program times, spoke publicly, became vulnerable, and danced and danced and danced.

We loved one of his favourite sayings:

“Get so uncomfortable about being uncomfortable that you get comfortable.”

This is something we definitely need to encourage in schools and families. Children need safe opportunities to stretch. They need to try things that feel a little awkward at first. That might be public speaking, selling a product, meeting someone new, performing, joining a team, making a phone call or trying again after failure.

Confidence grows when children do brave things in small steps.

Cathy and Trevor with David Wood after learning comfort zone and mindset shift lessons
David Wood pushed us to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Personal Responsibility Creates a Mindset Shift

David shared a simple exercise that he said could completely change your life:

Do not blame, justify or complain for ninety days.

That is a huge challenge. It asks us to stop handing away responsibility and start noticing what we can change.

David truly believes that no dreamer is ever too small and no dream is ever too big. He says that if you do not know where you are going, every road will get you there. So the first step is to begin. Choose a direction and start walking.

He also reminded us:

“We will miss 100% of the shots we never take.”

So just believe in yourself and have a go.

This is another important lesson for entrepreneurial kids. They do not need to wait until they are perfect. They need to begin, learn, adjust and keep going.

Who You Were Can Completely Change

David pointed out that everyone was once a disaster, including him.

His life certainly did not start out on the right track. His dad left the family when he was seven, and he grew up angry with his mother. He dropped out of school and was in all kinds of trouble as a teenager living on the streets. He spent years travelling around the world, broke and living day to day. He worked as a chimney sweeper, window cleaner and barman.

But David discovered for himself that who you were can completely change. This realisation led to different thinking, which brought him wealth, success and happiness beyond what he had once expected.

His success was a direct result of a change in thinking and attitude.

Paul Counsel also supports the view that we are a product of our thinking. What we think and believe can shape our reality, choices and results.

David points out that our results tell us what is going on in our lives. If we are unhappy, stuck or struggling, then we may need to consider whether what we have been doing up until now is working. If we do not find a new way and make changes, our results may continue to look the same.

His advice was to stop taking advice from broke, unhappy people and seek out successful mentors and friends who can move us in the right direction.

Mindset Shift Lessons from Friends at the Training

Friends who attended the Break Through Training with us shared how deeply the weekend affected them.

“An amazing weekend with David in Perth along with an awesome group of people… all willing to feel the fear and do it anyway! Life is not a dress rehearsal… just do it! Stop justifying, blaming and complaining… Grab happiness with both hands… Thank you so much! If you ever have the opportunity to spend time with David — take it!” — Tracey

“Thanks David for an awesome weekend! If someone had told me I could sit through three massive days of training and never once feel like I was falling asleep, I would have said impossible. The way you share the information and teach is inspirational. So many laughs and take-away lessons — none more so than how to connect and change the warmth in a room. Inspired to say hello more often.” — Melissa

“David, this weekend in Perth has left a permanent imprint in my heart and mind. I will take 100% responsibility for what I have and what I do not have! Your seminar was so well presented and motivational that I have already started applying the strategies to every aspect of my life and have been dancing my no boogie quite regularly!” — Denise

David Wood, The Kickass Life and Managing Your Thoughts

One of our favourite podcast episodes from David Wood’s The Kickass Life series was his interview with Andrea Owen. She talked about becoming your own biggest fan and becoming a legend in your own mind.

We loved that idea. Get rid of disempowering thoughts. And if the thoughts will not go away, learn to manage them. Take the power away from the gremlins inside your head.

Jack Canfield interview with David Wood about mindset shift and personal responsibility
David Wood’s ideas also connected with wider personal development lessons about responsibility, courage and taking action.

Why This Mindset Shift Matters for Entrepreneurial Kids

David Wood gave excellent teachings about daily life, relationships and business, especially around referral businesses and the power of connecting with people.

In this day and age, referrals are still a powerful way that businesses keep loyal customers. Young people are growing up in a world where networking, connection and communication are part of everyday life through sport, school, community and multimedia.

But the bigger lesson is not only about business. It is about helping children become brave enough to take responsibility, connect with people, try new things, dream big and recover from rejection.

That is the mindset shift we want for our children.

Key Takeaway: A Mindset Shift Begins With Responsibility

Key takeaway: A real mindset shift begins when we stop blaming, step outside our comfort zone, choose positive reference groups and take responsibility for our results. These are powerful lessons for adults, children and entrepreneurial families.

Where to Next?

Have you ever experienced a mindset shift that changed the way you handled fear, responsibility or discomfort? We would love to hear your story in the comments.

Plan to Buy Gold and Silver!

Enterprise For KidsTeam Money Lessons for Kids, Raising Entrepreneurial Kids , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments
Plan to Buy Gold and Silver!

Buy Perth Mint coins may sound like an unusual money lesson for kids, but for our family it became a practical way to talk about planning, saving, assets, liabilities and long-term thinking.

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Most people have a plan for how to make money, but not always a plan for what to do with that money once they earn it. This became an important conversation in our family as our children started earning money through their own little enterprises.

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Kids outside the Perth Mint learning how to buy Perth Mint coins and understand assets
A visit to the Perth Mint became a real-world money lesson about assets, saving and planning ahead.

