When you begin researching methodologies to incorporate into classroom activities and advising sessions in efforts to assist emerging adults to flourish at life, you expect to find commonalities among those people labeled successful in our culture. Because I am also seeking resources that focus on the spiritual side of living well the life God has planned for us, I also see consistencies among the authors I am currently reading. Anyone who has conducted much research on any given topic understands the threads that emerge among resources, and how one can be lead to the same experts from multiple sources; however, on this particular journey, I am fascinated at the times that the commonalities to a flourishing life overlap whether approaching the challenge from a secular or spiritual point of view.

Although not all the pieces of this amazingly challenging puzzle are in place, the straight-edge pieces are coming together to provide a framework for something beneficial to share. Admittedly, I am a frequent referrer to the finished image on the top of the box when attempting a difficult puzzle, and currently, that image is blank; but with perseverance and grit, the random pieces will eventually interlock. So, as these commonalities among flourishing people emerge in the reading, we will connect the pieces together to build that frame and may be surprised at how differently the picture appears versus the societal image of a flourishing and successful life.

One of the many conundrums associated with identifying the characteristics of a flourishing life is that one has to have lived a life for there to be something to measure! To provide emerging adults with wisdom and guidance, we must visit those in more experienced seasons of life who will often emphasize the value of life experience. It’s the same paradox of attempting to be hired for a position fresh out of college when one has no experience, and yet no one is willing to provide the position so they can gain that valuable experience. So, although this is my current dilemma of how to guide this next generation, I am confident that all of us seeking wisdom will find answers.

In a search for wisdom from people who “were getting from life what they had decided they wanted whether in the realm of vocation, relationships, spiritual attainment, or otherwise,” Dr. Henry Cloud gathered research from what he coined “Déjà vu People.” Cloud describes, “My feelings of déjà vu came from my growing sense that certain kinds of people, given certain circumstances, always face and resolve situations in the same way.   People who possessed this one pattern in common were all successful in life.  They moved forward.  They did not stay stuck, repeating the same mistakes over and over again.” In seeking these patterns from flourishing people, Cloud offers nine principles that everyone can work with to achieve great results.

Cloud’s principle number four, Do Something, is one characteristic which I will return to again and again from other authors, therefore, we see one of the pieces of the puzzle frame emerge in the commonality of action. According to Cloud, “Déjà vu people tend to call on themselves as the first source to correct difficult situations.  It does not matter whether they think they are to blame or not.  Even if someone else is at fault, they will ask themselves,’ What can I do to make things better?’ It could be a number of things.  But whatever the answer, they make a move.” So, for emerging adults, I pose this question, “What are you currently doing that is moving you towards becoming a flourishing person both personally and professionally?”

Encouragement is needed for emerging adults to actively engage in their world and to seek opportunities to develop soft and hard skills at all seasons in their life. What are they reading/listening/viewing that will help them grow? Where are they investing in relationships which allow them to continually move forward? Is there an opportunity to volunteer or job shadow with just an intent to learn as much as possible, asking authentic and relevant questions in efforts to demonstrate movement toward a life that is desired? Déjà vu People are people of action, seeking opportunities to learn and grow because they never know when those acquired skills might be needed.

How can we encourage action from those within our sphere of influence? How can we encourage emerging adults to become Déjà vu People?

Cloud’s 9 Things You Simply Must Do to Succeed in Love and Life

Principle #1 – Dig It Up
Principle #2 – Pull the Tooth
Principle #3 – Play the Movie
Principle #4 – Do Something
Principle #5 – Act Like an Ant
Principle #6 – Hate Well
Principle #7 – Don’t Play Fair
Principle #8 – Be Humble
Principle #9 – Upset the Right People