Making Your Twenties Count
There’s thousands of articles about how today’s youth and recent grads are entitled and unmotivated, but if this doesn’t sound like you, here are a few ways to make your twenties count.
Challenge yourself.
Don’t get stuck doing what’s comfortable or easy. Too many people are taking that first job offer, or “sticking it out” in a job they hate, not growing or learning. Whether it’s a job or your boring weekend routine, cruise control is for when your body aches and you start shrinking (old age). Now is the time to push yourself.
“If you live for weekends or vacations, your shit is broken.” — Gary Vaynerchuk
Be social, IRL.
It’s super easy to have your phone in your face in public, whether that be at a restaurant/bar or on the streetcar. There’s tons of other 20-somethings to meet that you can relate too or even marry someday. There’s also so many opportunities to meet someone 10 or 20 years ahead of you in your life journey, possibly someone really inspiring that changes your path for the better.
Have a social impact.
You won’t just wakeup in 15 years and be a philanthropist. Start giving your time, small money and influence (social networks) to something that really matters. Shun the greedy/egocentric millennial stereotype. The world needs all the help it can get, and it’s up to your generation — start early. Contribute to something that’s bigger than you, and will have a lasting impact—you’ll feel great, too.
“The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.” — William James
Start a project.
You don’t need a full savings account to get started on a project of your own. In fact, it’s easier than ever to launch a business, organization, or project. Now is the best time to give your ideas a shot — turn that idea of yours into a YouTube channel, setup an online store for that something you make that everyone says they love, get a few people together and host an event for a cause that’s been bugging you, lookup grants/funding for your startup idea. Show the world that millennials aren’t lazy. Take a risk now, so you won’t regret it later. Leave a legacy.
“What is not started will never get finished.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Get fit for life.
You may have been active in school or have a fast metabolism but healthy eating and exercise are necessary to keep you going strong in your 40's, 50's and beyond. Beleive it or not, it’s significantly easier to lose weight and build muscle now than in your thirties and forties, and as they say, old habbits die hard, so get into a healthy eating and lifestyle routine as soon as you can.
“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” — Fred DeVito
Travel and see something new.
You’ve heard people complaining about limited “vacation days”, or wishing they could take time to travel, or parents or perhaps others regretting the places they never visited before they had kids, before they got promoted, before they got injured or sick, before they took out a mortgage, or instead of ____. Don’t let it happen to you! Now is the time to travel. There is so much to see, so many experiences to try, so much food to taste, so many amazing people to meet that you’ll never get a chance to if you never leave your city.
From a Poverty Exposure Trip in Dominican Republic to an American Road Trip to an Iceland Adventure, I’m super greatful for my experiences so far! I wrote about the Benefits of Traveling for Entrepreneurs here.
Go big or go home.
You have the time and stamina to try own thing, and try again and again. Time is on your side and you don’t have a huge reputation and lifestyle to uphold (which you might if you were a seasoned career person). Don’t forget to make time with family, mentors, and friends during this time too. And it’s okay to take a break and enjoy — just avoid spending more time relaxing than living.
“If you ain’t making waves, you ain’t kickin’ hard enough.”