Buy Perth Mint Coins: A Money Lesson for Kids

“Failing to plan is planning to fail!” — Robert Kiyosaki

Robert Kiyosaki points out that many people work hard to earn money, but do not have a clear plan for what to do with it. Often, those same people can still end up feeling short of money, even when they earn more.

That idea really made us think. Our own children were busy planning their enterprises and successfully making money. They had plans to buy things they wanted, such as Nerf guns, iPods, computers and other exciting items, but they did not yet have much of a plan to buy assets.

So we decided it was time to have a family conversation about planning what to do with earned money. The idea to buy Perth Mint coins gave us one very practical way to make that conversation real.

Kids money plan showing how children can plan for assets liabilities and saving
Kids need a simple plan for what to do with their money once they earn it.

Why Kids Need a Money Plan Before They Buy Perth Mint Coins

Kids need an education on how to plan what to do with their money when they earn it. It is not enough to teach children how to make money. They also need to learn how to save, give, spend wisely and think about assets.

Kiyosaki explains the difference between spending money on things that take money away from you and spending money on things that can hold or grow value over time.

The simple lesson for kids is this:

  • Liabilities are things we buy that usually lose value or cost us more money.
  • Assets are things that may hold value, grow in value, or help create income over time.

We had already written about our family conversations around assets and liabilities. You can read that article here: Financial Education for Kids: Teaching Assets and Liabilities.

Once the idea of assets and liabilities was explained to our kids, they could begin to make a more thoughtful money plan. That plan included money for things they wanted, money for giving, and money for buying assets.

Buy Perth Mint Coins as a Real-World Asset Lesson

When children are learning about assets, it helps if the lesson is concrete. Shares, property and business systems can be a bit abstract for young children, but coins are real. They can be held, seen, weighed and discussed.

That is why the idea to buy Perth Mint coins became such an interesting family money lesson. It gave us a way to talk about gold, silver, assets, inflation and long-term thinking in a way the kids could actually picture.

To be clear, this is not financial advice. Families need to do their own research, understand the risks, and make decisions based on their own circumstances. MoneySmart explains that an investing plan should consider your goals, timeframe and risk tolerance, and that diversification helps reduce risk by spreading money across different investments.

For us, the key lesson was not “everyone should buy gold or silver.” The key lesson was that children can learn to think differently about money.

Gold and Silver as One Example of an Asset

Subscribers to this blog may remember that we hosted a Gold and Silver Seminar in Bunbury. Our presenter, Andrew Smith, was a mining engineer, investor and businessman who had been closely involved with the world of gold and silver mining for many years.

He gave several reasons why gold and silver may be worth considering as long-term assets. More importantly for our kids, he gave us some great conversation starters about money, inflation and planning.

First gold coin from Lydia used in a kids money lesson about gold and assets
Gold Coin from Lydia.
Aussie gold coin used to teach kids about assets and long-term money planning
Aussie Gold 2012 Coin.

Gold and silver have been recognised around the world as stores of value for a very long time. Unlike paper currencies, which can lose buying power over time through inflation, precious metals are often discussed as a possible hedge against currency devaluation.

That became an interesting discussion point with the kids. We were not trying to turn them into investment experts. We were simply helping them understand that money has buying power, and buying power can change over time.

The Meat Pie Indicator: Inflation for Kids

Andrew explained inflation using what he called the “Meat Pie Indicator”.

Back in 1970, you could buy a meat pie for around 40 cents. Many years later, the same sort of pie might cost several dollars. That simple comparison helped the kids see that the dollar does not always buy the same amount over time.

That is a very practical way to explain inflation for kids. Rather than starting with economics, you start with something simple: a meat pie.

The money lesson is this:

  • If prices rise, the same amount of cash buys less.
  • If children only save cash and spend on liabilities, they may not build long-term value.
  • If children learn to plan, save and buy assets, they begin to think differently.

This was one of the reasons gold and silver became part of our conversation. It was not just about precious metals. It was about teaching the kids to ask, “What happens to my money over time?”

Buy Perth Mint Coins: Why the Perth Mint Made the Lesson Real

The Perth Mint gave this lesson a real-world connection. Instead of only talking about gold and silver in theory, the kids could see the building, look at coins and bullion, and understand that money can be connected to history, value and planning.

The Perth Mint sells gold, silver and platinum bullion coins, minted bars and cast bars in a variety of sizes. That makes it a useful place for families to explore the idea of precious metals as one possible asset class. You can visit the official Perth Mint bullion page to learn more.

For children, silver may be easier to understand than gold because the price point can be more manageable. A child may not be able to buy a gold coin, but they may be able to save toward a small silver coin or bar.

Again, the aim is not to pressure children into buying precious metals. The aim is to teach them to think:

  • What am I doing with the money I earn?
  • Am I spending everything?
  • Am I saving some?
  • Am I giving some?
  • Am I learning to buy assets?

For our family, the decision to buy Perth Mint coins was really a doorway into better conversations about money, choices and long-term thinking.

Buy Perth Mint Coins, But Teach the Bigger Money Lesson

The keyword may be buy Perth Mint coins, but the bigger lesson is not only about coins. It is about money planning.

