Planting Seeds for Growth: Helping Youth Thrive Amid Distractions and Change

On a recent episode of the Generation Youth Podcast, I had the chance to sit down with Kerri Scheetz—an educator with more than 30 years in classrooms and hallways that have seen everything. Our conversation circled around one big question parents, teachers, and coaches keep asking me:

How do we help young people grow when the world feels louder, faster, and more distracting than ever?

The answer, as it turns out, isn’t flashy. It’s steady. And it looks a lot like tending a garden.

Focus Is Hard—and That’s Not a Character Flaw

Let’s be honest. Focus is harder today than it was when many of us were growing up. Screens are everywhere. Notifications never stop. Entertainment is instant.

Kerri named what so many educators are seeing: students aren’t broken—they’re conditioned. Technology has trained them for speed, novelty, and constant stimulation. Sitting with a thought, wrestling with an idea, or staying committed to something long-term doesn’t come naturally anymore.

Here’s the important shift, though: the goal isn’t to wage war on technology or romanticize “the good old days.” The goal is to help young people navigate this digital landscape with wisdom.

Some kids naturally think ahead. Others live squarely in the moment. I see this even within my own family. The mistake we make as adults is assuming there’s one right way to motivate or engage kids.

There isn’t.

Growth happens when we meet them where they are—and then patiently help them stretch.

Plant the Seed. Don’t Yank the Plant.

This is where Kerri’s garden metaphor really landed.

Parents and educators are seed-planters. That’s our job.

We recommend a book.
We share a podcast episode.
We ask a thoughtful question.
We model healthy habits.

And then… we wait.

That waiting part? That’s where most of us struggle.

If you’re a fixer (and let’s be real, many of us are), it’s tempting to push too hard, too fast. When that happens, kids don’t lean in—they shut down. Sometimes dramatically. Sometimes quietly.

Kerri put it simply: if you hit an emotional door slam, you’ve gone too far.

Instead of lectures, she encourages curiosity:

• “Tell me more.”

• “What was something good about today?”

• “What do you think you’ll do next?”

Those questions keep the soil soft. Growth doesn’t always show up right away, but seeds are taking root.

Helping Young People See a Future They Can Step Into

One of the biggest obstacles facing Gen Z isn’t laziness or apathy—it’s vision.

Many teens struggle to picture themselves six months from now, much less five years down the road. When you can’t see a future, it’s easy to drift. Life becomes reactive instead of intentional.

So how do we help?

Exposure matters.

Books.
Podcasts.
Conversations with adults who love what they do.
Mentors who model purpose and integrity.

Kerri asked questions I wish every teen heard regularly:

• “Who are you surrounding yourself with?”

• “Who influences how you think?”

• “What small step are you taking toward something that matters?”

Friends shape futures. Always have. The difference now is that digital and real-life relationships blur together. Teaching young people how to choose their circle wisely may be one of the most important life skills we give them.

Overwhelm Is Real—And Burnout Starts Early

Here’s another truth we don’t talk about enough: many students are exhausted before they ever leave home.

High schoolers feel pressure to do everything. Sports. Clubs. Advanced classes. Leadership roles. All for a résumé they don’t fully understand yet.

Kerri’s advice was refreshingly grounded: not every opportunity is worth saying yes to. Passion matters. Sustainability matters. Margin matters.

In Generation Youth workshops, we often ask students to define what a good friend looks like on paper. It sounds simple, but it’s powerful. Clarity changes decisions.

And yes—kids will still mess up. That’s part of learning. Our role isn’t to control every outcome, but to stay close enough to guide them when they stumble.

Adults Matter More Than We Think

If there’s one takeaway from this conversation, it’s this:

Young people don’t need perfect adults.
They need present ones.

Adults who listen more than they lecture.
Adults who ask good questions.
Adults who stay patient when progress feels slow.
Adults who believe growth is happening—even when it’s invisible.

Gardens don’t grow overnight. Neither do kids.

But when seeds are planted with care and watered consistently, something strong eventually breaks through the soil.

And when it does, it’s always worth the wait.

If you want to continue this conversation, connect with Kerri Scheetz at kerrischeetz.com/or on LinkedIn. And make sure you’re subscribed to the Generation Youth Podcast for ongoing conversations that support, challenge, and encourage those raising and leading the next generation.