Ask HN: Founders, what would you tell yourself at 15?

I think the Jeff Bezos' speech about how it's harder to be kind than clever is always good with the young folks: http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S27/52/51O99/. I'm not suggesting you copy it but rather talk about the lessons/takeaways.

I wouldn't get hung up with the pressure of thinking that, for you to help Scottish youth succeed, then you must help this one group succeed. This is a case, IMO, where a shotgun-approach works better than the rifle approach. You should do lots of speeches, workshops, groups, etc rather than just one. One speech - that's just too much pressure. What if you are nervous and come across geeky/hard to listen to? Too bad - the youth of Scotland will never succeed. But what if this is just one of 100 events? I'm not suggesting you "phone it in" but I am pointing out that there is success in numbers. Influence is a numbers game.

Good luck!

Evolve or die.

Don't let fear make decisions.

Be independent but don't be afraid to ask for help.

You seem to be getting downvoted but I found this response hilarious and probably more in tune with how I would actually speak to myself. Unfortunately, I am yet to fully learn this lesson. I get distracted by just about everything and run off into the wild leaving half attempts strewn in my wake.

Thought you'd like to know not everyone is downvoting you ;)

As a current student, I think what you are doing is quite wonderful, and having just read PG's 'What You'll Wish You'd Known' Speech, I think that such a talk like this could be incredibly powerful and might make a difference in some lives. What I would stress is the abundance of possibilities available, just the sheer amount of magical discoveries that they can go on to accomplish, or discover an hour after your talk (on that point, stressing action now, what they can do as a student is paramount to reaching them and getting them to really take you up on your offer). Too many times, speakers come in and give these lackluster maxim-filled speeches about life, and roads ahead of them. I would try to really imbue within your audience the fact that they can act now, and grasp at openings that could propel them to discoveries 10..15 years from now.

I do think it is quite admirable to try to plant the seeds of this career and of possibilities in these fifteen year olds, and think you could really make a difference somewhere.

If you need anyone to bounce ideas off from the perspective of a current student or give any critiques, feel free to shoot me an email (in my profile), and I would be happy to look it over. Good luck!