Our children needed to understand that earning money through enterprise was only the beginning. Once they had money in their hands, they needed to make decisions. Would they spend it all? Would they save some? Would they give some? Would they set aside money for assets?

This is where a simple three-part money plan can help children.

1. Money for spending

Children still need to enjoy the reward of their work. Buying something they have worked for can be a powerful lesson in effort and reward.

2. Money for assets

This is the part that helps children think long term. Assets might include precious metals, shares, a small business asset, tools for their enterprise, or another age-appropriate example that helps them understand value.

3. Money for giving

Giving helps children connect money with generosity. In our family, this was important because we wanted enterprise to build character, not just cash.

Gold, Silver and Long-Term Thinking

During the seminar, we also discussed why gold and silver can attract long-term interest. People use them for jewellery, coins, bullion, technology and industry. Gold and silver are also often discussed during times when people are concerned about inflation, currencies or financial uncertainty.

These ideas can become quite complex, so for children we kept the lesson simple:

Some things we buy lose value quickly. Some things may hold value for longer.

That distinction is a powerful start.

Indian bridal jewellery used in a gold and silver money lesson for kids
Indian Bridal Jewellery.

In countries such as India and China, gold and silver have long been connected with culture, jewellery, celebrations and family wealth. That gave us another way to talk to the kids about how different cultures think about money, value and assets.

We also talked about silver being used in everyday products and technology. That helped the children see that precious metals are not only shiny objects. They can also have practical uses.

Charts, Prices and Why Children Need Context

The original version of this article included old gold and silver price charts from around 2012. They were useful at the time, but prices change constantly, so I would not want the children to focus only on old numbers.

The better lesson is to help children understand that prices move, markets change, and no asset goes up in a straight line forever.

Gold chart used to teach kids that asset prices change over time
Gold chart used as a discussion starter about changing prices.
Silver chart used in a kids money lesson about assets and price changes
Silver chart used as a discussion starter about long-term value.

That is why we also talked about diversification. Children do not need to understand the whole investment world at once, but they can begin to understand that putting every dollar into one thing may not be wise.

MoneySmart’s investing plan guidance is a useful Australian resource for families because it encourages people to set goals, understand risk, research options and think carefully before investing.

Buy Perth Mint Coins and Set Family Money Goals

The Perth Mint sells gold, silver and platinum, including coins and bullion. For our kids, the most realistic conversation was probably around silver, because gold was much more expensive.

Perth Mint building used in a money lesson about buying Perth Mint coins and assets
The Perth Mint helped make the money lesson feel real.

Our kids now had new goals. Their goals were broken into three parts:

  • a part for buying things they wanted,
  • a part for buying assets,
  • and a part for tithing or giving.

That simple structure helped them see that money does not have to disappear as soon as it is earned. Whether children eventually buy Perth Mint coins, save toward a business tool, or choose another asset later, the important lesson is that they are learning to plan.

A Four-Part Money Box for Kids

One practical tool that can help children is a money box divided into sections. Some families use jars, envelopes or labelled containers. The point is to help children physically separate their money into different purposes.

For example, children might divide their money into:

  • Spend — for things they want now.
  • Save — for bigger goals.
  • Invest — for assets or future opportunities.
  • Give — for generosity, tithing or causes they care about.
Money box for kids with sections for saving spending investing and giving
A divided money box can help children plan where their money goes.

Buy Perth Mint Coins as Part of a Bigger Financial Education

When we talk about how to buy Perth Mint coins, we are really talking about a much bigger financial education.

We are teaching children to pause before spending everything. We are teaching them to ask better questions. We are teaching them to think about the future. We are teaching them that money can be used for enjoyment, generosity and long-term goals.

The real win is not whether a child buys a silver coin, a gold coin, shares, tools for a small business or another asset later on. The real win is that they begin thinking like someone who plans.

Key Takeaway: Buy Perth Mint Coins to Teach Planning

Key takeaway: Learning how to buy Perth Mint coins can be a practical way to start a bigger family conversation about money planning, assets, liabilities, saving, giving, inflation and long-term thinking.

Where to Next?

Have you used coins, jars, money boxes or real-world experiences to teach your children about saving, giving and buying assets? We would love to hear your ideas in the comments.

What Can I Sell to Make Money as a Student? Amber’s Resale Enterprise

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What Can I Sell to Make Money as a Student? Amber’s Resale Enterprise

What can I sell to make money as a student? Amber’s “New From Old” enterprise is a real family example of how a young person can buy, clean, advertise and resell second-hand items for profit.

Instead of waiting for the perfect idea, Amber looked for useful items, solved simple problems for buyers and learned valuable business skills along the way.

what can i sell to make money as a student brainstorming resale ideas
Brainstorming ideas for a kids resale enterprise.

What Can I Sell to Make Money as a Student?

What can I sell to make money as a student? That is a question many kids and parents ask when they want a simple, practical business idea.

There are hundreds of possibilities. Yet when chatting to parents, they often tell me they would really like their kids to have a little business enterprise of their own, but they just can’t think of a good idea.

Here’s the tip: think about the problems or needs your local community has. Then ask whether a kids’ enterprise could be built around solving one of those problems.

