Well, let me ask you an easier question. Have you ever heard of Red Ribbon Week?

Most likely you have and the interesting thing is that Red Ribbon Week was initiated from the outcry and support over the 1985 brutal murder of Mr. Camarena who was a DEA Agent. Citizens in Mr. Camarena’s hometown wore red ribbons to honor him and in return the ribbons became a symbol for prevention and the reduction of illegal use of drugs in America. It was a statewide campaign in California and in 1988, Red Ribbon Week was recognized nationally by President and First Lady Reagan.

Now today, Red Ribbon Week continues to be recognized during the last week in October to commemorate the death of Mr. Camarena, celebrate those who are living drug free, and cheer for those who are trying to live their life right. It is also a time where schools all across our nation bring in youth speakers and individuals to encourage their student bodies to be responsible and make the right choices.

In today’s world, we are seeing the increase of young people becoming involved with drugs and alcohol and the message of responsibility is being lost. More teenagers are being pressured by the temptation to “fit in” and be cool, thus they are willing to try alcohol and drugs. This has to stop and we each have a role to play.

Support your friend who may be struggling with that desire to fit in.

Promote being a responsible teenager.

Encourage those who are struggling with the use of drugs and alcohol to get treated.

Let’s put an end to this madness.

Again, we all have a role to play and I’m excited that schools are considering hiring me as their school assembly speaker during this important week.

Thank you Mr. Camarena for the lives you have touched and will continue to touch!

As you are going back to school, some of you having already started, I wanted to share some advice with you to make this school year your BEST. This year, I challenge you to:

Be on your ‘A’ Game! Always do more. Always be more. Be more of a friend. Be more of a son or daughter. Do more as a student. Spend 30 additional minutes studying. It’ll help you in the long run. When you do more and be more, then you can have more. When you are more of a student, teachers are more willing to support you and help you. I often mention to students that it is easy to tell who has gone above and beyond in the classroom based on the letters of recommendation the teacher writes for them. Thus, this year, in every situation, go above and beyond. People want to be surrounded around Allstars.

Enter each day with a renewed attitude! It has been said that your “attitude determines your altitude” in life. If there is one thing that is consistent among many it would be their disgust for people with negative attitudes. Naturally, people do not like to be around those who are negative and have bad attitudes. If you want to be written off and forgotten about, then having a bad attitude will definitely help you. This year, do not dwell on what you do not have or weren’t able to accomplish. Just because you did not have an awesome day yesterday, it does not mean that you can’t have a great day today or tomorrow. Everything lies and rests on your attitude and how you see that around you.

Smile! A smile is contagious. When you smile, you lighten up the room and you can change the mood of others. Additionally, smiling draws people to you. This year, take the opportunity to smile more. Not only will it help you to remain more positive, but it may also brighten someone else’s day. You never know what someone is going through and your simple smile may dramatically change that feeling that they have of themselves.

Try something new! How about getting involved in a new organization, listening more before you speak, taking on a new role in one of your current organizations, connecting with another student who you wouldn’t normally connect with. This year, I want you to go above and beyond to stretch yourself and make the most of every opportunity. Do not be stuck inside the box this year. Do not be afraid to take risks. Go for what you want as the only person stopping you is you!

These are just a few tips to make this school year your BEST! I’m rooting for you!

Thinking about all the upcoming speaking engagements I have, I’m beyond excited for all the students I am going to meet and all the lives that will be touched. I am blessed each day and my only hope is that I can be a blessing to them. Fall 2011 is going to be epic and I can’t wait to share it with all of you.

So, this is Life as a Youth Speaker ‘N Laymon’s Terms…

Check out this short video of photos from some of my speaking engagements to see the fun I get to have.

The morning started off with me doing a keynote. Once that was completed, the students split up and attended different workshops—a team building activity workshop, a TRUE Colors workshop, and my student leadership workshop. In my workshop, one of the many lessons I tried to pass on to them was that as student leaders they must connect with others on the level above them, on the same level as them, and on the level below them.

Let me explain.

As student leaders, they must connect with and build relationships with their administrators, faculty, and staff (individuals above them) so it is easier to get their support for their initiatives. They must also connect with others who are on the same level as them meaning other student leaders in the county. Although these schools may be rival schools, the ability to share ideas that have or have not worked should not be lost. Finally, they have to connect with those below them and that is the students who do not have the title or position. Connecting with their student body is the main purpose of why they do what they do. It is essential to connect with this group because they should be the driving force of the activities that are done on campus.

That was just one of the lessons I tried to share with them.

After we finished up the retreat, we all boarded buses and headed to San Diego, CA and went on a boat. Another great opportunity for me to interact and personally connect with the students. I really enjoyed hanging out with all 350 student leaders.

