He’s Slovak, but his English is simply mindblowingly good. I’ve seen random people in the tram ask him if he grew up in the UK. He takes his school seriously, loves solving problems, is emphatically empathic and surprisingly supportive towards anyone feeling low. Slackers do get on his nerves, and he doesn’t suffer fools gladly. You can talk to him about any topic under the heavens -only esoteric stuff is not his cup of tea. Speaking of tea: he adores black tea with milk, but only if someone makes it for him, because otherwise it just slips his mind. No wonder if you absorb as much information as he does every day. His girlfriend is in her early twenties and a driven, gifted art school student. What makes all this all the more impressive? The guy is 17. Yes, he’s seven-f*cking-teen and he’s got so much sense he’s a living reminder of how messed up my teenage years were in contrast. Enjoy his answers!

What is the one thing you could do today that would make everything else easier?

Thinking a whole lot more before doing something stupid, I don’t mess up often, but it sucks when I do, and I’m in a world of guilt for long after.

How are you going to create more value for yourself and others than you did yesterday?

By somehow, in some way, improving, I feel horrid when I wake up late and do nothing all day.

What’s the most important project you’re working on right now?

School, work, and my relationships, even though i’ts not overwhelming its working out.

What are you grateful for?

I’m grateful that I’m surrounded with people I love, and that I can love the ones I hold most dear.

What are the positive habits you are building right now?

Anger management.

I get rowdy when people don’t cooperate when they should, but it pushes me over the edge when they start to complain as well.

I sometimes don’t stop to think that these are people, they didnt live through my experiences, and may not see things as I do.

It’s working out well though.

What is a decision you are absolutely committed to? What is something you absolutely want to accomplish?

Graduating, getting a good job, and settling down comfortably, basically nothing exact, and nothing too special, but who knows what the tides will bring.

What have you learned recently?

That sometimes, you just have to go the stand up for yourself if you want to feel good about life, even if you really don’t feel like it, and after the storm has passed it always seems to be sunnier.

Even if it means angering some people.

How do you want to feel today?

I want to feel happy, excited, and satisfied with what I did.

How are you going to reward yourself today?

Well, after I come home I may just meet up with my girlfriend and talk about stuff together, and play videogames later.

I guess I reward myself very very often in this way.

What sort of people are you inviting into your life today?

Ones that can show me that they are trying to do something with their lives, ones that care about the things they do, and ones that make me feel proud and happy.

Name a question you’d really like to see answered.

Are there times when you just want to complain? If so, all things considered, are you putting enough effort into the things you are supposed to do?

What does your ideal day look like?

Waking up rested, having good breakfast, a chill day at school, learning something new, catching the early bus on the way home, meeting my girlfriend, having a nice day out, coming home later in the day to play videogames, freshen up my knowledge for school IF needed, and then get a good nights sleep.

Rinse and repeat.

What would you do if you weren’t afraid?

Stand up for myself and my beliefs, oh so much more than now.

I like to make people happy, while detrimenting myself sometimes.

But sometimes that isn’t so great, especially when I’m expected to fight but it takes a long time to muster courage.

What’s your one word and why?

Progress. I’ts the one thing I expect and desire, not just from me, I want to see it in others too, so they can feel good about themselves and get addicted to it.

If your life was a movie, what would be the title?

Eyes on the prize.

What’s the best kind of business to get into right now?

I’m guessing electric cars, and the development around them, i’ts making leaps and bounds, and it has incredible potential.

Polygamy or monogamy? And why?

Monogamy, no doubts about it, while some may embrace polygamy, i’ts been injected into our minds since forever, and neither I or my girlfriend want that sort of stuff happening in our relationship.

What’s the shittiest thing you’ve ever done to someone?

When I was younger I told my mother I felt like she was going against me, I can’t even remember what over, but I remember the guilt.

What’s the nicest thing you’ve ever done for someone?

Being a hollow willow for anyone who needed it. I guess I haven’t done that many nice things for people, or just don’t consider them special enough to mention.

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?

“You are doing everything I could ask for and more.”

What advice would you give to your 12 year old self?

Keep going little dude, and chin up, you will turn out just fine, so stop feeling bad for what you’re like and wear it as a medal.