Another angle is to consider what skill your child already has and how they could put that skill to good use.

Brainstorming What Students Can Sell

If your child is wondering, what can I sell to make money as a student?, start by brainstorming ideas on paper. Keep going until you have exhausted all possible ideas, whether or not you intend to use them.

Try asking neighbours what issues or problems they have and add these to your list.

Generally, people have time issues. That is where a business idea can begin. Not enough time to mow the lawn, clean large rubbish bins, chop wood, tend to the kids’ homework, clean windows, rake leaves, tutor younger children, pull weeds or clean the car — you get the picture.

If you are still stumped, this blog is full of real family enterprise stories and practical kids business ideas.

Amber’s “New From Old” Resale Enterprise

Amber’s “New From Old” enterprise has been going great guns right from the beginning. Her money jars are filling up, and really she hasn’t had to do much work at all.

She reached the goal she set a while back and is now preparing to take her business to another level. We’ll talk more about that in a later blog.

If you are new to our blog and haven’t yet followed Amber’s enterprise journey, you may like to start with Kids Business Ideas: Amber’s Kids Biz Program.

Amber’s resale enterprise in action:

what can i sell to make money as a student Amber resale enterprise sign
Recycling for profit
student resale business idea selling toddler ride-on toys
Toddler ride-on toys

Finding Things to Sell for Profit

Amber makes the fortnightly trip to the local Recycling and Waste Recovery Centre. It sells anything salvageable.

The guy who runs the place now knows Amber and understands that she is running her own business. Through this process, Amber has developed important skills in negotiating and connecting with a network.

When she identifies an opportunity, she confidently strikes up a deal with the Recycle Man.

Much of the stuff for sale is really not worth the effort to resell. It is a bit like looking for a gold nugget among the boulders. Over the months, Amber’s ability to pick profitable items has improved and she now has an eye for a bargain.

This is one reason the question, what can I sell to make money as a student?, is so useful. It teaches children to think carefully about value, demand and effort before spending their money.

student resale idea pet cage cleaned and sold for profit
Pet cage

Learning What Is Worth Buying

The items that can be resold are generally the ones that solve people’s problems. Pet cages, baby toys, storage items and exercise equipment are good examples.

These items need to be well presented and in good condition. Amber looks for opportunities that don’t require spending lots of time and money fixing them up.

Ideally, she buys things that just need a good clean, a lick of paint or a new set of batteries.

Amber has also learnt from her mistakes. She once bought a perfect condition four-man tent still in its new box for $10, only to discover later that it had no pegs or poles. Buying pegs and poles new would blow her costs out and leave her running at a loss.

That one was put down to experience. Does anyone have free pegs and poles?

what can i sell to make money as a student aquarium resale idea
Fish aquarium

What Can I Sell to Make Money as a Student? Research First

Sometimes Amber sees a possible opportunity but holds off buying it until she has done her research.

She works out what it will cost to repair or tidy up the item. Paint brushes, varnish, batteries, sandpaper and labour all need to be considered.

Then she looks at what others are selling similar items for online. By doing her research, Amber has a better idea of how much she can pay in order to make a reasonable profit.

For older students ready to take a business idea further, Business.gov.au has helpful information on starting a business when you’re under 18.

Writing Ads and Making Sales

Amber sells almost all her items on Buy and Sell Bunbury Facebook. She set up her own Facebook page for the sole purpose of participating in the buy-and-sell market.

She writes her own ads, uploads her own pictures and converses with customers online and on the telephone.

When a buyer arrives, Amber presents her goods and collects payment.

student selling online writing ads for resale items
Amber placing her adverts onto Buy & Sell Facebook with the gang watching on!

Real Examples of What Amber Sold

We’ve watched Amber continuously grow in confidence with her enterprise. She has found and built her own business around solving problems, using creativity and communicating with people.

Some of the items Amber acquired and on-sold for profit can be seen in the pictures on this blog.

The five outdoor toddler toys were bought for a good price. She scrubbed them, put new batteries in one, charged the battery in another and sold them all for $60.

The aquarium and pet cages just needed a clean, and she made a profit of $25.

student resale enterprise display shelves sold for profit
Display shelves

Her corner display required screwing together, and she made a profit of $20.

Her current project is a very large timber outdoor table. She paid $10 and hopes to sell it for a profit after sanding it back and varnishing it.

Amber has also been collecting succulent plants from friends. Her plan is to paint decorative ceramic pots and plant hardy succulents in them, then sell them at a market day.

What Students Can Learn from Amber’s Enterprise

This story is a practical answer to the question, what can I sell to make money as a student?

Amber’s answer was simple: find items people need, buy carefully, improve presentation, advertise clearly and communicate well with buyers.

She also talks about her goals, buying assets and gifting money in the original video clip. You can view it here: Amber reflecting on her business and goals.

Amber making a sale in her student resale enterprise
Amber making a sale!

It will be very interesting to see where her entrepreneurial journey takes her as she grows older. She loves writing, so maybe she will write a book about her journey one day.

Key takeaway: If your child is asking, “what can I sell to make money as a student?”, start with simple resale opportunities. Look for useful items, check the costs, solve a buyer’s problem and learn from each sale.

