The Essential Guide for Success in Your 20s, 30s, and 40s

[Average read time: 4 minutes]

The Twenties

The twenties are amazing and incredibly frustrating at the same time.

Many things happened in my twenties. I graduated from college. I was supposed to have learned plenty of useful information, but I now realize, the most important thing I learned, was how to think critically and creatively.

Most of what you need to be successful in your career or business, happens after you receive that fancy diploma. Invest in your education through online courses, seminars, mentors, or simply, try something you’ve never done before.

I thought I had to know exactly what I wanted out of life and have everything mapped out. That’s bullshit. Life happens, your passions evolve, and sometimes, you pivot into an entirely new direction. Give yourself permission to explore.

The belief that I had to put in extra hours at work, always going above and beyond, would be the secret formula to success. Maybe, for some people. I’m now divorced and don’t spend as much time with my kids as I’d like. Is that success?

You can always make more money. Time can never be replaced. Every minute you don’t spend with your loved ones, is gone forever…

I bounced from idea to idea. In my early 20s, I started a tax preparation and notary business. A year later, I created my first website – WestCoastEvo.com, which sold aftermarket performance parts for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Next, I ventured into a short-stint in real estate brokerage, all while having a full-time career as a Financial Analyst.

The best advice I can give you is find a few things that you love doing. I’m talking about doing over and over again, for years. Do that thing. Don’t focus on the money or results. Just become an expert in one or two things and you’ll be fine. Plus, when you do something you love, money seems to find a way to you.

Fear is the ultimate obstacle to success. Click To Tweet

This is a perfect time to learn how to fail. There is nothing that holds people back more, than the fear of failing in front of people they know.

The moment you begin to not give a shit about what people think, you will experience a sense of relief, and at that moment, there is no limit to what you can accomplish.

The Thirties

My thirties taught me to have balance.

Everything matters.

Nothing matters.

You only live once. Do what you love. Spend time with the people you care about. Travel the world.Click To Tweet

In my twenties, I could get away with eating poorly, not exercising, and generally, doing stupid shit.

All those decisions begin to creep up on you in your thirties. Respect your body and mind.

Hopefully, you know what you want to do the rest of your life. I doubt it’s sitting in a cubicle for 40 years, but if that’s your thing, kudos.

This is when most people are getting married, buying a house, and generally, accumulating clutter in their lives. No, I’m not saying a spouse is clutter…most of the time.

It probably helps that I’m single, but the minimalist lifestyle works. It allows me to have extreme flexibility and live a less stressed life.

Focus on the people that add value to your life, add value to everyone in your life, do what you love, and don’t make your life unnecessarily complicated.

One last thing…

Did you know the average millionaire has 7 sources of income?

If this is your goal, once you find the thing you love in your 20s, have complete focus on that in your 30s, and then you can fine-tune the money stuff.

You have bills to pay, right? Yep! Me too. It sucks. That means you have a job. No matter how much overtime you work, that job counts as one income source. If that’s your only source of money, and you lose that job, your income just went to zero. Not good.

But let’s say you love writing and you’re good at it. Cool!

You have a day job – income source #1.

You start a blog and generate ad revenue – income source #2.

Offer writing services (resumes, write ad copy, etc) – income source #3.

Self-publish a book and earn royalties – income source #4.

Create a report with your expertise and sell it online – income source #5.

Offer editing services to other writers – income source #6.

Consult/coach others about what you’ve learned – income source #7.

It’s not a bad idea to diversify your life. Once you reach a certain level of comfort in your business, you can venture into other areas that you enjoy.

Many people use real estate, maybe a rental house, as a source of additional income.

I prefer stocks and mutual funds. Some years, the stock market is up, other years it’s down. But, long-term, the stock market averages 5%-10% return per year.

If you’re crafty, you can make your hand-made product and sell it on Amazon, Etsy, etc.

The point is, regardless of what it is that you enjoy doing, there’s a way to create a business around it.

Remember, the average millionaire has 7 sources of income.

The Forties

I’ll let you know in 9 years…

RELATED ARTICLES:

I Threw Out Everything I Owned

Be So Good They Can’t Ignore You

Leave a comment