Chris’s parents were proud of him when he graduated from college. But it’s been six months and Chris hasn’t gotten a job yet. In fact, he hasn’t looked seriously. He’s still living at home, his parents are getting edgy and things are tense. His dad says Chris is being lazy and irresponsible.

Chris wants his dad to chill. He’s only young once and needs some space. During a recent argument, Chris told him, "I’m not you, Dad. I have my own way of doing things." His mom is sympathetic, saying he’s just a late bloomer who’ll find himself eventually.

There are many youngsters like Chris who are having trouble getting started with earning a living and becoming self-reliant. Some, like Peter Pan, don’t want to grow up. Others are victims of magical thinking. They believe when the time is right, everything will fall into place. They wait for opportunity to come knocking or to feel inspired or excited about their next step.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. The hardest and most important part of becoming an adult is getting started. What’s crucial is to create momentum because things happen and opportunities appear most often when we are moving, not when we’re standing still. Momentum is vital. Basic physics: It’s easier to alter the course of a moving object than to start movement initially. In the end, it’s not about finding yourself; it’s about making yourself.

It’s not easy, but it gets easier, and you need to get started.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.