You Got This!

by Maya S Penn

  MAYA: What advice would you give to other young people who want to pursue their passions?

  TAYLOR: Try it! It doesn’t matter if other people don’t like your project at first. The most important thing is for you to like it, and to not be afraid to mess up.

  It doesn’t matter how or in what ways you choose to do your part. Your way of giving back might be recycling your paper and plastics or organizing a whole recycling drive at your school or place of worship. It could be donating a few canned goods to a local food bank or volunteering some time each week to serve meals at a homeless shelter. All of these things make a difference, and all of them cause a ripple effect. But now imagine that you recruit just three of your friends to help you. That each of them picks three of their friends, and so on and so forth. Suddenly, it’s not just one person giving back—it’s a movement. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that one person can’t change the world.

  One person is how every change gets its start.

  DISCOVERING YOUR DESTINY

  Where Will Your Path Take You?

  Before making my television debut on Fox 5 Atlanta, one of our local news shows, I was feeling pretty excited, as well as a little bit terrified. (To quote Pinkie Pie from My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, another of my favorite childhood cartoons, I was very, well, “nervouscited.”) The reporter and her crew had arrived at our house—the bulk of the interview was filmed in my very own living room—so I plopped down into a big red chair, made sure my hair was fixed and that I looked camera ready, stared right into that giant lens, and just started talking. About how I began my journey. About everything I felt passionate about. I didn’t have any formal remarks prepared. I just let my passion and positive energy guide me, and the words seemed to just tumble out.

  After the main interview, the crew and I headed upstairs to my studio, a.k.a. my creative laboratory. I was eager to show it off, if for no other reason than I’d spent hours cleaning it up the day before—I couldn’t have the cameraman tripping over a spool of thread or stepping on a pincushion. (Listen, when you’re a creative person, you usually end up creating a messy workspace.) I unveiled some of my designs and played some of my animations, wondering what the final cut would look like, and if the producers would keep any of my favorite parts.

  On the day the interview actually aired, my parents and I huddled around the television. I’ll admit that it was weird to see myself on TV, especially on a channel I’d been familiar with all my life (there’s maybe nothing as recognizable as your hometown network news program), but I was really happy to see how the package had come together—they did, indeed, keep the majority of my favorite parts. After the segment had aired, we were all clapping and cheering, but it was in that moment that I realized Maya’s Ideas had become something much bigger than me. I’d been able not only to give back in some ways, but also to make a larger impact than I could have imagined. It was like there was some outside source, or a higher power, guiding me on my journey.

  It wouldn’t be the only time I felt that way.

  Several years later, when I was in San Francisco and preparing—nervously, you’ll remember—to give my TEDWomen speech, I went backstage to get my hair and makeup done, and there, standing right in the middle of the room, preparing to give her talk, was the amazing, incredible Diana Nyad. Now, if you’re not familiar with Diana, you need to do some serious research. She is a record-holding, award-winning long-distance swimmer who became the first person to swim the more than one hundred miles from Cuba to Florida (on her fifth attempt, at the age of sixty-four); understandably, her story of determination and perseverance has inspired people all over the world. I, however, was completely shocked to see her. I’d had no idea she was one of the TEDWomen speakers. In fact, I’d only recently watched an episode of Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday that featured Diana, and I had been captivated by her story. So to go from sitting there in my living room, riveted to the TV, to actually meeting her—much less sharing a stage—was mind-boggling. But what really blew me away would happen a year or so later.

  I had been organizing my studio when I came across an old article about me from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It had been published in September, just a few months before I made my TEDWomen debut, and right there on the exact same page as my article, just a little down and to the left, was an article about Diana.

  You see, I don’t think it was a coincidence. I think she and I were destined to meet.

  As I stood there gawking at her, she walked right up to me and introduced herself. The memory is now too much of a blur for me to remember exactly what she said, but the gist of the conversation was that she was curious to know who I was and what I was going to be speaking about—all of us had been making the same sort of small talk. But she seemed particularly interested in my story, and was really supportive of the ways in which I was giving back.

  Diana took the TED stage right after me, and in the first few minutes of her talk, she singled me out in the crowd, using me as an example of women and girls in the world doing awesome work. I beamed from my seat in the auditorium. I had made not only a new friend, but a new personal she-ro.

  I have had a magical, unexpected, occasionally outlandish life so far—I know I’ve been fortunate to experience some amazing things—but truthfully, I don’t think any of it has sunk in yet, and I’m not sure if it ever will. I don’t know where my life will take me, or what’s going to happen next, or what the future will bring. None of us do. What I do know is that we all have a creative gift to share, a way to influence the world, and the power to make our dreams a reality. I don’t believe in coincidences. I think we all have a purpose in this life, a destiny.

  What will yours bring?

  WHAT NOW?