Where to Next?

If you enjoyed this family enterprise story, you may also like:

We would love to hear from you, so please leave a comment.

Entrepreneurship for Students: How Do Entrepreneurs Think?

Enterprise For KidsTeam Mindset, Confidence & Leadership, Raising Entrepreneurial Kids , , , , , , , , , 7 Comments
Entrepreneurship for Students: How Do Entrepreneurs Think?

Entrepreneurship for students is not just about starting a business. It is about learning how to think differently, spot opportunities, solve problems, take action and build confidence in the real world.

When children learn how entrepreneurs think, they begin to see that their ideas matter. They also begin to understand that money, work, creativity and contribution can be approached in a very different way.

Entrepreneurship for students shown through Jai Howitt coaching Chayse on business strategy
Jai coaching Chayse through business strategy and entrepreneurial thinking. Watch Jai coach Chayse.

Entrepreneurship for Students: How Do Entrepreneurs Think?

In an earlier article, we spoke of charitable entrepreneurs and successful business thinkers such as Richard Branson, Warren Buffett and John Templeton.

They, together with many other successful people, have extraordinary stories to tell about their entrepreneurial journeys. Some will tell you they struggled at school, dropped out, were dyslexic, or found reading and writing difficult. Others came from homes of poverty, while some were born into families where business and enterprise were already part of everyday life.

Although their backgrounds and circumstances differed, one thing often remained the same: they thought in a similar way.

It is not circumstance alone that creates an entrepreneur. It is mindset.

That is why entrepreneurship for students matters. Young people need more than information. They need the chance to develop the kind of thinking that helps them create opportunities, make decisions, solve problems and take responsibility for their future.

Why Entrepreneurial Thinking Matters for Families

What we have come to understand is that for our family to become economically and personally free, we need to question our conditioning around money and then reprogram our subconscious minds with a new success money mindset.

Many wealthy and successful people either developed this mindset from their upbringing, or they discovered it for themselves. Sometimes this happened consciously, through study and self-development. At other times, it happened unconsciously through experience, environment and action.

It is often said that only a small percentage of people live with real economic and personal freedom. The bigger question is this: what do they do differently?

More to the point: how do entrepreneurs think?

Before we look deeper into that, consider this.

Entrepreneurship for Students Starts with Money Mindset

Wealth creation and poverty mindset lesson for students
The way children think about money can shape the opportunities they see.

Whether we like it or not, we are being conditioned constantly to think a certain way about money. We are conditioned by our family, schools, advertising, politicians, television, social media and friends.

Many people become tied to jobs and debt because the conditioning they have received favours a money mindset of lack, rather than abundance.

Do any of the following sound familiar?

  • “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”
  • “Money is the root of all evil.”
  • “You’ve got to work hard for your money.”
  • “Get a good, well-paying job and you’ll be set for life.”
  • “Buy a home, it will be your best investment ever.”
  • “We can’t afford it.”
  • “What job do you want to do when you grow up?”
  • “Go for the cheaper ones.”

Only this morning, I was listening to a friend talking with his teenage sons. He told them they needed to get jobs. He explained that he had a job pushing shopping trolleys at their age. He even went down to the local IGA supermarket and picked up applications for them to apply for jobs.

When I was fifteen, I started out with a casual job working at a Target store. My hourly rate was $2.90 an hour.

All of the above are examples of conditioning. Much of our thinking about money, work and possibility is formed very early in life.

What Schools Often Teach About Work and Money

Our schools are largely designed to prepare workers for the workforce. Banks make money by selling debt. Governments collect taxes and often depend on people staying within predictable systems. Retail businesses make money by encouraging us to spend. Big businesses need workers to build their businesses.

There is definitely a design to much of this madness.

That does not mean jobs are bad. It also does not mean every child needs to become a business owner. However, it does mean young people should know there are other pathways.

They should understand that work, money, creativity and contribution can be approached in different ways.

This is why financial education for kids is so important. Children need to learn about money, value, assets, liabilities, work, enterprise and choice before they enter adulthood.

Entrepreneurial Mindset for Young People

What our family has discovered is that our money mindsets are changing. We are learning that it is okay to accept money and to have money. In fact, it is okay to offer something of value to others and receive payment in return.

Working hard in a job is not the only pathway for young people entering our big world.

There are other ways. These pathways can allow young people to follow their passions and dreams while making a meaningful contribution to whatever they consider important.

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if all our kids could achieve economic and personal freedom?

People who have achieved financial freedom through being entrepreneurial tend to have a mindset of abundance. Their habits differ. Their thinking differs. Their actions differ.

This is why we keep coming back to the bigger idea of raising entrepreneurial kids. It is not just about business. It is about helping children become confident, capable, creative and resourceful.

How Entrepreneurs Think: Lessons from Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich entrepreneurial mindset lesson
Napoleon Hill studied how successful people think and act.

Rather than attempting to explain every detail of how entrepreneurs think, I will refer to one of the most influential books ever written on personal and financial achievement.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill was originally published in 1937. Hill spent his life studying successful people and recording how they think and act. He became successful himself by following the distinctions in his own book and by modelling himself on his mentors.

