Reflections from My Last Day of My Twenties

This morning I woke up with the sudden realization that this is the last day of my twenties. 

So that happened…

And what a ride it’s been. 🙂

I’m sure I’ll take some more time tomorrow to let it all sink in and reflect on the defining decade of my journey so far (just like I did last year), but right now, I’m just sitting in a tremendous feeling of gratitude and opportunity.

As I’ve mentioned to a lot of people before when I’m asked about my favorite blogs or podcasts, I don’t really consume that much content since shifting into creator mode, but some of my favorite articles to read are the ones where the author shares the top things to do or not do in your twenties (or thirties, etc.).

Side note: If you want to become a creator, there comes a point where you need to turn down the consumption levels slightly to find your own voice and not compare yourself to what’s already out there. 

Anyway, one of the most succinct and powerful posts like this that I read recently came from Sam Ovens.

Love him or hate him, the dude is super smart and knows his shit.

And, if nothing else, I love his systematic approach to everything he does. His advice below is no different.

So, rather than coming up with a list of stuff that’s already out there, I thought I’d share Sam’s list with you today as the sun begins to set on my twenties and the endless potential of my thirties begins to roll in.

Who knows, maybe after some further reflection, I’ll share my own list…

9 Lessons for Your Twenties

1. Where you are in life right now is nobody’s doing but your own. You are solely responsible.
2. Business is all about solving problems. Don’t come up with ideas, look for problems.
3. If you want to start a business, you don’t need to go to university.
4. Starting a business while working a 9-5 job is near impossible. Go all in or get all out.
5. Lions don’t care about the opinions of sheep. Popularity and opinions are false positives/negatives. Ignore them.
6. When you first start in business, cash flow should be your #1 goal. When you have cash flow, start thinking long-term.
7. When you’re lost and confused, focus on the customer and what’s best for them, everything else will follow.
8. Stay lean and frugal: If you buy things you don’t need, soon you will have to sell things you do need. Be an emperor with clothes.
9. Focus is a superpower: Keep the main thing the main thing. If you don’t sacrifice for your goal, your goal will become the sacrifice.

Keep in mind, Sam is a business guy, so a lot of the advice focuses on that area. But most of what he shared can be applied by anyone, even if you’re not still in your twenties.

The bottom line is this…

No matter what stage of life you’re in, learn to take full personal responsibility for your reality, develop your relationships and skills, find ways to add value to others, simplify everything (!), and focus on what’s most important.

Looking back, those are probably the 5 biggest strategies I’ve learned in my twenties.

Armed with just those 5 strategies, there’s no doubt that you can create the life that you want.

And, it’s with those 5 strategies that I close the chapter that was my twenties and look forward excitedly to my new defining decade.

Thirty, let’s do this.