Neva Lee Recla and Tonya Dawn Recla talk Personal Development for Kids

Neva Lee Recla and Tonya Dawn Recla talk Personal Development for Kids

Executive Director, Tonya Dawn Recla, and Super Power Kids Founder, Neva Lee Recla, discuss how to provide kids personal development opportunities. They discuss Neva’s experiences at Speak to Impact, a Red Elephant Inc. event, and debunk the idea that personal development is for adults only. Listen in as they share ways kids can start now to develop themselves and how parents can support them.

Hello, this is Tonya Dawn Recla, your Super Power Expert and…?

Neva Lee Recla! Your super power kid!

So in today’s episode, we’re gonna be talking about personal development for kids. So, these are some words that we don’t often hear together, right?

Nope

We talk about kids. So, why don’t you come this way a little bit? You’re off the frame there. Alight, there we go. Oh, I like that even better. So why? Why don’t we hear about that for kids do you think? Well, first of all let’s talk abut. What’s personal development?

It’s like getting aware of what you can do.

Okay, that’s one way to look at it. So developing the person in its definition, right? So, for you what’s your experience with that because we’re talking about kids today. So what are some of the things that you’ve done to kind of develop yourself, if you will?

Well one, kids rule the world, right? Now [giggles]

How is that [laughs] what does that mean?

We just rule the world.

Oh, kids rule the world. Who runs the world?

We do!

Kids. Who runs the world?

Kids rule the world

Kids rule the world.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Kids!

Okay there we go. Alright, let’s keep going. So what are the ways that you developed yourself?

I really stepped into a new place. Last night, I was in a great generosity place and it was a really heartfelt place.

Well, what have you done to develop yourself? [laughs] She’s going to be a politician, folks where she answers a question without answering a question. Let’s try again. So what are some of the things that you’ve done to kind of grow yourself? To get to know yourself better? To develop skill sets, right? What are some of those things?

Running five businesses.

Okay, so that was one thing you did. You learned a lot about yourself in that process. What else?

Really getting okay with criticism.

Getting okay with criticism. That helps you who you are, right? So, couple other things like one of the most challenging things as a parent operating with a child in entrepreneurship is helping them understand that there’s concepts and mission and these big things. The camera is bumping every time that happens. They are conceptually getting like what are you here to do? Who you are and that type of stuff and then there’s tactics, right? Like this is how you do it type of things. And I think through the schooling environments, you know, kids get like the tactics piece. And then maybe later on in life if they become entrepreneurs or settle on a career, even maybe settle in college looking at a major, they start thinking, “Well, what is it that I want to do?” You and I talk a lot about how people say, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” Right?

Yeah, that question gets old.

Yeah it gets old. So because I don’t even know what I want to do when I grow up.

No offense to adults that have said that to me. Just saying, that question gets really old. I don’t know if kids like that question.

No? You don’t think so?

I don’t know

Well, do you?

I like focusing on what I’m doing now.

I like focusing on what I'm doing now

I like focusing on what I’m doing now.
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Right now in this moment? That makes sense. So, I know that as an entrepreneur, we had to get really good on okay what’s the mission? What are we doing here? So we helped you kind of talked about some of that and that’s where you started, “Well, I’m a kid entrepreneur. I’m a kid-preneur. I want to inspire other kids to do that.” And here lately it’s been like great, how are you going to do that? Right? And the answer is like well, you’re going to inspire 1 million kids to run businesses, okay? How are you going to do that? You know?

By writing my book.

By writing your book. Right but how are you going to go about that? Right? And so it’s like breaking it down to what are the actual steps?

So people keep on asking why? Why? And why? And why?

Well, you know why? Because as adults, I’ve been going into business, a lot of times what we see is they’re busy doing the steps but they’re not focusing on the why. Well, you’re kind of going backwards. Now you get the why? Like you’re here to change the world, right? And some of that came about. Where did we go where a lot of that came together?

Red Elephant Event!

Yeah, it was a Red Elephant Event. What was the event called?

Have you noticed? Have you noticed?

Red. Oh, that’s where you’re wearing that. Color coding. For those of you listening instead of those watching. What are you wearing?

I’m wearing a red bow and Minnie Mouse ears just because it’s kids. And a really cool Descendant shirt.

Cool. Okay. So what was the event called.

Speak to Impact.