It is a necessity that you keep the company of people who will build you up. Yesterday, I tweeted and wrote a facebook status that said, “You can never go up if you are surrounded by friends who always put you down. Some people need to be shown the EXIT sign!” I am amazed at the people who do nothing, but point out your faults. They claim to want the best for you, but are more interested in seeing you at your worst. They shoot down your dreams and goals and here’s the kicker… they are always trying to tell you what you should do.

My friend, it is time to rid yourself of that extra baggage that is stopping you from having a smooth journey. Until those types of people EXIT your life, you will never ENTER into what is truly for you. At the end of the day, you have complete control of who you allow in your life. With that said, get out the people who are not trying to help you in your life. Be linked to people who truly want the best for you and vice versa.

Your associations determine your destination!

We often get consumed by our lives and what we have going on that we forget to be there for others. My favorite book says, “Sow and you shall reap.” Today, I challenge you to help water the seed that has been planted in the life of another. You can do this by:

- Spending a day with them
- Helping them with a project or assignment
- Giving them 30 minutes of your undivided attention
- Sending a nice text message
- Sharing a smile
- Reminding them that they can do it
- and so much more…

Aim for the top. Bring along others with you. Put someone else’s life before yours for a few minutes. Encourage others. Sow into the life of another with your time.

That’s my challenge for you this week!

A title does not make you a leader.

A position does not make you a leader.

Your ability to influence, inspire, and induce others to make a difference is what makes you a leader!

In my experience, it is often the people without the big title or big position who receive the most respect from those around them. Most of the time, these individuals are working on behalf of the greater good and are willing to take on tasks to further the mission and objectives of the organization. To be a great leader, you must first understand how to be a good person! That is why I have often saw and see people who are willing to serve and do whatever they can to assist others become leaders before those who work hard at sucking up.

My friend, a title does not make you and you do not need one in order to make a difference.

Serve the organization.

Inspire others to believe in themselves.

Influence others to advance the mission.

What I have found even more alarming is that so many want the outcome, but do not want to put in the work. In my speeches, I often tell my audiences that “hard work will be talent when talent does not work hard.” How dare you want the outcome and not want to do the work to reach it? Just does not happen that way. Also, the notion that it is supposed to just automatically be easy is what I call foolish thinking. I have been guilty of that before… thinking that because someone else did it, I should be able to do it too. Remember what is for you is for you and what is for someone else is for someone else.

Everything you do will not be easy.

Everything you try will not come immediately.

You will not accomplish everything you put your mind to.

So, respecting the process is what you must do.

Do you.

Be your best.

Work hard.

Stick to the plan.

Enjoy the journey.

Before you know it, your destination will be in sight!

Respect the Process

Elevation can cause elimination

Elevation can cause intimidation

Elevation can cause procrastination

Elevation can lead to temptation

Elevation can lead to discrimination

Elevation can lead to exploitation

The list could go on…

Sometimes when people are elevated to new positions, they:

** Eliminate people from their life who were there for them before the title or position.
** Intimidate others because they walk around giving off the impression that you will respect them because of their title or position.
** Procrastinate and lose sense of what really needs to be done. They work on little things to appear like they are busy, but have actually accomplished nothing.
** Become tempted to do unethical things to further advance themselves and those around them.
** Discriminate against others who do not have the same thought process or belief system as them.
** Exploit others to make themselves look good.

As I reflect on the times in my life where I have experienced elevation and the observations I have made when others have been elevated, I am reminded that this is important lesson that student leaders need to know.

If one is not careful, elevation can create leadership assassination and ruin one’s reputation.

As they say, “Be kind to people on the way up because you may meet them again on your way down.”

Yes, even I cry sometimes. <don’t tell anyone>

As a speaker, I come across some fascinating stuedents. I try my best to remain in contact with as many of the students as possible. I like to take direct interest in their goals and their achievements. Yes, I can get up on stage and speak to them for 45 minutes, but I want my relationship to extend beyond that. I want to see students reach heights that they never imagined!

Many students do not have someone constantly encouraging them to live out their dreams. They do not have someone pushing them to the next level. They do not have that person who they can talk to, be real and authentic with, and just seek advice from.

Thus, I want to be that person for 5 – 7 lucky students. This is mentoring at another level. From August to December 2011, I am going to work with these students to serve as their personal cheerleader and mentor. We will work to make their dreams become reality. We will build the foundation and framework for them to be confident in themselves. This is going to be an awesome time and I am so excited.

This opportunity is available to all high school students and recent high school graduates. If you or someone you know is interested, please send us an email at mentored@laymonhicks.com and we will send you more details and the application. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 29, 2011.

Let the journey begin…