Comments on: Ask The Readers: If There Was A Personal Development Course In Schools What Topics Would It Cover?

By: Poojan Wagh

Poojan Wagh — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 02:29:42 +0000

My hands down vote would be a course based on the book Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman. This book basically insures a person against a lot of psychological pitfalls, and helps to find ones true strengths to maximize happiness.

By: Angela Esnouf

Angela Esnouf — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:16:50 +0000

1. Self-evaluation (the lost art of knowing yourself).
2. Budgeting (quite different to wise spending).
3. Relating (how to get along with everybody).
4. How to be happy (without external stimuli).
5. How to relax (the art of stillness).

By: Lori Hoeck

Lori Hoeck — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:13:14 +0000

The biggest thing you can teach, which will profoundly change everything, is how to overcome insecurity. Self-confidence allows you to develop any other aspect of life, whether it be finances or organizational skills, with ease and fun.

By: Alex Fayle

Alex Fayle — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:16:34 +0000

I think there should be a variety of life-courses. One being finances and another being personal development which would include awareness of others (you’re not the only one in the world contrary to what you think), awareness of self (the ability to self-examine effectively) and learning to look past the surface and discern the message behind the message (getting outside of Plato’s Cave).

By: Summy

Summy — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:32:34 +0000

1. Finances (get them to save).
2. Time management (have an agenda).
3. Setting goals (know where you’re going).
4. Organization (have and empty inboxes)

By: James

James — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:14:45 +0000

Finances seems to be a strong suggestion here. Makes sense. I haven’t a clue on all the different types of investments and savings are out there. Teaching people to be smart with money and not follow this whole retail therapy attitude would be very effective.

By: Steph Auteri

Steph Auteri — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:04:25 +0000

I asked the same question last month! My query was inspired by a post on home economics. More than anything else, I think I would have benefited from learning good business and financial practices. I was a financial wreck for so long, and am just now cleaning up the mess my irresponsibility made.

By: Shanel Yang

Shanel Yang — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:31:12 +0000

Love the idea! If I were to teach it, I’d include:

1. How money works.
2. How anyone can get rich and stay rich and why poor people usually stay poor.
3. How to make the right friends.
4. How to achieve any goal.
5. How to figure out what you want out of life.

These are basically the topics I wish I had been taught when I was growing up by anyone – parents, teachers or friends – but there is precious little useful information accessible to our youth out there even today. That is why I started my blog.