Think and Grow Rich is essentially a book about what to do and how to do it. It explores ideas such as self-direction, organised planning, autosuggestion, mastermind association, self-analysis and the selling of personal services.

The thirteen steps to riches described in the book offer a philosophy of individual achievement that has influenced thousands of people’s lives.

This book could be worth a great deal to you and your kids, not simply because of the money ideas, but because of the thinking behind them.

At the time of this original article, Cathy was rewriting Napoleon Hill’s book in a way that would be suitable for kids to read, with simple explanations and modern examples they could better relate to. It was a work in progress, built around the idea that children should be able to understand powerful success principles in language that makes sense to them.

You can also learn more about Napoleon Hill’s work through the Napoleon Hill Foundation.

Entrepreneurship for Students in Real Life

For our family, entrepreneurship for students has never been just a theory. It has been something we have tried to encourage through conversations, real-life projects, mentoring and practical action.

Looking back now, we can see how these early conversations about entrepreneurial thinking have carried through into real life. The goal was never just to teach our children about business. It was to help them become confident, resourceful young people who could spot opportunities, solve problems and take action.

Today, we see that continuing as Jai shares business ideas and strategy with his younger brother Chayse, passing on what he has learnt through his own entrepreneurial journey.

Jai has gone on to build his own entrepreneurial path through creative work, content and business. You can see part of that journey through Art of Mondays.

Key Takeaway: Teach Students to Think Like Entrepreneurs

Key takeaway: Entrepreneurship for students is about far more than making money. It is about helping young people think differently, understand value, recognise opportunity, solve problems and take action in the real world.

Where to Next?

If you enjoyed this article about entrepreneurship for students and entrepreneurial thinking, you may also like:

We would love to hear your thoughts. How do you think entrepreneurs think differently, and how can we help children develop that mindset while they are still young?

How Bad Do You Want It?

Cathy and Trevor Mindset, Confidence & Leadership , , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments
How Bad Do You Want It?

How bad do you want it? That question became a powerful student motivation lesson in our family after Kaitlin shared a short video about success, focus and wanting something badly enough to keep going.

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We were originally going to write about Kit and Chayse’s enterprise goals, but this video made us pause. It challenged us to think about what real commitment looks like — not just for business, but for study, sport, family, financial freedom and life.

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How Bad Do You Want It video clip used as a student motivation lesson about focus and goals
How Bad Do You Want It? Click the image to watch the video that sparked this lesson on focus, goals and success.

How Bad Do You Want It? A Student Motivation Lesson

Our daughter Kaitlin saw the How Bad Do You Want It? video on YouTube and sent us the link. We thought it was awesome. It does not go for very long, but the message is strong enough to stay with you.

The video tells the story of a young man who wanted to be successful. He went to a guru and said he wanted to be on the same level. The guru took him into the water and eventually held his head under until the young man desperately wanted air.

“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.”

That is a confronting image, but it makes the point. Many of us say we want success, but we also want comfort, convenience, distraction and easy results at the same time.

After watching the video, it made us ask ourselves honestly: do we really want it, or do we only kind of want it?

Intense desire quote from How Bad Do You Want It student motivation lesson

How Bad Do You Want It When Life Gets Busy?

Want what, you may ask?

Well, anything really.

How much do we want our fitness levels to be at their best? How much do we want to be financially free? How much do we want a happy and loving family life? How much do we want time with friends, unique experiences and a life that feels meaningful?

For us, it is a little bit of everything.

But one of the things we realised while completing Paul Counsel’s Money Mastery course was this: when we split our attention between everything, we often get a medium result from everything.

There is nothing wrong with that. It can make life comfortable, and that is fine for many people.

But for us, we were ready to challenge ourselves. We were ready to step up and make a difference in those areas in a big way, not an average way.

How Bad Do You Want It quote about wanting success and staying committed
Wanting success is easy. Staying focused long enough to earn it is the challenge.

Student Motivation Starts With Focus

This is where the video becomes such a useful student motivation lesson.

Students often say they want strong results. They want good marks, sporting success, creative achievement, friendships, confidence or future opportunities. But the real question is whether their daily actions match what they say they want.

That is not a criticism. It is a life lesson.

Focus is difficult. Life is noisy. Friends, phones, family, sport, school, work, hobbies and distractions all pull at our attention. Even adults struggle with this.

But if a teenager wants a result badly enough, they need to learn how to protect their focus. That might mean:

  • doing the study before the distraction,
  • finishing the task before moving on,
  • training when they do not feel like training,
  • asking for help instead of giving up,
  • and remembering why the goal matters.

This is not only about school. The same lesson applies to young entrepreneurs, young athletes, musicians, writers and children with business ideas.

How Bad Do You Want It as a Family?

As parents, we also had to ask ourselves the same question.

So, while we may not exist on three hours of sleep a night — although that has been debatable at times with an eighteen-month-old in the house — we do put in long hours.

We stay up late, long after the kids have gone to bed, working on our internet business, studies, trading and health and wellbeing business. We are not doing this because we want to be busy for the sake of being busy. We are doing it because we are trying to build a future with more freedom, more choice and more meaningful experiences for our family.

Focus your mind and energy on what you want as a student motivation lesson
Where your attention goes, your results often follow.