  As you near the final pages of this book—since I’m not able to throw you a party, I wanted to at least include some confetti between the pages, but my publisher wouldn’t allow it (it’s the thought that counts, right?)—I hope you have more confidence in your creative abilities, and that you’re eager to share those gifts with the world. To all my fabulous Flip-Floppers, beautiful Blank-Drawers, and unsurpassed Under-Thinkers, I hope that you’re happy being whatever type it is that you are. I hope you know that if you still aren’t sure which passions to pursue, that’s okay. You are still an artist, a visionary, and an inspiration. I hope you stand firm in your weirdness and strong in your awkwardness. Be proud of your wonky fan art and your failed lines of code. Use your typos and missed kicks on the field as symbols of your power. Take that measly five dollars you made at the lemonade stand and buy yourself something nice. Swing that homemade polymer clay necklace around your neck and wreak some havoc. We’re all just awkward little jelly beans making our way through the jar.

  But we’re creators, too.

  So go out and create the world you want to see. And make it awesome.

  THANK YOUS

  GOD, for all of the blessings and guidance

  My parents, Deidre and John Penn, for their endless love and support

  My great aunt Pauline Avant (Aunt Ba Ba)

  My great grandmother Josephine Penn

  My grandparents John and Gloria Penn

  All my aunts and uncles (especially Janie, Toni, Mickie, and Stephen)

  All my cousins (especially Micah, Aaron, Sophia and Phil; love my cuzzos)

  My brother John (Thanks for your support, bro.)

  My BFF Madisen G. (Thanks for all the weird inside jokes and putting up with my Maya-ness.)

  The squad (Thank you for always being there. I love you nerds with all my heart.)

  Michele Martin (I loved you from our first conversation. We are truly kindred spirits. Thank you for having the same vision.)

  Courtney Hargrave (a.k.a. Angelic Ninja) for all of her hard work

  Michelle Howry, Hilary Mau, and my family at North Star Way and Simon & Schuster

  My furry babies (Blackberry, Fritter, and Coconut, a.k.a. The Trailmix Trio, and Shelldon)

  Maur
een Ferrell

  Tacoma Perry

  James Coney

  Audrey Jones

  Chef Evelyn Paul

  Chris Anderson, Pat Mitchell, Kelly Stoetzel, June Cohen, and my TED family

  Ariel Nessel and Alissa Hauser and my TPP family

  Ambassador Audrey Gardner

  Shelia Poole

  Sara Bernard

  Kara Ohngren

  Kenny Leon and Jennifer Dwyer McEwen

  Gabrielle Bernstein (You rock! Thank you for being an inspiration.)

  Nikki Reed (Thank you for your beautiful heart and generosity and all that you do.)

  Nicki Escudero (Nicki a la Noche) Thank you for your support and friendship!

  Jamie Broadnax (Black Girl Nerds)

  Dan Carroll (DragonCon)

  Jules Trace

  Ruth Pittard

  Priscilla Woolworth (author of LOLA Lots of Love Always)

  W. Imara Canady

  Daniel Troppy

  Krista Hayes and Michael Baisden

  Watermarke Church/Woodstock City Church/Northpoint, Andy Stanley, Gavin Adams, my church smallgroup and my smallgroup leader Ms. Leslie

  To my customers, supporters, everyone who has sent inspirational and life-changing emails, prayed for me, and prayed over me, thank you, thank you, thank you.

  This reading group guide for You Got This! includes an introduction, discussion questions, ideas for enhancing your book club, and a Q&A with author Maya Penn. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.

  Introduction

  Maya Penn is a remarkable teen entrepreneur who has given three TED Talks, created her own eco-friendly fashion line, developed animated films, and appeared on The View with Whoopi Goldberg. She has even been name-checked by bestselling authors Gabrielle Bernstein, Steve Harvey, and Eve Ensler. All while still in middle school!

  Although Maya is extraordinary in many ways, and her success is a testament to her own creativity, passion, and fearlessness—these are traits that can be cultivated in all of us.

  In You Got This! Maya shares her incredible journey to becoming an artist, designer, philanthropist, and business owner. She provides a creative blueprint for teens and young adults, along with the tools she used to build an authentic, exciting, and connected life, and offers creative prompts for cultivating success. So let your creativity and passion flow freely and watch as your world transforms. It all starts with you!

  Topics & Questions for Discussion

  1. In the beginning of the book, Maya talks about “doing it afraid.” In Maya’s words, “doing it afraid” means “it’s best to acknowledge the fear you feel, and then go ahead and do that scary thing anyway.” Do you think this is true? Have you ever felt scared to do something and then done it anyway? How did you feel during? How did you feel after?

  2. Maya points out that there are lots of interesting and unusual jobs available that many kids don’t even know exist. Because Maya loved drawing and cartoons, she was particularly excited about becoming a professional animator. Think about your own hobbies and interests. What would your dream “interesting and unusual job” be?

  3. Maya taught herself HTML coding in order to customize her website without having to rely on expensive website-building programs. Was there a time when you used out-of-the-box thinking or problem-solving skills to solve a problem? Discuss.

  4. Do you agree with child development experts who say that “play is children’s work?” Was there ever a time when you learned something important about yourself/your interests while playing? What did you learn?

