Axiom In Action
Twenty-Five years ago, when Trevor Cavanagh graduated from high school, he officially became an adult in the eyes of the world. Yet, Trevor was unsure of what to do next.
“I had very little ambition, direction and motivation. I had no concept of what it meant to live life independently, and how the decisions I made were directly influencing my future.”
Preferring the beach to the classroom, Trevor made the decision to not go to college. With little experience, Trevor’s options for work were limited.
“Reality struck when my parents asked me to pay rent. I was already paying for my car insurance and gas. I quickly realized that I was not going to be able to afford to live on my own and I began to fear that I would be living with my parents forever. I struggled with how I’d support myself. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was not only lacking money, but also the life skills I needed to navigate my life in the adult world.”
Trevor felt lost, confused, and immature.
“I continually found myself searching for what to do next. No one asked if I was ready, or if I knew how to manage my life and emotions before catapulting me into adulthood. I really had no sense of how unprepared I was for the real world.“
Trevor and his two sons, Jayden and Elias
Rather than go to work full-time at an undesirable job, Trevor joined the Marine Corps in search of a bed, three meals a day, and a sense of purpose. Yet, he soon discovered the military was not the life of independence he desired. Still unsure of what to do next after the Marines, Trevor enrolled in college with an undeclared major. In search of a major, Trevor recognized that he was fascinated by the great diversity of our world and humanity, and was inspired to travel to many countries around the world to learn more about people of different cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
“I simply enjoy studying what it means to be human. I was, and am still intrigued by the very essence of life and what people experience, past and present. Despite what job, title, or even where or when a person lived, I see that all people have certain fundamental needs, but also require certain life skills to maximize their feelings of success and happiness.”
Trevor pursued his interests, earning degrees in human development, family studies, philosophy, education and counseling. He spent the following years as an educator working with people of all ages and demographics in both Colorado and California. Eventually, his own struggles as a teenager led him to direct his energy to assisting young people as they prepared to transition to adulthood. Working as a high school and college instructor, Trevor began to create new and innovative activities that gave students the opportunity to experience these life skills rather than just hear about them.
According to the World Health Organization’s definition “Life skills are abilities that help us to adapt and behave positively so that we can effectively deal with the challenges of everyday life.”
Trevor says “Life skills should not be taught by lectures and using textbooks. The most effective way to teach life skills is by allowing young people to actively experience using the skills.”
Now, over 20 years after entering adulthood, Trevor serves young people through the experiential learning company Axiom in Action, that is designed to assist in the examination of one’s own life, and building the life skills needed to navigate the world as an independent adult. He believes in setting an example by conversing and showing young people effective strategies that will help them to have a clearer sense of self so they can better manage their goals and corresponding responsibilities.
Axiom in Action offers a curriculum in life skills that every teen should know before graduating to adulthood. By allowing youth to practice these essential skills, and to learn from their own mistakes, we help them to clarify and polish their own skills prior to entering adulthood.
Axiom in Action offers an on-going series of seminars specifically designed to address the important life skills of Communication, Problem-Solving, Decision-Making, Critical and Creative Thinking, Time Management, and Self-Awareness. In addition to these life skills, Axiom in Action offers techniques for coping with stress and strong emotions, and teaches empathy, gratitude, and optimism. Teamwork is essential in learning all these skills and therefore is a component of every seminar. Since people mostly spend their time at work, Axiom in Action also offers mini-seminars and workshops on post-secondary school options and career development.
For more information about Axiom in Action and the seminars and workshops they offer, visit their website at www.AxiomInAction.com or email info@axiominaction.com .