We know we are already successful in some parts of our lives. We have a wonderful family and supportive friends, and we know that came through dedication and focus.

Now we are working to transfer that same focus into other areas of life.

Financial Freedom and Determined Focus

Financial freedom has always been one of the bigger goals behind Enterprise for Kids. Not because money is the only measure of success, but because freedom gives families options.

When we are financially free, we can create more time with our kids. We can hire help for some of the mundane things in life. We can create awesome experiences beyond what we have already had. We can take time to enrich our relationships without constantly worrying about the next bill.

That takes determined focus.

It may take us longer to achieve our goals than it will for Giavanni Ruffin, the athlete in the video. He has major, unstoppable focus and he will achieve. It is not a matter of if. It is a matter of when.

But even if we used just a tenth of that energy and commitment, it would still be better than having no focus at all.

Commitment quote about focus and how bad do you want it
Clear intention and determined focus help turn goals into action.

How to Stay Focused on Your Goals

One of the strongest lessons from this video is that attention matters.

Where your attention is held is what tends to show up in your life. You need to attend to your intention. A clear intention, backed by determined focus, can set you on the right path to success.

For children and teenagers, this can be made very practical.

1. Name the goal clearly

A vague goal is easy to ignore. A clear goal gives the mind something to aim at.

2. Ask why it matters

Children need to know why the goal matters to them, not just why it matters to the adults around them.

3. Remove one distraction

Focus does not always require a complete life overhaul. Sometimes it starts by removing one distraction for one hour.

4. Take one action today

The best motivation for students often comes after action, not before it. Start small, then build momentum.

5. Review the result

After the action, ask: what worked, what did not work, and what is the next step?

Goal Setting for Teenagers and Enterprising Kids

This lesson on focus can be applied by anyone. It applies to teenagers studying at high school, kids with big sporting ambitions, parents developing a business, and young people building an enterprise.

Kaitlin was challenged with maintaining focus in her studies. We were glad she discovered this video, thought about its excellent message, and decided to share it with us.

That is exactly what we want for our children. We want them to notice ideas that challenge them. We want them to question themselves. We want them to think about what they want and whether their habits are helping them get there.

For enterprising kids, this is especially important. Business ideas are exciting at the start, but results usually come after the boring, repetitive, uncomfortable parts: following up, finishing the job, practising the skill, serving the customer, improving the offer and trying again after disappointment.

How Bad Do You Want It? Part 2

If you enjoyed the first video clip and thought that was all there was, you may also like the second part.

How Bad Do You Want It Part 2 video for student motivation and focus
How Bad Do You Want It? Part 2 — click the image to view.

Key Takeaway: How Bad Do You Want It?

Key takeaway: How bad do you want it? Success is not only about wanting a result. It is about focus, commitment and taking repeated action when the goal matters enough.

Where to Next?

How badly do you want the goal you say matters to you? And what is one action you can take today to move closer to it?

An Entrepreneur’s Conscience!

Enterprise For KidsTeam Mindset, Confidence & Leadership, Raising Entrepreneurial Kids , , , , , , , , , , , 12 Comments
An Entrepreneur’s Conscience!

Kidpreneurs can learn far more than how to make money. When children start small enterprises, they can also learn generosity, responsibility, confidence, persistence and the importance of using money wisely.

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This article began with a conversation I had with a dear friend. Her children were inspired by our Enterprise for Kids stories, but she raised a thoughtful question: should children be encouraged to make money for themselves, or should enterprise always be connected to giving?

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Child celebrating a Kidpreneurs enterprise lesson about making money and giving generously
Enterprise for Kids was created to inspire children to think bigger, take action and learn real-world money lessons.

Kidpreneurs: Can Kids Make Money and Still Be Charitable?

I was talking with a dear friend and asked what she thought of our Enterprise for Kids blog. She said it was very well done and that her kids were inspired by our children’s enterprise experiences.

Her children had read every blog post and watched every video. Then her nine-year-old daughter sat down and planned an enterprise of her own, following many of the lessons we had shared on the blog.

Wow!

That is exactly the kind of inspiration we hoped to encourage, especially with kids. We wanted children to see other children having ideas, taking action, learning from real experiences and discovering that they could create something of their own.

What Happened Next Surprised Me

Child frustrated while learning a Kidpreneurs money lesson about enterprise and generosity
Children can feel confused when adults send mixed messages about money, enterprise and giving.

My friend explained that she liked the idea of enterprise, but she was not comfortable with children having an enterprise where they make money for themselves.

I was a little taken aback when she said this. I had never really thought that some people might believe children should not make money from their own efforts unless it was all being given away.

I was also grateful that my friend was honest enough to share her belief. It helped me better understand her thinking, but it also helped me clarify my own.

Firstly, there is no right or wrong in what people believe or do. Everyone is entitled to their views, and I respect my friend’s view.

After this enlightening conversation, I came to realise how far our own mindset around money had changed since we started searching for economic and personal freedom. It also made me think deeply about something I now call the entrepreneur’s conscience.

Kidpreneurs Need a Healthy Money Mindset

If children are going to become confident, capable and generous, they need a healthy money mindset. That means they need to learn that money is not bad, enterprise is not selfish, and making money does not automatically make someone greedy.

