The Social Seed Podcast

Knowing what life direction to move towards after high school can evoke so many different feelings depending on the individual. You may find yourself happy because you know which school you’re going to and the focus of the studies you want to pursue. You may be eager to graduate and ready to take a gap year. You may not have given it any thought at all; it’s just another day to you. Regardless of which category you fall into, life will continue moving forward, days will keep passing by. However, those days can start to fly by quickly. I remember 28 years ago when I graduated from high school. It seems incredible to me that it took so long to go through school and yet the last 28 years have flown by. This is why I wanted to share this article today, to provide young people with insight into themselves and some options to consider.

The dreaded question

So how do you know how to make such an important decision at the age of 18 that is going to affect the rest of your life? The answer is: you don’t. That’s the beauty of it. Take a little sigh of relief. You don’t need to know the definite answer, but it’s great if you do! There are steps, though, that you can take to help you figure it out and get a good start.

Think

First, you need time to think about yourself—who you are, what you’re good at, what you like to do, and most importantly, what makes you happy.

Visualize

Next, you need to visualize. Figure out how you can take the person you are and the things that make you happy and use them in a real-world environment. This step takes time. The answer may not come to you at first, and that’s okay. I would venture to say that many people, including myself, do not know what they want to do for the rest of their lives at this moment in time.

Focus

Eventually, you will have to choose a focus. When you choose this focus, remember and deeply set in your mind the reasons why you’re choosing this direction.

Desire

This will give you desire, the mental stimulus that will provide you with the drive and motivation to keep going.

Some options

So, what are some options? You could attend college. I personally did not attend college the year after high school. To tell you the truth, I really didn’t have a plan or desire to go to college. So, I was taking a “gap year”; that gap year turned into 2 years, and I started thinking about my future. I knew my parents couldn’t afford college. I was not winning or being awarded any scholarship, I really didn’t like school, so my options were limited. I could have applied for a factory job and probably received decent pay with benefits, but that would not make me happy. Then I thought about the military. I always thought the Marines or Army were “cool,” but I know they can see some heavy combat, and I didn’t want PTSD. I didn’t have a desire to fly planes for the Air Force, even though there are many other jobs. The Coast Guard never appealed to me. So, I joined the Navy. My father was previously in the Navy, so it just seemed right.

One of my best life decisions

I will start off by saying that joining the Navy was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Yes, going through MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station), boot camp, and A and C schools was a challenge, but it was all part of the process of building my character. Let me share with you my time in the Navy.

Initially, it may feel like you are not making much money. You will start off at a low rank and be assigned basic tasks. Throughout this period, you will meet a multitude of incredible and fun individuals who are in the same situation. As time progresses, you will receive pay raises based on your length of service, meaning the longer you remain, the greater your compensation will be.

There are assessments linked to your rank and NEC (Navy Enlisted Classification), so it is crucial to study diligently. By advancing in rank through these tests, you can secure a higher income, become well-versed in your duties, and eventually avoid performing basic tasks. In essence, your Navy experience improves the longer you serve.

Traveling the world

One of the biggest and best benefits for me was the opportunity to travel. I was stationed in Chicago and Virginia Beach. In Chicago, I would take the bus into the city and explore iconic landmarks like the Sears Tower, Navy Pier, and many other exciting places. However, I spent the majority of my time in Virginia Beach, where I frequented the vibrant boardwalk known as the “Stripe.” Along the beach, I enjoyed visiting various restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. There was always live music playing somewhere nearby. Additionally, I would go hiking or mountain biking in one of the numerous parks in the area. My favorite spot for mountain biking was “First Landing State Park,” where the dunes provided a thrilling terrain to ride on.

Anchors away

I also went on two six-month cruises in the Mediterranean. I have visited numerous places and experienced a wide array of diverse and fascinating countries, creating countless joyful memories. During my travels to Spain, Italy, Israel, Bahrain, Greece, and France, our ship arranged affordable guided tours for us. These outings allowed us to witness spectacular sights, including the mesmerizing waterfalls in Croatia, the magnificent city of Rome, and the awe-inspiring view of the gorge in Ronda, Spain. It was truly an enjoyable experience.

Everything comes with a price

Although all this comes at a price, you will be away from your family. You’ll be out to sea when you are performing work-ups (military jargon for getting the ship ready to go overseas). You’ll also have to stand watches along with your normal day job every so often. All of the information that I just shared will help you grow as a person, giving you the confidence and experience you need as an adult. So, when the time comes after your first tour, you can decide if you want to get out of the Navy and use your GI Bill to go to college and pursue a career in your interest, or stay in and build a career in the Navy.

The Navy provided me with a strong life foundation

As I mentioned at the beginning, I had a great time in the Navy. I made a lot of sincere friends that I still know today, and it gave me direction in life and brought to life some of my inner skills and talents that I was not aware I possessed. It also gave me the confidence that when I got out I could accomplish anything I put my mind to. I eventually did use my GI Bill enlistment money and the bonus they gave me to go to college. Whatever you choose, good luck! Just remember, everything that happens to you, good or bad, will build your character, and you will become the person you are destined to be! Just stay persistent in your goals and be happy!

Today’s Words of Wisdom are by Napoleon Hill from his book “Law of Success“. He writes about a key trait that will help every individual throughout life -persistence. He wrote:

“THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR PERSISTENCE! It cannot be supplanted by any other quality! Remember this, and it will hearten you, in the beginning, when the going may seem difficult and slow. Those who have cultivated the HABIT of persistence seem to enjoy insurance against failure. No matter how many times they are defeated, they finally arrive up toward the top of the ladder. Sometimes it appears that there is a hidden Guide whose duty is to test men through all sorts of discouraging experiences. Those who pick themselves up after defeat and keep on trying, arrive; and the world cries, “Bravo! I knew you could do it!”

See you next week

I hope you like today’s inspiration. For daily motivation, join The Social Seed Podcast Facebook page. Also,

“don’t just think of an idea, put it into action and become the person you are destined to be!”
-Tom Soule

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