Remember those talent show spotlights? The proud smiles?
At 18, that was my life.
My music album – my baby – was out there.
Recorded in a makeshift studio, sleeves printed by hand, sold gig by gig.
I even saw a few bucks roll in.
“So talented!” people would gush.
TV spots, local competitions, the fleeting rush of applause.
It felt like the world was opening up.
Then came 25.
Silence. Empty pockets. That applause? A distant echo. Just… empty.
I’d swallowed the lie hook, line, and sinker: talent was the golden ticket.
Passion would magically unlock doors.
Work hard, stay humble, and someone – anyone – would tap me on the shoulder and say, “You’re the one!”
Newsflash: the tapping never happened.
Because here’s the kick-in-the-teeth truth I wish someone had screamed at my 18-year-old self: Nobody discovers you. You build yourself.
And you know what?
I see the same damn lie being peddled to young adults today.
“Follow your passion!” they’re told.
As if passion alone pays the bills or builds a career.
Spoiler alert, parents: it doesn’t.
Not without a damn system.
Think about it. Maybe your kid has that spark.
The incredible voice, the knack for coding, the way they can fix anything.
You see it. Their teachers see it. Even their slightly skeptical grandma grudgingly admits it.
But you also see the drift.
The late nights glued to screens, the half-finished projects, the vague talk of “someday.”
You worry that their talent, that bright flame, is slowly flickering out.
You’re not alone.
I’ve been there, watching my own “fire” dwindle as the real world demanded more than just a good guitar riff.
My turning point?
It wasn’t a guru or a self-help book. It was the cold, hard reality of hitting rock bottom with a stack of “talented” but useless achievements.
The realization that passion without a plan is just a hobby. A potentially expensive one.
That’s when I stopped chasing the spotlight and started looking for the system.
The framework. The damn instructions manual that nobody hands you when you’re brimming with youthful potential.
Now, when I work with young people – maybe even someone a bit like your own – the first question isn’t some fluffy “What’s your dream?” nonsense.
Dreams are cheap. Everyone has them.
Instead, I ask: “What’s your next move?”
Because direction? That’s gold. Action? That’s what builds empires (or, you know, a decent career).
We focus on the practical stuff.
Not the airy-fairy “follow your bliss” crap.
We look at their skills, the real-world needs, and how to connect the two in a way that actually works.
We build a roadmap, brick by brick.
The result? I see young people who aren’t waiting to be “discovered.”
They’re building their own damn stage.
They’re not just talented; they’re strategic.
They’re not just passionate; they’re focused.
And you know what the best part is?
They’re in control.
They’re not relying on someone else’s permission or approval.
They’re making their own moves.
If you’re watching your child’s talent gather dust, if you’re worried about their direction (or lack thereof), there’s a different way.
A way that doesn’t rely on luck or waiting for a miracle.
Ready to help your teenager find their “next move” and build a real path forward?
I’m offering a free 30-minute call where we can chat about your specific situation and I’ll walk you through the three core tools of the Life Plot method – the same tools that helped me go from broke musician to building a real, sustainable path, and that are now helping young people just like yours.
We’ll explore how to help them:
- Identify a clear direction, even if they’re currently lost in a sea of possibilities.
- Set goals they 100% control, moving beyond vague dreams to actionable steps.
- Create habits that actually stick, turning good intentions into real-world progress.
This isn’t about stifling their passion.
It’s about channeling it.
It’s about giving them the map so their talent doesn’t go to waste.
Click here to schedule your free 30-minute call.
Let’s talk about your teenager’s next move.
