Dragonsbrat Dawson Middle School got the pep talk of all pep talks on Wednesdaybrafternoon. Marc Mero, former WWE wrestlingbrchampion and author of “How to be the Happiest Person on the Planet,” addressedbra packed gymnasium of seventh and eighth graders on the power of positivebrchoices.
“We all have an impact onbreach other,” Mero said. “My question to you is: How are you being treated, andbrhow are you treating other students?”
Mero talked about comingbrfrom a broken home and growing up in a drug- and gang-infested neighborhood. Hebralways dreamed of a better life, so at age 10, Mero started writing down hisbrgoals.
“I challenge you to writebryour dreams and goals into existence,” he said. “Write it and put somewhere youbrwill see it. The more you see your goals, the more likely you are to takebraction on them.”
Mero shared a personalbrexample of his goal to write a book. He grabbed a Post-it note and wrote downbrhis goal and deadline: Book 2010. “Every time I read it, I saw my dream,” Merobrsaid. “I wouldn't be a published author today without writing down my goals.”
The downside to notbrpursuing your goals? “You'll either build your own dreams,” Mero said, “or workbrfor someone to build theirs.”
Mero reminded studentsbrthat we all become like those we surround ourselves with. Our friends are likebrelevators—they can bring us up or down, he said.
And he encouragedbrstudents to not fall into the trap of thinking money is the key to success. “Happinessbris the key to success,” he said. “It's not so much about your circumstance orbrsituation; it's how you respond to it.”
Mero is founder of thebrnonprofit Champion of Choices, Inc. He empowers people of all ages and walks ofbrlife to make positive choices that lead to a happier life.