Why Coaching?
A common problem among teenagers.
This seemingly 'go with the flow' attitude translates into the inability to self-manage, an essential core life skill.
For parents who have said and tried everything. It is hard to know what to do next.
What’s getting in the way?
Teenagers don’t have the same cognitive tools available to them as adults - their brains are not yet fully developed and they lack experience. Teens are guided more by the emotional and reactive amygdala and less by the thoughtful, logical frontal cortex.
Translation: it takes a lot of energy for them to shift their focus from the here and now to the future. For some more than others.
There are three walls in the way of teens’ ability to build core life skills: The Wonts, The Cants, and The Self-Controls. The Wonts have to do with prioritization and seeing the value in delaying immediate gratification for long-term gains. The Cants are more to do with an inability to take care of the ‘not so fun stuff.’ The Self Controls are their capacity to manage life independently.
The height or intensity of these roadblocks is different for everyone. Regardless of their present state, and the barriers they face, everyone is capable of finding a way through.
The importance of getting through.
For parents who are burning the candle at both ends trying to help their teens build these life skills, it is concerning to think what will happen if they don’t get their act together and figure it out. Establishing good habits before leaving the nest is critical on setting teens up for adulting success.
The good news is, there is always a way through!
As an executive function coach for teenagers, my job is not to break down these walls but help them open new doors so they can find their own way through.
