Future Fit Facilitator Guide Future Fit
Facilitator Guide
PTA / PARENT WORKSHOP
Duration: 60 Minutes
Session Objectives
Understand the pressure of "outcomes" (grades, titles) versus "consequences" (daily lifestyle).
Learn language to support value-based career exploration (Flow, Pull Motivation).
Identify practical ways to engage children in meaningful conversations about their future.
Workshop Timeline
10 min
Warm-up: The "Happiness" Gap
Open with the question: "What do we hope for our children's futures?" Most will say "happiness" or "success." Contrast this with the specific advice we often give (get good grades, get a safe job).
"We want them to be happy, but we often guide them toward safety. How do we bridge that gap?"
18 min
Viewing: Career Fulfillment
Watch the TEDx talk by Ryan Clements. Encourage parents to note down one phrase that resonates with their own career journey.
youtube.com/watch?v=a7gFkUqIv1E
20 min
Discussion: The Stolen Car
Divide into small groups using the Discussion Cards .
What are the "outcomes" we push? What are the "consequences" we ignore?
How can we encourage "Pull Motivation" (internal drive) over "Push Motivation" (external rewards)?
12 min
Closure: Dinner Table Shifts
Parents brainstorm 3 questions to ask their children that aren't about grades or test scores.
"What made you lose track of time today?"
"What was a moment you felt really proud of yourself?"
"What problem did you enjoy solving today?"
Preparation Checklist
Print and cut Discussion Cards (1 set per table)
Print Parent Letters (1 per attendee)
Check AV / Projector for Video Slides
Pens and sticky notes for groups
Future Fit Slides Beyond the
Outcomes
Redefining Success for Our Children
A Workshop for Parents and PTA Members
What do we truly hope for our children?
"I just want them to be happy..."
Our Deepest Hope
Fulfillment
Happiness
Purpose
Our Typical Advice
Good Grades
Job Security
"Good" Income
The Fulfillment Gap
Ryan Clements | TEDxKelowna
Embedded media
Outcomes vs. Consequences
Outcomes
"What you achieve"
Degrees, Job Titles, Salaries, Status.
Consequences
"How you live"
Your day-to-day experience, stress levels, sense of meaning, and lifestyle.
The Reflection:
"Can you have a 'good job' on paper that is a 'bad job' for your soul?"
Success is not just about the outcome; it's about the fit.
The Test of Flow
"That optimal human state where the world melts away and time stands still."
When does your child lose track of time?
Do they come out of the activity feeling charged, or drained?
Does their work align with their unique values?
The Motivation Trap
Push Motivation
Driven by external rewards (grades, money) or avoiding pain (disappointment).
"If the reward disappears, the motivation evaporates."
Pull Motivation
Driven by an internal sense of purpose or interest. The work itself is the reward.
"Waking up early because you WANT to, not because you have to."
Shifting the Talk
3 dinner questions that aren't about grades:
"What made you lose track of time today?"
Identifies Flow
"What problem was actually fun to solve?"
Identifies Values
"When did you feel uniquely like 'you' today?"
Identifies Fit
Success is a Fit,
not a Finish Line.
"Whether or not you think your work is meaningful."
Thank you for being here.
Values First Discussion Cards Values First Discussion Cards
Print and cut these cards for small group discussions. Each card features a key concept from the "Future Fit" workshop.
The Stolen Car
"That car doesn't define me. I'm not going to spend 30 years trading time for money to buy things that can evaporate instantly."
Talk About It:
How often do we focus on the "car" (status/stuff) when discussing future careers with our kids? What would it look like to focus on the "fulfillment"?
Outcomes vs. Consequences
"Outcomes are the degrees and titles. Consequences are the day-to-day lifestyle and alignment with your values."
Talk About It:
Think of a "high-status" job. What are the day-to-day consequences (hours, stress, environment) that a student might overlook?
The Flow Test
"Flow is that state where time stands still. When we live our values, flow comes easily and often."
Talk About It:
When was the last time you saw your child completely "lost" in an activity? What values (competition, creativity, logic) were they using?
Pull Motivation
"Pull motivation doesn't need an external reward. You wake up early because you WANT to do the work."
Talk About It:
Most schoolwork relies on "Push" (grades). How can we help children find the "Pull" in their hobbies or interests?
Beyond "Do What You Love"
"That advice is hard to implement if nobody will pay you for your hobbies. Instead, look at what makes you come alive."
Talk About It:
If your child loves gaming, don't just look at "Pro Gamer." What values are there? Strategy? Community? Speed? How else can they use those?
Success is "Fit"
"I didn't just want money or success. I wanted a fit where I could live what I actually valued."
Talk About It:
How can we redefine "success" in our household conversations? What "fit" are we looking for for our children?
Future Fit Workshop | Discussion Card Set
Career Fulfillment Parent Letter Future Fit Initiative
Redefining Career Success for Students
PTA Workshop Series
Session #1 Summary
Beyond the Grades: A New Conversation
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Thank you for joining our recent workshop on career fulfillment. As we discussed, our children are under immense pressure to achieve specific outcomes —grades, degrees, and job titles. While these are important, they often come at the expense of understanding the consequences : the day-to-day lifestyle and personal fulfillment of those paths.
Key Takeaways
1. Outcomes vs. Consequences
A "good job" on paper can be a "bad job" for the soul. We must help our children look beyond the title to the daily reality.
2. The Test of Flow
Fulfillment happens in "flow states"—when we are so engaged that time disappears. What activities trigger this for your child?
3. Pull Motivation
Encourage "Pull" (internal interest) over "Push" (external rewards like fear or money). Motivation is effortless when we feel pulled toward our values.
The Dinner Table Shift
Try swapping "How was your test?" with one of these "Future Fit" questions this week:
"What made you lose track of time today?"
"What problem was actually fun to solve?"
"When did you feel uniquely like 'you' today?"
Watch the Full Talk
"What they don't teach you about career fulfillment in school" by Ryan Clements
bit.ly/fulfillment-talk
My Reflections / Observations
Empowering our students to find meaningful work and lasting fulfillment.
