Responses Matter – How Top 20 Training Can Help Students Realize Their Potential

Imagine back to when you were young and your dad asked you for help as he fixed something in the garage. Your task — hold the flashlight.

Invariably, as kids are wont to do, your mind wandered or your small hands shook, and the light started to sink as your dad tinkered. Now what happened next shaped a big part of who you are today.

Did he say: "Thanks for holding the light, it's a big help. I need you to carefully shine it on my fingers while I finish."

Or, did he snap: "Ugh, just put the light down and go away. I don't know why I asked you for help, you can't do anything right."

As a result, perhaps you felt you could rise to meet the challenge, unafraid to make mistakes. Or perhaps you shrunk back and decided to give up. But whether this scenario played out for you as a child, a student, an athlete, or an employee — or maybe you were the parent, teacher, coach or boss in the situation — our responses in these situations play an important role in our human potential.

This is the foundation of Top 20 Training, a simple philosophy that reminds us that how we react and respond to situations can impact the lives of those around us. Developed by Twin Cities based educators, Top 20 Training has been taught to thousands of students, parents  and educators to help motivate and foster a more positive frame of thinking. Businesses including 3M, Wells Fargo and Target also have hosted seminars to enhance communication and problem solving skills for their employees.

"Top 20 Training is not about furthering a 'feel-good culture' where people shrug-off personal responsibility. In fact it's the opposite," explains Paul Bernabei, an educator and co-founder of the program. "Our philosophy enables people to realize that making mistakes and acknowledging shortcomings is all part of improving the self. 

"We want to create an environment where people in positions of leadership learn to communicate effectively, which can remove barriers to personal growth."

Bernabei, and his colleague Tom Cody, will bring Top 20 Training — Guiding Our Children Through Life's Challenges to the south metro on April 13, from 7 to 9 p.m., at Falcon Ridge Middle School (12900 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd.) in Apple Valley. Admission is $10 per person ($15 per couple) in advance or $15 per person ($20 per couple) at the door — all proceeds will benefit Independent School District 196 Early Childhood Family Services programs. A dessert reception will follow the presentation. To register for the event, please visit  http://www.district196.org/ecfe/UpcomingEvents.cfm.

Or to learn more about Top 20 Training, go to http://www.top20training.com/.