Consider the BIG IDEAS that Have the Power to Improve Lives

“Great minds discuss ideas.

Average minds discuss events.

Small minds discuss people.”

We have been thinking about this quote, which some have attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, a lot lately.

One of the challenges we often face as we travel the nation and beyond, working with young people and the adults who serve them, is elevating discussions to the point that we are talking about ideas instead of just about the challenges presented by individual people or events.

Often, we find that when we try to talk about big ideas – like the idea of empowering young people to reach their full potential – we are met with stories of why this supposedly can’t happen. People want to focus on individual people who cause problems or are unsupportive. Or they want to go over the details of some event or another that has caused them frustration or created a sense of despair.

We understand that working to be change agents for young people is difficult work. And there are many events and people that make our lives far more difficult than is necessary.

But we also know that when we stay focused on big ideas, including how to empower young people or to inspire the adults who serve them, we see success.

So now, as the new school year is getting started many places, we challenge you to consider Mrs. Roosevelt’s words. Move beyond talk of people. And events.  And consider the big ideas that have the power to improve lives.