Many of the young men we coach have a strong desire to achieve independence but don’t know where to start. They’re unsatisfied with life and they understand that where they are at now is not where they want to be. They might have an objective in mind but they don’t know where to start. This can stem from insecurity of not wanting to make a mistake, uncertainty over where to start or even stagnation because of the amount of work involved in meeting that objective or goal. No matter what the reason, a strong support network is crucial to helping these young men spring back and get back into the game of life.
Support is crucial to long-term change
How helpful is it to have the proper support when one is reaching a goal or objective? Unconditional support is absolutely necessary to a struggling young adult’s success, and that is exactly what we at Forte Strong provide. Support when a day is hard, when things get confusing, when there is doubt and unsurity. Support and confidence that one has the capability to make things happen for themselves, support and guidance on how to go about doing something that one has never attempted or accomplished before. Having support (much like a guarantee or warranty when purchasing something) is comforting and is crucial in the learning process.
Make some mistakes and gain valuable experience
Mistakes actually need to be made so that objectives can be rethought, refined and refocused. Without mistakes there is no growth. How did you learn to walk or ride a bicycle or pretty much do anything in life? Exactly… through mistakes. Making mistakes is a part of life, and making a mistake by no means equals failure which we talk about in more detail in our post titled, Lets make some mistakes! Parents, if you look at mistakes as something that should be avoided or frowned upon then your son is going to do just that avoid them.
Take the first step and the rest will follow
The main thing that we coach our students on at Forte Strong is to simply take the first step. We call it the mountain principle, which you may have heard before. To answer the question, “How do you climb a mountain?” The answer is simple. One step at a time. 99% of the time the hardest part of the journey is taking that first step. Its very rewarding to see our students who are hesitant, take that first step and then realize, much to their surprise, how easy it was! It makes the rest of the journey not seem so daunting and insurmountable. The first step often turns into a few more steps which then turns into momentum, the ultimate goal! Momentum is where change, growth and progress happen at a more accelerated and long-term pace which is exactly where you want your son to be. Although this ideology might seem a bit basic, it is solid advice. The most important thing is that you’re moving forward.
Quick Summary
So the next time you look at that ever-so-scary mountain lying ahead of you, replace fear with confidence. Take one step, look back at your support team, and take that next step! With the right guidance, in the right environment, with the right support your son can achieve independence and so much more. It always starts with that first step.
-The Forte Strong Family
About The Author
Brook Price dedicated himself to helping others early in his life. He grew up in Sunny Orange County California, then joined the Marine Corps at the age of 21 serving five and half years as a helicopter crew chief and then as chief accountant. His journey with this type of work began when he volunteered as a Young Marines Instructor during his time in the Marines, helping kids get off the street, improve their lives and develop as a leader. After his tour Brook left the Marines to pursue a career in experiential therapy by attending Southern Utah University where he majored in outdoor recreation with a minor in psychology.
Brook has seventeen years experience working for a variety of different therapeutic and transitional programs across the nation. His thirst for knowledge drove him to learn and study successful therapeutic models and programs across the country, most notably Outward Bound. Brook has experience working with therapeutic, residential, military, wilderness and transitional programs for adults and adolescents.