The 15 Worst Mistakes You Can Make In Your 20s
The 15 Worst Mistakes You Can Make In Your 20s
- You Think Education Is Enough
High intelligence, natural talent and degrees from elite universities are all good things to have, but they do not guarantee that you will land a great job – and they mean nothing when not paired with hard work. - You Neglect Your Health.
You’ll learn pretty quickly you can’t party like you did in college. And the more years out of school you get, the more excessive drinking,smoking and even an unhealthy diet go from acceptable behavior to dangerous habits - You Spend Money Frivolously.
Your retirement may seem far off, but you’re doing yourself a major disservice if you don’t recognize the importance of saving as soon as possible. You may be surprised by the power of compound interest. - You equate Money With Happiness.
Prestige and a fat paycheck can certainly make you happier, but there’s plenty more to success than just that. You’re setting yourself up for years of regret if you pursue a paycheck rather than your passion. - You Give Up.
Ending a serious relationship or getting fired from a job can seem devastating when they happen to you for the first time. Rather than aiming for a lower target, use failures as opportunities to learn and improve yourself. - You Let Others Define You.
When you’re starting out in your career and unsure of which direction you want to head in, You can be susceptible to letting others choose your path for you. Instead, stick to your convictions. - You are Impatient.
You don’t need to be a married homeowner with a 10-year career plan by the time you’re 30. An anxiety-inducing mindset can be counter productive, so be patient and stay focused on the present. - You Try to Please Everyone.
It’s natural to want to be on friendly terms with your boss, clients and all your coworkers. But rather than feeling crushed when you realize some of them simply don’t like you, accept it and move on. - You Expect all Friendships to Last.
When your friends aren’t all living in the same town, you’ll realize which ones mean the most to you and worth the effort of maintaining a relationship with. It’s alright to let some friendships fade. - You Move to Solve Problems.
Travelling and living somewhere new can be culturally enriching and your 20s are a perfect time to do both. But do not think that moving to the opposite coast means you’ll suddenly find meaning and direction. - You Live in a Bubble.
It’s important to build relationships with colleagues and others in your industry, but if you stay within the confines of a particular world, you can start to get a myopic perspective. Make an effort to branch out. - You get Caught up in Absolutes.
You don’t have to choose between a career path that exclusively benefits you or one that benefits others. Realize that self-interest does not have to mean the opposite of doing good for the world. - You Expect to Find a “Soul Mate”.
It’s easy to get caught up in the fantasy of finding someone where everything just clicks and the relationship is effortless. But in real life, the most meaningful, long term relationships require work and dedication. - You Try Planning Years Ahead.
You don’t know where you’ll end up, so try to keep that anxiety in check and limit being yourself crazy with five year plans and focus on immediate goals. - You Think You’re the Only One.
It will always feel like your friends and colleagues are more successful and confident. But every 20-something is still figuring things out – and you’ll continue that process the rest of your life.
