10 Truths for Young Adults

I see a lot of young people in their early to mid 20’s struggling right now. When I talk to young adults, I encourage and re-frame situations by sharing ideas to help them get perspective on life.

TRUTH 🔥:  Everyone is on their own journey. 

Here are 10 truths I’m sharing with young adults right now:

You’re not behind. It’s hard to believe that you can be 25 years old and believe you’re behind in life. I get it, however. When you compare yourself to others, you'll tell yourself stories. Halt the false narratives about yourself and start telling stories that more positive. What is working well for you right now?

Say yes to as many things as possible. You never know if you like something until you try it. That’s what your 20’s is for, testing and trying. If you don’t try things when you’re young, when will you do it? If it’s career-related, find people in jobs that interest you. I think this is what stresses young people out, they have to choose one thing and stick with it for 40 years. 

Widen the scope on success. Don’t make the parameters for success so narrow that you can’t win. Find different ways to measure success. You didn’t get the job? No worries. You gained experience from the interview process and meeting people. Everything makes you stronger if you let it. 

It’s good to have challenge.

Challenge makes you stronger. If I want to be physically stronger, I have to do something to give my body resistance. Life is no different. I know if feels better when things are easy, but skills, confidence and resilience are built when things are challenging. It’s a good thing. You can’t go around it; you have to go through it. Delaying challenge is delaying your growth.

Get into action

Take any action. Sometimes you just have to take a small step to get movement. Attend a networking meeting, ask for a coffee date, take a workshop, or offer to present at an event. You’ll know which action take. (Hint: it’s the one that makes you feel fearful.)

Meet as many people as you can. Network and build your connections if you want to get opportunities. It’s also a way that you can help other people. The stronger your network, the more you’ll be able to help yourself and others. 

Get a mentor. I wished I had a mentor when I was in my 20s. I needed someone to guide me when I wasn’t feeling fulfilled early on. Someone who had gone through what I was experiencing would’ve helped me find a path forward. People love to help, just ask.

Be of service. There is a great quote from Zig Ziglar that says, “If you help enough people get what they want, they'll help you get what you want” Add value wherever you go. It doesn't mean it has to be a time-consuming act of service. It could be an introduction to someone or a piece of advice or letting them in on an inside scoop. Don't think that just because you're young, you don't have anything to offer. Everyone has something to offer. You're doing something right now that is easy for you that is difficult for someone else.

Have a good attitude. John Maxwell had a great line, “Attitude isn't everything, but almost.” Isn't it so much nicer to be around people who have a good attitude. I feel like a lot of people have conditioned themselves to be negative. Don't pre-hate things! Refrain from judging something in advance until you've tried it. See the good in life. 

Stop being hard on yourself. If you want to grow at a rapid pace, self-reflect. What are you learning right now? What did the opportunity that didn't work out teach you? Talk kindly to yourself. Give yourself some encouragement every single day. How you show up for yourself matters.

Coaching Question: Where in your life are you playing small right now?

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