Perfect! So a lot of times what happens is like I was saying is a lot of entrepreneurs don’t know they’re why’s? So you hear a lot of speakers and teachers and motivational folks talking about know your why? Right? In fact, when we listen to Liz Benny recently in Meltdown the Desert, she talked about know your why and be rock solid in your why, right?

Kapow!

Kapow! Alright, so we went to Speak to Impact and go ahead.

So put them at the camera so people can see them.

So, this one is Afrin.

So, describe because there’s a lot of people who are listening, not watching.

She’s a red elephant stuffed animal. She’s pretty big and I named her Afrin after Afrin because that is the name of the one who made the event as well as Gary and Iman so thank you guys so much for running that event. It’s great.

Yeah, it was a lot of fun. So, it’s Afrin Khan and Iman Khan and then Gary Montalvo, right? Those were the folks who were 

Iman Khan Neva Lee Recla Afrin Khan

Iman Khan, Neva Lee Recla, and Afrin Khan

leading it. And then who is this little one?

That little one is her daughter Ollie.

Ollie! Very cool.

And you can tell that they’re related because you can not push their tails down.

I just did.

Oh no.

Oh, they don’t stay down.

Yeah they don’t.

Got it. Okay. Alright so we went to the event and it was great but it was an actual it was different then a lot of the events we’ve been through because it was a workshop right?

I worked!

Got lots of notes. We’re opening the big three ring binder. She’s going to talk about, which one? So it was a whole process that they walk folks through on how to figure out on what you’re here to do. So, the why. A lot of it was in the why but also the tactics., right? How do you do it? And so we talked a lot about what are the components that go in to impacting. Is that true?

That’s call speak to impact.

So it’s aptly named, is that what you’re saying?

Yes!

So what

I’m just trying to find a surprise

A surprise?

They can’t see it.

Oh. We’re looking for surprise. A drawing.

You guys guess what it is.

Okay.

Sorry, there’s a ton of pages.

There are a ton of pages. So, okay so let me give you inside. These microphones here pick up all the noise. So all the page turning and all the folks listening and not watching

Sorry headphone users!

Probably not enjoyable. Can we maybe find the picture here in minute and talk a little bit about some of the points you came up with?

Sure!

Okay so part of the process was to figure out how you’re going to start people. Like you’re talk, you know? And this is a lot of what entrepreneurs do. So, let’s take a step back for one second before you get into that. Because I want to really focus on the fact that we’re talking today about personal development for kids. Right? And so I really want to drive home the point that a lot of people don’t have these conversations with kids.

With their kids.

Right? Because it’s just like a foreign concept and most personal development material stuff isn’t really aimed at kids. If it is, it’s like developmental, you know, how you go through school or what you learn and that type of stuff.

Like normally people don’t think kids would get into personal developments.

Right. SO let’s take pause. Because we’re going to take a break and so we’ve been talking here about personal development for kids and will be back right after the break.

Personal development events attended by Neva Lee Recla

Personal development events attended by Neva Lee Recla

Okay we’re back after the break and so if you’re just joining us, we are talking about personal development for kids and specifically and experience Neva had at a Red Elephant Event called Speak to Impact. So talk to us a little bit. Well, first of all I want to brag a little bit about you because what happened her was she was working on her book project about being a young entrepreneur.

I still am.

Which you still are but I think that was missing in it she wasn’t seeing the connection between writing the book and the impact, right? She knew it was important but like being able to really verbalize that. And it wasn’t until one of the exercises where they said, you know, “What pisses you off about the world,” right? Because really it’s an event aimed at adults but that’s what they asked you. We don’t need to find the page because it makes a lot of noise, like I said. But as soon as you got in to that, you kind of went off, right?

I exploded!

She exploded! So what pisses you off about the world?

KKK!

Okay that was one.

People murdering and crimes!

Okay what else?

People are selfish!

Selfish people. Okay, what else?

They don’t take responsibility for their bad actions! Yes, I’m doing this very dramatically.

You are and you’re kind of shaking the camera again.

Sorry.

But I think we got the drama, right? I think we got it. So, that’s really what came out right? Not to minimalize that experience. Well, and I’ll just ask you, do you really feel that way?

Yes.

Okay.

I absolutely hate those things.

Okay so those were the things that we were able to kind of take a look at and go, okay so ultimately  if you want to change the world and live ina world where people are taking responsibility and stuff like that. How do we go about doing that? And we were kind of able to trace it back to if we inspire children to run businesses then they’re be different leaders.

