And now, my young apprenti (I’ve decided to make “apprenti” the plural form of “apprentice” instead of “apprentices” because, well, I think it sounds cooler), let’s hear YOUR advice for Jess and JD. What are some of the lessons you’ve learned about planning for your future and/or telling the truth even when it hurts?

Until next time,

// josh

P.S. Jaimie, thanks for sharing your toothless childhood smile with me. I found it both heartwarming and humorous. The rest of you…let’s see what you’ve got. Send your embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyhosh.com.

If you have words of hope to share with Alysa, insight to offer Patrick, or a narcoleptic Driver’s Ed teacher, the world needs to hear about it. Leave a comment below, budding advice slingers! If you have questions, issues, or troubling thoughts and you’re looking for advice yourself, hit me up—that’s what I’m here for.

Until next time,

// josh

P.S. Stephanie, looking sharp; you make an adorable dalmatian puppy. The rest of you, follow her lead and send in your embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyjosh.com. Dog costumes, chicken suits, homemade superhero get-ups and other unflattering apparel are all welcome in my frame.

The party’s here every week—same time, same place, same organic goodness. Flag me down at HeyJosh.com if you have a question of you own, or give me a call at 877-HEY-JOSH. In the meantime, try your hand at slinging advice to Brandon and Gwen. What have you done to try to figure out what you want? How have you been there for a friend? Your insights are valuable…but only if you share them. Go for it. This party’s for everyone.

// josh

P.S. Amy, your childhood photo is hilarious; your glasses redefine embarrassing. Love it. Thanks for chillin’ in my frame this week. The rest of you, stop guarding your embarrassing childhood photos from the eyes of the world like your reputation depends on it, let go of your pride, and send the pics to me at josh@heyjosh.com.

I really need some help in the career area. Well anyway, what’s up is I’ve been wanting to become a physio for several years, but when I was 17 my dad didn’t let me do YR 12 because he thought that business was for me, but I never wanted to be chained to a boring desk. That would never be purposeful for me. Well, dad does not live in the household anymore so it’s just me and my mum.

This year I decided to make my dream my goal and make it become reality so I’ve been doing YR 12 part time. Anyway because I have to look for a full time job or centerlink will not pay me, I’m stuck because they say I must get a full time job and I have to quit my course which means quitting my dream. I don’t know what to do and they don’t accept part time work either. I don’t want to sound like I’m whining but if I study full time I can’t pay my bills.

What should I do? I’m also wondering, could sponsorship be an option and how would I get it. I don’t want to give up on my dreams and reality is I have 10 weeks till my exams and then I will work as many hours as they demand my work. Really need HELP, don’t know how I’m gonna solve this problem and finish my course.

–Erina

—

Yo Erina,

Thanks for your email.

I’m proud of you for making your dream your goal. I’m guessing you’ve already seen my short film about CAREER?  If not, stop everything and watch this beast.

[NOTE: this lovely bit o' wisdom won't be hanging out online for free forever so, seriously, watch it good and watch it now. Take meticulous notes, practice your meditation techniques, get feedback from your goat about it...whatever it takes to make it to stick.]

I’m not familiar with centerlink, but I would say do whatever it takes to finish that so you can keep pursuing your goals.

Sometimes it’s about doing what you HAVE to do so you get to do what you WANT to do.

Many times in life while pursuing your goal, you will have to make painful, not fun, pain-in-the-butt, short-term sacrifices. Maybe, in your case, the answer is working hard at a full time job while you study on the side. Crazy?

Consider…

Is it worth a 6 month sacrifice, for a 25 year job you love????

Right??

Indeed. So do that.

I’m sure your parents love you, but remember your future / your career is YOURS.  No one else’s.

// josh

Hey You, have you ever faced a situation like this? What’s your advice?

// josh

—

Hey Josh,

I’m 14 years old and I absolutely LOVE acting. Acting is my favorite thing to do. The problem is: my parents don’t support me in the slightest. In fact, they often try to talk me out of acting, saying how awful and terrible it is. 

The frustrating thing is that my little brother is allowed to act all he wants and my parents support him 100%. They let him audition in the city and even got him an agent, but they won’t even consider it with me. The reason they support him is because he’s really good at acting. Me? I’m not bad. I’m only ok though.

It’s bad enough that my parents let my brother act and give him support, but they also compare us in public to anyone that will listen…to other actors, to friends, to waiters. They talk about how he was born to act and he’s so amazing and that “it’s just not the same with me” and that I’m only ok at acting. The way they talk about him, you’d think he was the next Gene Kelly.

I tried talking to them about this several times in a very polite and mature fashion. I’ve tried different things including writing them a letter and sitting down with them twice to talk about it. But this seems to be a touchy subject because every time I bring it up, they start yelling and screaming at me, making me feel awful. 

I don’t know what to do anymore. They just won’t listen, they don’t understand. What do you do about something like this when your parents are beyond reason??

Rose

Good Evening.

I’ve been thinking.  Life can be kinda like a factory, can’t it?  We all go to pretty similar schools where they teach everyone the same things so that we’ll turn out just like everyone else, right?  It’s like a FACTORY!  Think about it, to congratulate you on Graduation day they make everyone dress the same in those dumb cap and gowns, like a bunch of products coming off of a conveyor belt, then they stamp you with a diploma as proof of which conveyor belt you came off of!  FACTORY!  Then you go to college (another conveyor belt).  Whether or not this is the best decision for your life, everyone convinces you this is what comes after high school so you go.  FACTORY!  Then you get a job.  There is a good chance that this probably isn’t the job you always wanted and it doesn’t pay you nearly enough, but you keep going day after day because it’s your only option and you’ve got to pay the bills.  FACTORY!

Then one day, many years from now, you wake up one day and ask yourself “What have I been doing with my life?  Where has all of my time gone?  What do I have to show for myself?  How did I let my life turn into this Factory?”

When that day comes, you will just have experienced a “mid-life crisis”.  Your parents have probably had one or two of these.  Ask them about it sometime.

I’m working on a sweet DVD and booklet designed to make you “Mid-Life Crisis Proof” (more details to come). I will tell you how to get rid of this Factory mentality and live the life you are supposed to live, not the life that gets handed to you on the conveyor belt! Why?  Because you are a unique individual and the ONLY person who can know exactly what is best for you.

You are not a FACTORY.

- Josh

“Hey Josh, What am I supposed to be when I grow up?”

This has to be one of the questions I get asked the most. And it should be! Your answer to this question will make you either thrilled to wake up each morning or miserable for the rest of your life. So, what should you do with your life? This short film, my dear sweet young one, is my epic response.

Currently, you can only watch the trailer online, but this film will be part of an epic series of short films, starting in 2009. This series tackles issues you deal with on a regular basis such as school, future, dating, parents, friends, identity, etc…

Want to dive in early? Here’s a sneak peek at the heart of Factory. Go ahead, take a bite out of this knowledge biscuit and ponder the possibilities. Think your friends need to hear this too? Be a hero; pass it along.