Doing it on their own...



Another election season has come and gone, and through it all, the economy was front and center. It got me to thinking about my son, and his future, and I wonder if politicians should start talking more about entrepreneurship rather than searching for work that isn't out there.

Can you teach self-reliance? Can you teach someone how to make their own money? I don't know! But after a quick search, I found a great article that may help point us in the right direction.


10 steps to teaching your kids to become entrepreneurs from inc.com. Check these out:



Goal setting is vital for future success

Set goals and follow through. Have your kids define and write out a goal, and then write down the steps it'll take to accomplish the goal.

Kids must learn how to recognize opportunities

Teach your kids to seek out opportunities and take action on them. Have them point out small problems, like not being able to reach items on a high shelf, and then brainstorm ideas that will resolve the problems.

Selling is involved in every part of life

Encourage your kids to start with small projects like selling their old toys, or starting a lemonade stand. Let them price their products and sell to customers. I love this one. How can you pass a lemonade stand without stopping! You can't!

Financial literacy is a must

Teach kids about money at an early age by earning money through chores (this one is controversial in many households), and helping you with your business. Teach them about paying themselves first and then giving back. Teach them how to invest, and how their money can be used to make more money in the future. Help them set up a bank account and learn about budgeting.

Inspiring creativity will build marketing skills

Teach them about marketing by having them pay attention to marketing marterials like billboards, banners, printed ads, and commercials on TV and radio. Ask them what catches their attention about the message and breakdown the headline and "call to action" message.

Schools are wrong about FAILURE

Failure is not bad, in fact, it helps you learn valuable lessons about business. Allowing your kids to fail will force them to create new ways to accomplish their goals and learn from their mistakes. When they fail, don't punish them, but instead talk about what factors lead to the failure and brainstorm ways to prevent it from happening again.

Effective communication improves all relationships

Social media and texting has made kids horrible at face to face communication. Teach them, by example, to be polite and respectful. Practice maintaining eye contact when speaking in person. When using the phone, teach them to speak slowly and clearly. When using email, do not let them abbreviate words and phrases.

The art of giving back creates happiness

A successful business gives back to a greater cause. Ask your kids to choose a charity or special cause to support with a portion of the income they generate.

Independence creates confidence

Next time your child asks for money to buy a toy, this is your opportunity to ask them to brainstorm ways to create money through entrepreneurship. This will inspire their creativity.

Get the advantage by becoming a leader now

Children are taught in school to follow the rules. Entrepreneurship teaches them to "think outside the box," create solutions and lead others. Your kids will learn to lead by joining outdoor sports, learning music, or putting together small business projects with their friends. You can also encourage them to propose a toast or give a small speech at family dinners.


(photo: flickr/jomartinphotography)

Gotta See This


The neighbors are taking this kind of hard...


...and then there's this...


Nothing controversial -- just 90 seconds of how a famous celebrity should treat his fans. With respect. Thank you, John Krasinski.


CelebBuzz



Lady Gaga topless on a balcony in Brazil tossing vegetables to fans. Just another day...




Actress Ashley Greene has admitted that she had no idea just how big the Twilight series would be back when she auditioned for the role of Alice Cullen. Look for the interview in Company magazine...it's probably waiting in your mailbox right now.




Lindsay Lohan is reportedly set to be charged with the crime of lying to police after her car accident in June according to tmz.com. Lohan reportedly told cops she was not driving her Porsche Cayenne when it slammed into the back of a lorry in Santa Monica, but multiple witnesses have alleged she was behind the wheel. Law enforcement sources told TMZ the case will be filed as a misdemeanor by the Santa Monica city attorney, which could spell trouble for Lohan as she is currently on probation for theft of a necklace.




This was the Daily Dave Challenge yesterday -- the car double parked in a handicap parking space in Miami belongs to ....drum roll... Kim Kardashian. Classy, Kim!


cuttin' cake

  • Jack Osbourne turns 27
  • Tara Reid is 37
  • the hilarious Parker Posey is 44
  • Courtney Thorne-Smith is 45 (remember her in Summer School? credit: youtube.com
Today is Cook Something Bold Day and Dunce Day.

primetime thursday

abc: new episodes of Last Resort, Grey's Anatomy, and Scandal
cbs: All new episodes of The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half men, Person of Interest, and Elementary
nbc: The Voice is live followed by new episodes of The Office and Parks and Recreation
fox: The X Factor is live followed by a new Glee
cw: The Vampire Diaries is new followed by a new Beauty and the Beast

a joke a day



A tired hunter out in the wilds stumbled into a camp. “Am I glad to see you,” he said. “I’ve been lost for three days.” “Don’t get too excited, friend,” the other hunter replied. “I’ve been lost for three weeks.”