First Steps
All Rights and Copyright March 2011 to Pamela Alexander
A.K.A. Anne M. Angell
Published by Anne M. Angell at SMASHWORDS
ISBN: 978-1-4659-1250-3
Author of other books at Smashwords:
Angel Series:
The Hidden Treasure of His Heart
The Falling Star
The Promised Land
Imagine
Bible Study Books:
Line Upon Line Study Book
What Do You Do, Once You Are Born Again?
For Teen: Frazzled to DAZZLED
Novel:
THE END, or Just the Beginning . . .
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Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
No Part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express permission of Pamela Alexander
All figures and information are general or the average.
Dear Young Adult:
Congrats! Either you are headed to being a graduate or you graduated already. So, more than likely, you are now 18, or soon to be one. That is the magic number that most kids wait for. It means you are officially an adult.
Just to help you get in the right perspective for this book, I’d like you to imagine yourself standing in your home, facing the front door. Now, open the door and take a step outside. What do you see?
When I tutored Math to young adults, their last time with me, I asked the same question. I never got the response I was hoping for. They usually said the trees, lawn, a car, the neighbor across the street, etc. So, I tried to open their imagination. To be a successful adult, you must open your imagination up and see above and beyond. Whether you are an overachiever or an underachiever, it doesn’t matter. All it takes is someone who can see more than what is before their eyes.
So, now, see this as you open the door and take a step outside: the whole world at your feet. From the plains, mountains, oceans, seas, rivers and valleys, from New York to Singapore, Alaska to South Africa, the world is before you. The adventure begins in your mind and if you set it high enough and broad enough, you can do anything and go anywhere. You have plenty of years to get it right, so relax.
One step out into the world is all it takes. You don’t have to be the one that only dreams; you can be the one that makes the dream a reality. How far you go and what you do rests with you. Don’t ever let anyone say, “You can’t.” You can do what they only dreamed about and others have achieved.
Being an adult means responsibility, with accountability, and becoming a productive participant in life. At the same time, it is an adventure that never has to end. Blaming your parents, others, the school, your life for where you are at this point becomes pointless. From this point on, you are the so-called Captain of your own ship. Either you set the course for calm seas, peace and tranquility. Or, you steer it into open waters of turbulence and much anguish and pain.
I wrote this book to help you make a smooth transition into the every-day experiences that will begin to become a part of your new life as an adult.
I hope you find it a helpful tool and I wish you all the best.
Now, close your eyes, take in a deep breath, and expel it out as you open your eyes. Take the first step into a world with endless possibilities.
Sincerely,
Pam (Anne M Angell)
Well, although teachers are almost a thing of the past, old books are burned or returned, and most of your friends have gone their separate ways, you, still, have to face the future. Don’t dive right in; wade in the low end first. Get a feel for what you can expect.
Most may be contemplating college. Sadly, many think of this time as Party On! Instead of work—work, and more work, you need time for a serious contemplation on the future. Many delay the future as they relish their first experience of freedom. Freedom from parental control, the do this and don’t do that, day in and day out—rules . . . rules and more rules. Well, we all like to take the moment to dream. So, take it now, because tomorrow reality will hit you square in the face. Parents are exchanged for the laws of the land. You think they had dos and don’ts, wait until you face the real world. Dos and don’ts follow you everywhere you go: stores, streets, buildings, hospitals, college, etc. The best way to keep on the right side and stay out of trouble is just cooperate. It is that simple. Being in the world isn’t about being selfish. Those days as a teen, being selfish, are over. It is time to fit in and, hopefully, contribute to the well being and peace of the land. You aren’t supposed to be the problem; you are to become the solution.
At one time, I used to tutor Math to young teens. One of the first things I learned is they thought they knew what to expect once out of school, but they really didn’t. So, at the end of the school year, I gave them a few notes to help them know what to anticipate later in life. In this book, I am taking the same premise and stretching the idea to include as many obstacles as a young man or woman might face in life. Like a new colt out of the gate, you can expect some hurdles to jump. Hopefully, this book can prepare you for what awaits you.
I’d say the first thing to expect is how you present yourself to others in the real world. By this I mean, in the workplace, stores, church, and society in general, do you act more mature and confident through your words, actions, and appearance? You are a packaged deal inside and out. The outside is all many have to make a quick evaluation and judgment on what is on the inside of a person. It’s like a mental snapshot.
As a teen, ones odd behavior was tolerated for no other reason than you were a teen. People expect certain behavior from a teen and, although not all of it is especially liked, it is tolerated to a degree. However, as a new functioning citizen of the land, your behavior can determine how far you go in life. Certain behavior isn’t tolerated from an adult. In fact, it is frowned upon. Do adults act like immature brats? Some do. Does it make it right? Never. Adults are always supposed to set the standard of right and good and be the example to follow. Learn from their mistakes, or your own for that matter, and don’t repeat them.
Just know that every time you learn something new, you take that into your next experience. Let’s say you go to the Courthouse to deal with your taxes and they want certain forms and identification, but you didn’t have them. Well, next time you go, you are aware and better prepared for a similar situation. You find out what is needed before you go. It saves time; grief and frustration are not involved.
Many things can be done over the internet, which saves time and effort. Most states have a site that can walk you through most important aspects of things pertaining to the government. Like: your taxes, titles, licenses, social security, phone numbers to local government offices, etc. Use as many of these as possible. Become one of the informed ones.
Don’t always run to your parents. Learn to solve issues for yourself. Sooner or later, you’re going to have to do it anyway. Learn to be resourceful, informed, aware, knowledgeable about important life issues, and learn to be productive, not counterproductive.
When you come to a roadblock and you’ve done all you can think to do, then come to your parents for advice or help. Tell them what you did first to resolve an issue and see what advice they can offer. Show them you are maturing, by your being forthright and resourceful. Not knowing something ever shows you are ignorant. You become ignorant, if you never ask. The old saying is true, “They’ve been there, done that, and have the bumper sticker and tee shirt to prove it.” Every adult started where you are today. Always know that they are there to help you every step of the way.
Employer: the one you work for
Employee: the worker on the job, who works for the company or Employer
Qualifications
Many young adults believe they are qualified to do anything. When you go for that first job, you must be honest with yourself. Can you do the work required by your knowledge and skills? Are you willing to learn and be assertive? Are you willing to give the business what they need, the hours required, and the best quality of work they demand (ask\need)? A business can only function by the product going out of it. When you work for a company, you become a part of their success or failure. If you give them poor output, it reflects on them. Who wants to purchase an inferior product or labor? People want the best and that must be your mentality as well.
Sadly, today, many give the company below-standard work, as few hours as possible. Yet, they cry when their paycheck isn’t on time. A company expects from you eight hours of your best work. Not eight hours of seeing how little you can get by with, yet expect eight hours of pay. This mentality will end your so-called career speedily. That mentality will leave this sort of paper trail, which will follow you: Fired! Late for work. Always taking breaks or hiding in the lunch room or bathroom. Calls in sick a lot. Can’t get to work, car always breaking down. Got hurt on the job again. Whatever you left behind from the last job is noted by the next Employer. Make sure it is always a good report and recommendation.
You need to prepare a resume: an overall view of your experience, skills, where you have been, and what you have done. This is the opportunity to convince a hiring manager that you have the needed skills to bring to the position. This is the time to impress them. If you are right out of school, then offer them what you did in school, or extracurricular activities. An objective means: Why are you applying for the job? What is the type of career you are looking for? Saying you want to utilize your skills of cutting grass, landscaping, and knowledge of plants wouldn’t be appropriate if you went to a business that sells clothes. No match exists.