June 21st, 2010 @ 1:44 am by: Marc
18 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I Was 18
This morning I was reading a book
He told me he was getting ready to graduate from high school in a couple of weeks and then immediately starting his college career in the fall. “But I have no clue what I want to do with my life,” he said. “Right now I’m just going with the flow.”
And then, with eager, honest eyes, he began asking me one question after the next:
- “What do you do for a living?”
- “When and how did you decide what you wanted to do?”
- “Why did you do this? Why didn’t you do that?”
- “Is there anything you wish you had done differently?”
- Etc, etc, etc…
I answered his questions as best as I could, and tried to give decent advice with the time I had. And after a half-hour conversation, he thanked me and we parted ways.
But on the walk home I realized the conversation I had with him was actually quite nostalgic for me. He reminded me of me ten years ago. So I started thinking about his questions again, and I began imagining all of the things I wish someone had told me when I was 18.
Then I took it a step further and thought about all the things I would love to tell myself if I could travel back in time to give my 18-year-old self some advice about life.
So after a few cups of coffee and a couple hours of deliberation, here are 18 things I wish someone told me when I was 18:
- Commit yourself to making lots of mistakes. – Mistakes teach you important lessons. The biggest mistake you can make is doing nothing because you’re too scared to make a mistake. So don’t hesitate – don’t doubt yourself. In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance; it’s about taking a chance. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Most of the time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win. Remember, if you never act, you will never know for sure, and you will be left standing in the same spot forever.
- Find hard work you love doing. – If I could offer my 18-year-old self some real career advice, I’d tell myself not to base my career choice on other people’s ideas, goals and recommendations. I’d tell myself not to pick a major because it’s popular, or statistically creates graduates who make the most money. I’d tell myself that the right career choice is based on one key point: Finding hard work you love doing. As long as you remain true to yourself, and follow your own interests and values, you can find success through passion. Perhaps more importantly, you won’t wake up several years later working in a career field you despise, wondering “How the heck am I going to do this for the next 30 years?” So if you catch yourself working hard and loving every minute of it, don’t stop. You’re on to something big. Because hard work ain’t hard when you concentrate on your passions.
- Invest time, energy and money in yourself every day. – When you invest in yourself, you can never lose, and over time you will change the trajectory of your life. You are simply the product of what you know. The more time, energy and money you spend acquiring pertinent knowledge, the more control you have over your life.
- Explore new ideas and opportunities often. – Your natural human fears of failure and embarrassment will sometimes stop you from trying new things. But you must rise above these fears, for your life’s story is simply the culmination many small, unique experiences. And the more unique experiences you have, the more interesting your story gets. So seek as many new life experiences as possible and be sure to share them with the people you care about. Not doing so is not living.
- When sharpening your career skills, focus more on less. – Think in terms of Karate: A black belt seems far more impressive than a brown belt. But does a brown belt really seem any more impressive than a red belt? Probably not to most people. Remember that society elevates experts high onto a pedestal. Hard work matters, but not if it’s scattered in diverse directions. So narrow your focus on learning fewer career related skills and master them all.
- People are not mind readers. Tell them what you’re thinking. – People will never know how you feel unless you tell them. Your boss? Yeah, he doesn’t know you’re hoping for a promotion because you haven’t told him yet. That cute girl you haven’t talked to because you’re too shy? Yeah, you guessed it; she hasn’t given you the time of day simply because you haven’t given her the time of day either. In life, you have to communicate with others. And often, you have to open your vocal cords and speak the first words. You have to tell people what you’re thinking. It’s as simple as that.
- Make swift decisions and take immediate action. – Either you’re going to take action and seize new opportunities, or someone else will first. You can’t change anything or make any sort of progress by sitting back and thinking about it. Remember, there’s a huge difference between knowing how to do something and actually doing it. Knowledge is basically useless without action.
- Accept and embrace change. – However good or bad a situation is now, it will change. That’s the one thing you can count on. So embrace change, and realize that change happens for a reason. It won’t always be easy or obvious at first, but in the end it will be worth it.
