Source: She Leads Africa
After our 20's social circle becomes wider and we make most of our life decisions like planning a trip, etc. Apart from being known as someone's daughter or son we create and shape our own identity by choosing our career. How to prepare ourselves for our 20s in life?
Most of us make our career decisions in our 20s but they influence the additions of other people's decisions that will create an impact even in our 50s. We had a huge set of friends in our 20s, and only very few people influenced and understood us in life.
We are not sure of how many people will be a permanent part of our lives and we cannot promise the same to anyone in our life but we tend to make major decisions in our life like choosing studies, careers etc, based on people we meet in our 20s.
Our 40s and 50s are influenced by people whom we met in our 20s. You might have heard this quote from Jim Rohn "You are the average of 5 people with whom you spend most of your time"
Some tips by Debotosh Chatterjee are :
If someone has good decision-making skills in their 20s it'd help people to make major life decisions in their 40s and it can be done only if they are independent in life. Try taking a part-time job during college, have a mentor in your field or read biographies of successful people.
For example, if you think of Sundar Pichai analyse what he did in life to achieve his dreams. Getting to know the people you think of as an inspiration will help you to reach your goals better in life. We have abundant energy and positive thoughts in our 20s.
During those times, to make decisions in our life we need to be independent. But mostly we will be dependent on our parents as we have no financial freedom. It is said that if we depend on making life decisions in our 20s, we will be dependent even in our 40s.
Have you heard of the 80/20 principle?
It is said that with 20% effort, we can get 80% output. The first 20 years of our life have a greater impact on the rest of our lives in a good way and a bad way. So, it is important to what we do in our 20s and how we share it for a better future.
Taking a part-time job will give you a sense of self-worth in life. And western countries encourage kids to take up one but it's not the same here so try to explain more and take up jobs in the field of your choice like content writing, editing etc.
There are jobs which can be done by freshers or part-timers identify such jobs, and start freelancing by taking up a job that shoots your passion. Financial freedom helps improve your self-worth and your negotiating skills will be better when choosing a full-time job in the future. Even for investments, financial planners advise us to start our investments in our early 20s.
Those in their 30s or 40s can't travel back to their past to invest. If you are someone in your 20s try investing or saving any money you could. It had been useful in future investments in life, as we will be influenced by the peer group in our 20s. There will be a desire to fit in with the trend, spending on such trendy gadgets, dresses or lifestyles gives a sense of satisfaction but try saving a small amount as an investment.
As investing leads to compounding, it would help later in our life and it would help in learning more about investing in the future. We have been taught about do's and don'ts in life but not about the importance of time in our life.
The modern term of salary is compensation and they compensate for the work we do for them in our time. If we learn to manage time in our 20s we can negotiate better about our compensation at work. How someone channels their energy and uses their time efficiently in their 20s is important.
We will have a list of things to do on getting our first month's salary but Debotosh Chatterjee advises everyone to start an investment with the first salary. Instead of spending on a lot of important things we need not buy things or property just because the people around us are doing so. If there is a need and if you can bear the expense then you can buy what is secured.
Learn To Be a Lifelong Learner
Learn to be a lifelong learner instead of being satisfied with your job. Do what you can do, and develop your skills. There are many apps like Udemy, Skillshare etc to develop your skills. You can follow professionals on LinkedIn and aspire to be like them. You can take a look at their skills, connect with them and get to know about the skills you need to develop yourself.
You can invest in those skills. Apart from the money, you should be ready to develop your skills. Our body and brain will be very active in our 20s. This active state is possible only in our 20s. The dial will be filled with financial independence as well. Is very important that it cannot be returned.
We might hear more later or even look more attractive later in life but the energy will diminish as we age. So the people around you should give you the proper life to do what you want. If the people around you are constantly discouraging you, you can move away from them to do what you want. Don’t compare yourself to doing something just because others love it.
Written By - Madhumitha. R
Edited By- Rumela Gupta
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