Why So Many Young Adults Can't Launch—and How to Help
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Action comes before confidence.
There is no perfect first move, only forward motion.
Unchecked thought loops derail performance in key moments.
A growing number of families are turning to high-end career coaching services—some costing tens of thousands of dollars. Parents are hoping these career coaches help their young adult children land internships and first jobs. It makes sense. When your child is stuck in middle school, high school, college, or beyond, you want to help them.
But after three decades of working with young people and families, I've seen a different pattern. Many stalled launches aren't about lack of opportunity—they are about overthinking.
By overthinking, I am talking about before a job-seeking action, an interview, or a higher-stakes job-related experience, that nasty inner thought loop-driven voice saying things like:
"They are going to see I am not qualified enough." "I'm already behind my friends from high school." "What if I screw this up?"
"They are going to see I am not qualified enough."
"I'm already behind my friends from high school."
"What if I screw this........
