Advice For Those in Their 20’s

The third decade of your life, also known as your 20’s, might be the greatest teaching laboratory of our lives. For those who have just graduated college, have already begun work, and those who are well on their way to the big three-oh, there are lessons to be learned at each year along the way. Here’s a good place to start:

1. Today is the first day of the rest of your life – Realize that what you do today will have a big impact on how
your life plays out tomorrow. You’re still young enough to try something new, make some mistakes and learn from them, but be conscious of the fact that you should now be working with the goal of helping your future.

2. Understand the Rule of 5 – The Rule of 5, the idea that you become the average of those you spend the most time with, is something that you should be very conscious of. When you are in your 20’s you are still subjected to large amounts of outside influence that can steer your life in many directions. If the people you surround yourself with are not moving in the direction that you want to go, it might be time to find new friends.

3. Work hard but don’t lose yourself – You’re going to be hustling a lot early in your career and for any job you’re involved in you should give it your best. Just don’t lose sight of the fact that there is a life outside of work. Your company will need you as much as you need them so don’t work your life away. No one will remember that spreadsheet you put together in 30 years.

4. Your network matters (and not just for work) – Your professional relationships will carry you a long way. Use your 20’s to build your network so that you’ll have it to leverage later in life. But make sure you have your friends too. It gets easier and easier to lose touch with those you were once close with as time marches on. Make sure you try your best to keep them around, getting through life takes teamwork. Make sure you have a team to call your own.

5. Practice optimism, it beats the alternative – Watch your actions as they become your habits, watch your habits as they become your character, watch your character for it will become your destiny. Learn to enjoy your life as it is and see your life how you want it to be. Practicing this everyday is training for your mind. A life full of cynicism will erode your happiness.