Level Up in Your 20's.

I remember my 20’s being a mixed bag. On the plus side, I went to University, experienced my first relationships, and travelled abroad alone for the first time.

However, I also struggled with purpose and the direction in which I wanted my life to go. As a result, my studies were disjointed and had no eventual connection to my career path.

I felt anxiety at not knowing my place in the world. I could not achieve my goals as I did not know what they were.

The 7 things below are what my advice would be to any 20 something in today's world.

These are things that the formal education system will not teach you, but I believe incorporating them into your life will set you on the right path and give you a clear advantage over your peers.

1. Define What You Want.

If you don’t know by the time you are 20 which general direction you want your life to take, now is the time to dig into the detail.

Whilst it is true that we all have the capability to reinvent ourselves at any time in our lives, the earlier we set ourselves on the path of our desire, the more likely we will reach the end goal.

Don’t fall into the trap of mindlessly following your peers. You do not want to live your life as a sheep. There is nothing wrong with taking guidance from trusted sources, but ultimately you want to forge your own path.

This subject is so important that you may need to take time out to try new things, experiment, and see what brings you fulfilment.

You might consider taking a year off, going travelling and meeting new people. Inspiration can come from anywhere.

2. Learn to Drive.

I feel this is an underrated topic.

One of the main goals of your 20’s is to begin to establish independence. You are now an adult and you need to establish your own identity and place in the world.

A big way to cut reliance on other people is to learn to drive.

By doing this you are no longer beholden to others and their schedules. You won’t have to ask anyone for lifts or to change their plans to accommodate you.

You will be your own person, capable of going where you want when you want.

Learning to drive will also teach you responsibility. Not only will you have to pass a stringent test, but you will then likely own a car. That car will need maintenance and looking after.

3. Embrace being Different.

Many of us spend most of our childhood and teenage years trying to fit in with everyone else. We don’t want to stand out for fear of being shunned by our peers or being labelled a freak.

The sooner we drop this mindset the better!

Now you are an adult it is time to break from the herd.

Sure, if you want an average life, doing average things with average people go ahead. That’s what following the herd will get you.

But if you want to achieve something and have a happy and productive life then you need to be a leader, not a follower.

You need to be the one that sets the standards, that makes the rules, that stands on their own two feet at the front of the line.

Don’t be afraid to vent your opinions. Talk to others with compassion but be confident in your assertions.

The people you want in your life are the people that will respect your inner confidence and unbreakable spirit. Let the rest go. Hopefully, they will learn this rule for themselves but for now, they are not your responsibility.

4. Time is Precious.

Your 20’s will likely be when you embark on a career. Many people associate their career with their entire identity, but it does not have to be so.

More than ever, people are realising that, in order to be happy, they need a work-life balance.

Whilst you will want to impress your co-workers, you should monitor your work environment.

What is the overtime like? Are you being expected to work too much to the detriment of your health?

Are you being forced into associating with people gossiping or exhibiting toxic behaviour?

Do you feel they are dragging you down? Do you feel respected?

Now is also the time to stop the cycle of late-night partying and then sleeping all day. This will really damage your productivity.

Be careful of Social Media addiction. You have so many important things to do in the world.

5. Exercise.

Now is the time to make good habits a priority. You have the potential to be in the best shape of your life and set yourself up for a lifetime of good health.

The benefits of exercise cannot be overstated. You will improve every area of your life.

6. Stop Caring What Others Think.

Similar to number 3, you should remember that it is ok if some people dislike you.

While we often cannot control the external world, we can control our reactions to it.

We should continue moving forward and not demean ourselves by engaging with idle gossip.

Be very selective as to whom you share your plans and dreams. Some people will take the opportunity to drag you down through jealousy.

Whilst it is a good character trait to be able to accept constructive criticism, it does no one any good to succumb to negativity.

Let your actions do the talking.

7. Save Money Every Week.

It is a sad indictment on our society that we leave school knowing more about the angles of a triangle, than about money management.

As soon as possible we should be taught about money, budgeting, saving and most crucially of all, investing.

Investing is the most straightforward way to become wealthy. The quicker you start investing the better.

To do this successfully, you need to invest for the long term. This requires patience and discipline and consultation with a professional as there is always the risk of losing money.

By developing patience and discipline in this way, you will have two characteristics that will serve you well in every area of life.

Discipline and Patience more than makeup for any perceived lack of talent.

Conclusion.

One of the greatest benefits of being human is that we have the ability to reinvent ourselves, to do something different every minute of every day.

Nonetheless, good habits established early on in life give us the potential to achieve far more for far longer.

Your 20’s are a time when you are likely to be at peak physical and mental health.

Aim big and aim high. If you aim for the stars, even if you fall short, you will still have gone mighty far.