Do you guys need to look at the answers to getting rid of hate?

What?

Love.

I think you’re right. Well, you just came to that conclusion today. What are you here to do? Who are you? Remember that question? Who are you?

I’m here to love. That’s who I am. I’m love.

Yeah so that’s pretty powerful, right?

So, I’m part of the love group probably.

Yeah, that works.

They made a great book.

Alright so, let’s talk a little bit about. So, she came up with the hook, which I thought was really fascinating. So, you can go ahead and say the hook. Let’s just do the hook and that see where that goes.

My hook is: You know what scares kids? When their parents don’t share what’s going on in the world. You’ll pretend that we don’t know but we know.

Awesome.

I really want to share the next part,

Okay, go ahead. What’s the next part.

Alright. The next part is my credibility. My name is Niva Lee Recla and I’m 7 years old. And I’ve been running businesses for five years.

Yup!

Now, this one is. Alright, this one is my stand. Ready? I’m on a mission to change the world. But I’m encouraging 1 million kids to do business.

Perfect.

Alright, now this one I want you guys to do at home.

Okay but let’s not shake the camera still.

Alright so

She’s very emphatic.

Put this in the comments either I do, raise my hand or put a little hand. Ready?

I think we should do a #IStandwithNeva.

Yup! Write that!

You heard it here first. #IStandwithNeva.

#IStandwithNevaAfrinandOllie

Okay that’s long. Let’s just say #IStandwithNeva and we’ll just know Afrin and Ollie are included.

Okay.

Okay cool.

Alright! Ready, set, go! If you believe kid-preneurs can change the world, raise your hand!

Okay, that was really high. I don’t know that anybody understood what you said.

If you believe that kid-preneurs

Kid-preneurs.

Kid-preneurs can change the world, raise your trunk.

And there you have it.

Peace out!

So, that’s what she did. Like three days and it took a while to get out there but the point is, is that if you give them a chance, kids have some pretty strong feelings, right? About certain things and opinions and things that they want. And I think that if you ask a lot of them, they’ll tell you what kind of world they want to live in. The key is that most of us shut down kids and say, “Well, that’s a pipe dream” or “It’s your imagination” or something like that. But I think you’re on to something.

And trust me, it’s kids probably who want to do business, you aren’t being the best of parents not believing in them.

I don’t know that we should judge parents and say that. We don’t know that, do we?

Edit that part out.

No, let’s not edit it. Let’s talk about that. So, what can you say and how can you say that differently?

Maybe that kids want to do business and they believe that they can.

So, what about parents whose kids haven’t even thought about business?

Then read my book when it comes out.

Share those books

Share those books.
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

So, the point of the story is that kids are more than capable for personal development. Share those books. If you’re into that kind of stuff, share that with them. We’ve been talking with Neva about this kind of stuff since the very beginning. Taking accountability, we talk about ego, we talk about managing them, we talk about if you’re coming from your mind versus your heart.

We talk about ego babies.

Ego babies. Yes because they multiply like gremlins when you add water. It’s not beyond them. You know, most of the time we spend time pre-qualifying people, especially children and thinking that they can’t understand but they’re more than capable. And over time they’ll understand more and more. They’re very adaptable. So, we’ve talking about personal development for kids. Do you have any closing remarks on that?

Oh my gosh!

Do you have closing remarks before oh my gosh?

[inaudible 00:14:47]

Do you have closing remarks before we do that?

No.

No? You’re good? You feel complete? Okay.

Alright, it’s funny face time. Grab her. Wait, no. Be careful because her trunk. Alright. It’s funny face time!

Alright, well thank you all for joining us. We’ve been talking about personal development for kids on the Super Power Podcast and as always, you know if you’re interested in more about this, I like the fact you said read my book when it comes back but you still have a few slots for sponsors.

So

So if you have a brand

Go to my website nevaleerecla.com to find out more.

Absolutely. If you have a brand that you think is something that would want to be associated with supporting entrepreneurs, that would be a really good opportunity.

That would mean a lot. So, I’ll spell it for you because my name can be hard to spell. N-E-V-A L-E-E R-E-C-L-A.com

Perfect and to all of you out there as always we appreciate your loyalty and until next time, go out and uncover your super powers and…

We can change the world! Bye.

Bye everyone!