Daniel Blanchard’s Granddaddy’s Secrets Teen Leadership Blog Interview with Youth Workshop Expert and Presenter, Melissa Flynn!
Melissa Flynn, has designed a Youth Goal Setting Workshop that helps children ages 7-12 to not only see the “here and now” but to also see and think about tomorrow. In this 90-minute workshop, Melissa teaches our youth the importance of community, self-esteem, financial health, education, healthy-living, personal safety, the environment, and healthy friendships. Melissa also has her own company called “Moving and Other Matters” (MAOM) where she spends all her time helping others. Finally, Melissa is a professional speaker and board member of the Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association (CAPA).
- Did you always know that you wanted to serve others and help today’s youth?
I have always enjoyed reading, writing, and studying science. That’s how I became a scientist and a writer. I never imagined that I would be out working with the public. But as we all know “life does not always work out the way that we plan it.”
* How did you get started in your career path?
After sitting home for a few years with a work injury, I started doing some freelance journalism. The next thing that I knew, people reached out to inquire about me speaking to their groups and organizations. After speaking in public for a handful of times, I felt compelled to consider this as a new career path. I did not just want to stand in front of folks and run my mouth; I also wanted my talks to include interactive ways to help people with their obstacles.
- How did you handle the bumps in the road? Were there any moments when you wondered if all your hard work was worth it?
I have handled the bumps as I always have. I am a single-mother. That almost speaks for itself. Yet, I will explain.
I have been on my own for years. I have worked two or three jobs at a time. I have worked full-time while going to school full-time. I did both of these while being a full-time parent and friend. Life was hard at times.
As a single mother you cannot walk away and give up. I learned quickly that you have to get up, shake it off, and make life work. It’s a matter of being a proactive character in the screenplay of your life.
I live by these words.
- What do you contribute your success to?
I credit my mother, my great-aunt, and my great grandmother for any and all successes in my life. They taught me that “it takes a community to raise a child.” They were three strong women who knew what they wanted from their lives.
I was taught. I was loved. And I was given many opportunities to learn, explore, and experience.
I was blessed.
- What do teens need today more than anything else?
All children need the three things that I was given in my youth—opportunities to learn, opportunities to explore, and opportunities to experience.
Teens need to abandon their feelings of self-entitlement, and acquire a sense of responsibility.
Someone once said something at a forum that I cannot seem to get out of my head.
“Communities work better when they work together.”
And this quote does not just apply to mature adults.
- What would you tell a teen who was struggling?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Regardless of movies and television, people cannot read minds. So if you are distressed, please share with people around you—family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, church officials, etc.
Loneliness and aloneness will send you in the wrong direction.
Sit down. Think. Have a cup of tea or water. Write your thoughts down. Make a list of goals. Make a list of things that you feel are in the way of you accomplishing those goals. Then reach out to others and ask them for suggestions on realistic steps that you can take to accomplish those goals.
“Make a list of goals and never give up.” MF
- What else do you want to tell us about what you do and what you want to eventually be doing?
As I stated earlier, I have been blessed. I am doing all the things that I want to be doing—speaking, teaching, writing, editing, publishing, consulting, coaching, researching, organizing, and currently going back to school.
I use my time to help others, as well as myself, in areas such as: moving, resume writing, speaking, memoir writing, query writing, manuscript development & writing, agent search, publishing, publicity, goal setting, organization & productivity, and moving on in general.
- Do you have any products or services that people should know about?
As I listed above, my organization offers many services. And for anything not listed above, we welcome all questions. If we can’t personally help you, we will refer you to someone who can.
- What else should I have asked you?
Maybe you could have asked me about my favorite color, my favorite food, and my favorite television show. But since we are discussing teens and goals, we will save those answers for another blog.
- How can people get in touch with you if they have additional questions?
If people have questions, please feel free to call me, email me, fax me, or send me a message on Facebook. And after you message me, feel free to read my blog.
Phone: 203-707-3918
Email: movingontoinspire@gmail.com
Fax: 203-303-7225
FB: Facebook.com/Gettingmymoveon
My blog: www.howigotmymoveon.com
Thanks for your time Melissa and keep up the good work! Our youth needs more people like you!
Daniel Blanchard
Author and Speaker of the Granddaddy’s Secrets teen leadership book series.
* PURCHASE “THE STORM” http://tinyurl.com/glxzjaf