The Top 5 Things We’ve Learned as Life Coaches for Young Adults

If there’s one thing we’ve learned after years of coaching young adults and college students, it’s this: this season of life is both beautiful and brutal. It’s where identity is being shaped, confidence is tested, and purpose starts to come alive.

We’ve worked with countless young adults through our Extraordinary Purpose programs—students stepping into college for the first time, twenty-somethings feeling lost in their career paths, and parents watching from the sidelines, wondering how to help.

Here are the top five lessons we’ve learned as life coaches for young adults—and how you, as a parent, can use them to guide and empower your own child.

1. They’re Not Lost—They’re Becoming

So many parents come to us saying, “My son just seems lost,” or “My daughter has no motivation.” But more often than not, they’re not lost—they’re just becoming.

They’re exploring who they are without the constant guidance of parents or teachers. They’re learning through trial and error. And yes, sometimes that looks messy.

As a parent:
Instead of rescuing or redirecting too quickly, practice curiosity. Ask,

“What do you think this experience is teaching you?”
You’ll be amazed at how their self-awareness starts to unfold when you trust their process.

2. Confidence Comes from Small Wins, Not Big Breakthroughs

We’ve learned that young adults don’t need a life-changing moment to gain confidence—they need small, consistent wins that prove to themselves that they can show up, even when it’s hard.

That’s why, as life coaches for college students, we often focus on micro-habits: journaling wins, completing one small task daily, or keeping promises to themselves.

As a parent:
Encourage your teen or young adult to celebrate the small things.
Ask them at dinner,

“What’s one thing you did today that you’re proud of?”
Reinforce progress, not perfection.

3. Purpose Isn’t Found—It’s Built

One of the biggest myths we help dismantle is that purpose is something you find. In reality, purpose is something you build through action, reflection, and consistency.

As life coaches for young adults, we’ve seen students go from feeling directionless to deeply grounded once they start exploring their values, strengths, and curiosities—and then taking small aligned steps toward them.

As a parent:
Support your child’s exploration phase. Encourage them to try new things, intern, volunteer, or take a class just because it sounds interesting.
Every experience adds a piece to their purpose puzzle.

4. They Need Space to Fail (and Be Seen Anyway)

We’ve learned that young adults grow most when they’re allowed to make mistakes—without shame, lectures, or comparison.

Failure is feedback. It’s how they learn who they are and what they’re capable of handling.

As a parent:
When your young adult messes up, practice empathy first. Try saying,

“I know this is hard. I’m proud of how you’re handling it.”
Then give them space to process before offering advice.

5. The Parent’s Growth Still Matters—A Lot

This might be the most important thing we’ve learned: your energy, habits, and self-growth have more influence than any lecture or life lesson ever will.

When you model self-care, purpose, and emotional awareness—you create a living example of what an empowered adult looks like. And your child will naturally mirror it.

As a parent:
Take time each week to check in with yourself.
Ask:

• How am I feeling lately?

• Am I showing up as the person I want my kids to see?

• What’s one small shift I can make this week to feel more purposeful and present?

Final Thoughts

At Extraordinary Purpose, we believe that young adults don’t need to be “fixed” — they need to be understood, supported, and inspired.

If you’re a parent feeling unsure of how to connect or guide your teen or college-age child right now, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to do it alone.

Working with a life coach for young adults can be the bridge between your hopes for them and their readiness to take ownership of their future.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If your son or daughter could use a safe, empowering space to discover who they are and what they want next—let’s connect.

Learn more about us and our coaching programs: Click here to visit our website

Book a free discovery call: Schedule here

Let’s help your young adult step into confidence, motivation, and purpose—one small win at a time.