Your 20’s are some of the best, scariest, most confusing and exciting times in your life. It’s a time of discovery, of trial and error, of learning, of successes and a lot of failures.
If I could go back and talk to my 20-year-old self, I would give her these 8 pieces of advice.
1. Today is your future.
You’re living it right now, there is no official start date, this is it…so make it epic. Don’t waste a single day.
2. Get rid of your school debt as quick as you can.
Although schools may let you pay it back over the next century, that’s not what you want to do. Become debt free fast. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need to impress people who don’t care about you.
3. Your first job isn’t about the money.
It’s about the experience you’re going to gain which will shape the type of employer and or business owner you’ll become later on. Don’t look down on the joe jobs, they are meant to teach you something. If you pay attention to the lesson it will serve you tenfold later on.
4. You really are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
Do these people have the type of life you aspire to achieve? If not, find people you wish to emulate in life and spend more time with them.
5. Keep learning, read books, take programs, find a mentor, hire a coach.
The more you invest in you, and the earlier you start, the more success you’ll have in life later. You’ll leapfrog the others who are waiting for their future to begin.
6. Your parents and family really do love you.
Even though they don’t always agree with you or give you the easy pass, they have wisdom and experience and want what is best for you. You won’t always recognize that they are trying to help you but you should know, these people love you. They are the constants who will always be there for you when you need help.
7. You’re way more capable than you realize.
Your age does not matter, your character, willingness and drive do. If you are committed and determined to make your life great, it will be. Yes it’s a journey, yes at times it’s hard, and I know you want it all faster, but stay the course and it will all unfold for you…but that means staying the course especially when it’s hard.
8. Success isn’t for wimps, complainers, blamers or cry babies.
You’ve got to take responsibility for your life. After all, it’s yours and you’re living it right now, every day, every decision and choice you make along the way is yours. Take responsibility when you fail and take responsibility for when you succeed.
Feel free to share this with a 20-something that may need to hear this advice.