In Gerad Egan's book, The Skilled Helper, there are some outlined tasks that must be completed to become a mature adult. Tasks such as become an active role in life, become independent, diversify yourself, develop enduring interests, have some leadership positions, and control your destiny. I agree with most of his thoughts about how to become a mature adult.
But I also think another piece that wasn't addressed is the skill to have an on off switch. Let me explain myself. I am in marching band and we have to get a lot of work done, but we also have a lot of fun. A major skill that separates the mature people from everyone else is the ability to easily switch the fun switch with the hard-working switch. When we are working for 12 hours a day, we need to be able to have some fun and relax, but we also have to get things done. The people who can work hard but also have fun, I think are the best people to have in band. The people that only have work and not have any fun are usually uptight and stressing a lot and more critical of others. The people who only have fun get obnoxious and disregard all focus and do not get any work done. There has to be a middle ground. The ability to have an on off switch, to know when it is time to work and when it is time to have fun.
I think that my high school has allowed me to grow into a mature adult, but I don't think they have pushed me to do so either. I think I have been influenced more by my church and my family to become the person I am today. My high school did not hinder me, but they did not help me along the way. But I think the steps to adulthood cannot be forced upon anyone, otherwise it proves they are truly not an adult. It has to come partially from within. No one can just hand it to you, it is becoming more of yourself. The person you want to become, not the one someone else is telling you to be.
YOU have to be the one to seek out the activities you are interested or YOU need to start that club. YOU need to take responsibilities for your actions. YOU need to be in charge of your learning and not expect to be spoon fed everything. YOU need to do what you love and love what you do. YOU need to experiment and fail and learn for yourself. YOU need to realize that you are an example to others even if you aren't in an official leadership position. YOU need to realize that you control a great extent of your future. YOU need to do the necessary things to get to where you want to be. What are other characteristics of a mature adult? Do you possess them? What can you do to make you into the person you wish to be?
I think that my high school has allowed me to grow into a mature adult, but I don't think they have pushed me to do so either. I think I have been influenced more by my church and my family to become the person I am today. My high school did not hinder me, but they did not help me along the way. But I think the steps to adulthood cannot be forced upon anyone, otherwise it proves they are truly not an adult. It has to come partially from within. No one can just hand it to you, it is becoming more of yourself. The person you want to become, not the one someone else is telling you to be.
YOU have to be the one to seek out the activities you are interested or YOU need to start that club. YOU need to take responsibilities for your actions. YOU need to be in charge of your learning and not expect to be spoon fed everything. YOU need to do what you love and love what you do. YOU need to experiment and fail and learn for yourself. YOU need to realize that you are an example to others even if you aren't in an official leadership position. YOU need to realize that you control a great extent of your future. YOU need to do the necessary things to get to where you want to be. What are other characteristics of a mature adult? Do you possess them? What can you do to make you into the person you wish to be?
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