  5. Maya believes that we all fall into one of three categories when it comes to making big life decisions: Flip-Floppers, Blank-Drawers, and Under-Thinkers. Based on Maya’s descriptions, which do you think you are? Why do you feel that way? How can you use Maya’s tips (such as building a dream board) to zero in on your passions?

  6. Did you take Maya’s advice and build a dream board? If so, what did you learn? Were you surprised? How will you put the passions you discovered into action?

  7. Standing out from the crowd is an important part of pursuing your passions and chasing your dreams. However, sometimes feeling “different” can be hard. Have you ever been bullied because of your differences? Have you ever bullied someone else for being different?

  8. Maya has a number of “friend-tors” who provide friendship, encouragement, and advice. Do you have any role models or mentors in your life? What characteristics do they possess that you admire? How might they help you accomplish your dreams?

  9. Are your parents the “Up-for-Anything Parents,” the “Follow-in-My-Footsteps Folks,” or the “Parents Who Just Don’t Get It?” How might you use Maya’s advice to get your parents on board with your creative idea?

  9. Maya uses the Internet to run her business, connect with friends, and much more! However, she also stresses the importance of being safe and smart online. How do you use the Internet to safely pursue your passions? What are some online safety tips that you’ve learned?

  10. How do you react to fear—are you a “Deep-Freezer” or a “Sprinter”? How can you use Maya’s advice to conquer your fears and pursue your passions?

  11. Do you agree with Maya that “Perfection is the enemy of good?” Why or why not? Can you think of a time when perfectionism prevented you from finishing a project?

  12. Having a supportive circle of friends can be very important when growing your “Big Idea.” How might you get your friends on board with one of your causes? Can you think of ways that you could help another friend pursue his/her Big Idea?

  13. Maya talks a lot about the importance of activism. Are there any causes that are important to you? If so, what are they? How can you get involved, or start a cause of your own that will make a difference and change your world for the better?

  14. Maya identifies several “Youth Who Are Changing The World.” What characteristics do these young activists share? How can you employ some of those characteristics in your own activism?

  15. How has Maya’s advice changed your outlook on your own life? Which parts spoke to you the most? Are you excited about starting your own business, forming a school club, or creating a charity? How do you plan to unleash your awesomeness?

  For even more ideas, check out Maya’s website: http://mayasideas.com/

  Enhance Your Book Club

  1. First, watch Maya’s TED Talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/maya_penn_meet_a_young_entrepreneur_cartoonist_designer_activist?language=en

  Then, create your own “TED Talk” by filming yourself with a handheld camera, phone, or computer. Discuss what you are passionate about and show examples of your work. You can show the video to your friends, parents, or teachers, or just keep it for yourself as inspiration. Remember, it’s okay to be nervous before filming. Just take Maya’s mom’s advice and “do it afraid!”

  2. Maya learned all about animation by watching YouTube tutorials. Now it’s your turn! Think of a craft or activity that you’ve always wanted to try (some ideas include: knitting, Adobe Photoshop, hair braiding, dancing, or origami) and then follow a YouTube tutorial that shows you how. Remember, practice makes perfect!

  3. Maya loves fortune cookies and even used one to start her own dream board. With an adult’s help/supervision, create your own fortune cookies by following the recipe here: http://www.kidspot.com.au/kitchen/recipes/fortune-cookies-925?ref=group_collection_view%2Ccuisine

  For the fortunes, write down quotes that you like/positive messages of inspiration.

  Bring the homemade cookies/handwritten fortunes to your next family gathering/sleepover/friend hangout. Enjoy as your family and friends discover the handwritten notes inside and encourage them to use your messages as inspiration for their own dream boards!

  4. When Maya started her own business, she had no idea how much
work was involved in actually running it! Now that she’s had some experience, she knows the importance of a business plan—a written report that outlines the company goals and provides a roadmap for achieving those goals.

  Follow the steps that Maya outlines in the book to create a business plan for your very own dream business. Make sure to include a market analysis, sales strategy, financial projections, and management structure. Keep your final product in a safe place—you might need it sooner than you think!

  5. Research local charities in your community and sign up to participate with one that interests you! It might just give you ideas for how to form your very own organization.

  A Conversation with Maya Penn

  1. Why did you decide to write You Got This!?

  I get so many emails and comments and messages every day from kids, teens, and adults who have been inspired by my story and want some advice on how to get started on pursuing their passions. I eventually decided a book would be the best place to share all my advice and stories with the world.

  2. Tell us about the process of writing the book. What did you like best? What were some of the unexpected challenges you faced?

  I really treated this book like a journal. I just wrote my thoughts and stories about my journey every day over the course of a year, which was a great creative outlet for me and a way to reflect. The main challenge was organizing everything I wrote that year and putting it into book form.

  3. What’s the most rewarding part of being a “young” entrepreneur and activist? What’s the most challenging?

  The most rewarding part of being a young entrepreneur and activist is learning and experiencing all of the amazing things that I have on my journey at a young age and knowing I can apply a lot of the things I’ve learned in these experiences in adulthood.