| "I can't see the purpose in learning about subjects | | | | in your tool box, and most likely you would not be |
| that are not interesting to me that I will never | | | | able to take advantage of opportunities that |
| use in real life," my son mumbled while driving to | | | | require these skills. The tools that are missing |
| school. I told my son to imagine that he had a | | | | from your box are not a disadvantage to you |
| tool box with only one tool-- a hammer. If | | | | unless you want to succeed in a particular area |
| something only required a hammer to be fixed, | | | | and you have not acquired the tools necessary to |
| created or designed, he would be effective. But | | | | create or take advantage of these opportunities. |
| he would miss a plethora of opportunities if | | | | Tools are the building blocks of goals; they create |
| something required a screw driver, wrench or drill | | | | opportunities and fix broken dreams. If your |
| because he wouldn't have the resources or tools | | | | dream is to be an elementary teacher, your tool |
| needed to take advantage of those opportunities. | | | | box must include a bachelor's degree, certification, |
| I explained to my son that every time he learns | | | | and excellent interpersonal communication skills |
| something new he is placing a tool in his tool box; | | | | with children. If you know how to perform CPR |
| and the more tools that he acquires the more | | | | or speak a second language-these are also tools |
| things and opportunities that he will be able to | | | | that you may apply to a variety of jobs? |
| create with his life. | | | | If people constantly ask you to bake cakes for |
| Have you ever read a book that changed your | | | | their social events-baking is a tool. Some tools can |
| life? Have you ever learned a skill that you were | | | | have multiple uses. You can teach baking at a local |
| able to utilize later to your advantage? Do you | | | | college, sell pies to local bakeries or write a cook |
| have a hobby or skill that you take for granted? | | | | book. A single tool can have multiple functions by |
| Are you good at tutoring, baby-sitting, typing or | | | | fixing, creating or designing many useful things to |
| organizing files? These are all tools that you can | | | | accommodate other tools and your unique |
| use to create prosperity in your life. | | | | personality. |
| A tool is defined as a skill, knowledge, people, | | | | What are your goals? |
| certificates, degrees, licenses and talents that are | | | | ______ |
| resources that you have accumulated in your life | | | | ______ |
| that allow you to create the things that you want | | | | ______ |
| to achieve in your life. | | | | What tools do you need to accomplish your |
| Your tool box is a reflection of who you are. The | | | | goals? |
| tools that are currently in your box display your | | | | _________________ |
| interests, talents, and abilities. These tools indicate | | | | _________________ |
| to yourself and others where you have been and | | | | _________________ |
| where you are currently capable of going because | | | | What tools can you use to help you acquire other |
| you have the resources necessary to create and | | | | tools that you need? |
| take advantage of opportunities that need what | | | | What tools are you currently using that you can |
| you have to offer. | | | | use in multiple ways? |
| Your tool box is also a reflection of who you are | | | | What tools do you have that you can combine to |
| not. For example, if you do not have a law | | | | create something new? |
| degree, if you can't braid hair or if you are not an | | | | Make a list of the tools that are currently in your |
| excellent cook these tools would not be available | | | | tool box in each of the following areas. |