Money is a tool. Like any tool, it can be used well or poorly.

A child who learns to earn money can also learn to save, give, invest, spend wisely and support causes they care about. In fact, earning their own money may give children a stronger understanding of generosity because they know the effort that went into creating it.

That is an important lesson for Kidpreneurs.

Money mindset quote for Kidpreneurs learning about enterprise and generosity

Wealthy entrepreneurs often think differently about money. Generally, I would also say that many are not selfish. Of course, some wealthy people are selfish, just as some people without wealth are selfish too.

But many successful entrepreneurial people have persisted with their goals, taken risks, created value, employed people and then used their wealth to support causes they believe in.

It is much easier to be charitable when you have resources. Many people who are struggling to make ends meet simply do not have the time, energy or money to make larger contributions to the world, even if they have a generous heart.

Entrepreneurs and Charitable Giving

Warren Buffett is one example of an entrepreneur and investor who has made philanthropy a major part of his life. On his Giving Pledge page, he states that more than 99% of his wealth will go to philanthropy during his lifetime or at death.

Sir John Templeton is another example. He created the John Templeton Foundation, which supports research and conversations around big questions connected to science, philosophy, theology, character, freedom and human purpose.

Warren Buffett as an example of charitable giving and entrepreneur conscience
Warren Buffett.
John Templeton as an example of philanthropy and values-based entrepreneurship
John Templeton.

These examples matter because they challenge the idea that enterprise and generosity are opposites.

In many cases, enterprise can actually make generosity possible on a much larger scale.

Can Making Money Help Children Become More Generous?

Only last week I was speaking with a new entrepreneur friend who lives in Perth. He had created tremendous wealth developing property, mostly in the Western Australian mining town of Port Hedland.

He explained that he no longer needed to work in the same way and could now channel his energy into his passion. He was planning to take his young family to America, where he had enrolled in a Theology university course. From there, he hoped to do mission work in Africa.

Being a successful entrepreneur was allowing him to follow his charitable dream.

That really stayed with me.

If we teach children that making money is selfish, we may unintentionally close their minds to the possibility that wealth can be used to serve, support, create and give.

However, if we teach Kidpreneurs that enterprise comes with responsibility, we can help them develop both capability and conscience.

The Entrepreneur’s Conscience

Entrepreneur conscience quote for Kidpreneurs learning about money and giving

It could be argued that entrepreneurs may have more freedom, more time, less stress, better health, more travel and more opportunities for their families than those of us tied tightly to a job and debt.

That is not always true, of course. Many entrepreneurs work extremely hard, especially in the early stages.

But successful enterprise can create options. It can create space. It can create time. It can create resources. And when people have more options, they are often in a better position to make a difference.

So, do successful entrepreneurs have an entrepreneur’s conscience?

Some do, and some do not. But the point for children is this: conscience can be taught alongside enterprise.

We can teach kids how to make money and how to think about others. Those two lessons belong together.

Teaching Kidpreneurs to Give

I would like to thank my friend for helping me consider my views on the entrepreneur’s conscience. I certainly value the importance of teaching kids enterprise, and I also strongly support the idea that enterprising kids should be taught to be charitable.

Our view is that children need to walk before they can run.

For us, it is okay for our kids to begin with a “selfish” goal, because that is often what motivates them at the time to take action and learn the entrepreneurial skills necessary to succeed.

A young child may first want to make money for a toy, a game, a bike, a computer or something else that excites them. That motivation gets them moving.

Then, once they begin learning the skill of earning money, we can help them think about where some of that money could go.

That is exactly the process we taught Chayse, who was four, and Kit, who was seven, when they reset their goals. Their enterprise journey became not only about making money, but also about learning to give.

A Simple Giving Plan for Kidpreneurs

One practical way to teach kids generosity is to create a simple money plan. This does not need to be complicated.

Children can divide their money into a few clear purposes:

  • Spend: money for something they want now.
  • Save: money for a bigger goal.
  • Grow: money for an asset, tool or future enterprise idea.
  • Give: money for charity, tithing, community support or someone in need.

This kind of plan teaches children that money has purpose. It is not just something to grab, spend or hoard.

It can be used to enjoy life, build future options and help others.

For Australian families, it can also be useful to talk to children about choosing causes carefully. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission provides a public charity register families can use when checking registered charities.

The More Values-Based Kidpreneurs We Create, the Better

The more values-based Kidpreneurs we create, the better our world can become.

As we revisit our own children’s entrepreneurial journeys on this blog, we will continue to share the lessons around their entrepreneur’s consciences and how we are teaching them to be charitable.

We do not want children to grow up thinking money is bad. We also do not want them to grow up thinking money is everything.

We want them to understand that enterprise can build confidence, creativity, responsibility and choice. We also want them to understand that with those opportunities comes the chance to contribute.

Key Takeaway: Kidpreneurs Can Earn and Give

Key takeaway: Kidpreneurs can learn to make money and still develop generosity. Enterprise does not have to replace charity. When taught well, it can help children become more capable, responsible and giving.

Where to Next?

What do you think? Should children be encouraged to make money for themselves, give some away, or both? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.