- Don’t worry too much about what other people think about you. – For the most part, what other people think and say about you doesn’t matter. When I was 18, I let the opinions of my high school and early college peers influence my decisions. And, at times, they steered me away from ideas and goals I strongly believed in. I realize now, ten years later, that this was a foolish way to live, especially when I consider that nearly all of these people whose opinions I cared so much about are no longer a part of my life. Unless you’re trying to make a great first impression (job interview, first date, etc.), don’t let the opinions of others stand in your way. What they think and say about you isn’t important. What is important is how you feel about yourself.
- Always be honest with yourself and others. – Living a life of honesty creates peace of mind, and peace of mind is priceless. Period.
- Talk to lots of people in college and early on in your career. – Bosses. Colleagues. Professors. Classmates. Social club members. Other students outside of your major or social circle. Teaching assistants. Career advisors. College deans. Friends of friends. Everyone! Why? Professional networking. I have worked for three employers since I graduated from college (I left my first two employers by choice on good terms), but I only interviewed with the first employer. The other two employers offered me a job before I even had a formal interview, based strictly on the recommendation of a hiring manager (someone I had networked with over the years). When employers look to fill a position, the first thing they do is ask the people they know and trust if they know someone who would do well in the position. If you start building your professional network early, you’ll be set. Over time, you’ll continue talking to new people you meet through your current network and your network’s reach and the associated opportunities will continue to snowball for the duration of your career.
- Sit alone in silence for at least ten minutes every day. – Use this time to think, plan, reflect, and dream. Creative and productive thinking flourish in solitude and silence. With quiet, you can hear your thoughts, you can reach deep within yourself, and you can focus on mapping out the next logical, productive step in your life.
- Ask lots of questions. – The greatest ‘adventure’ is the ability to inquire, to ask questions. Sometimes in the process of inquiry, the search is more significant than the answers. Answers come from other people, from the universe of knowledge and history, and from the intuition and deep wisdom inside yourself. These answers will never surface if you never ask the right questions. Thus, the simple act of asking the right questions is the answer.
- Exploit the resources you do have access to. – The average person is usually astonished when they see a physically handicap person show intense signs of emotional happiness. How could someone in such a restricted physical state be so happy? The answer rests in how they use the resources they do have. Stevie Wonder couldn’t see, so he exploited his sense of hearing into a passion for music, and he now has 25 Grammy Awards to prove it.
- Live below your means. – Live a comfortable life, not a wasteful one. Do not spend to impress others. Do not live life trying to fool yourself into thinking wealth is measured in material objects. Manage your money wisely so your money does not manage you. Always live well below your means.
- Be respectful of others and make them feel good. – In life and business, it’s not so much what you say that counts, it’ how you make people feel. So respect your elders, minors, and everyone in between. There are no boundaries or classes that define a group of people that deserve to be respected. Treat everyone with the same level of respect you would give to your grandfather and the same level of patience you would have with your baby brother. Supporting, guiding, and making contributions to other people is one of life’s greatest rewards. In order to get, you have to give.
- Excel at what you do. – There’s no point in doing something if you aren’t going to do it right. Excel at your work and excel at your hobbies. Develop a reputation for yourself, a reputation for consistent excellence.
- Be who you were born to be. – You must follow your heart, and be who you were born to be. Some of us were born to be musicians – to communicate intricate thoughts and rousing feelings with the strings of a guitar. Some of us were born to be poets – to touch people’s hearts with exquisite prose. Some of us were born to be entrepreneurs – to create growth and opportunity where others saw rubbish. And still, some of us were born to be or do whatever it is, specifically, that moves you. Regardless of what you decide to do in your lifetime, you better feel it in every fiber of your being. You better be born to do it! Don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams and desires.
But above all, laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t change. Life is short, yet amazing. Enjoy the ride.
Photo by: Taylor McBride
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80 Comments
June 21st, 2010 at 2:15 am
Great post. Reading something like this after completing my first year of college helps put things in perspective. I often worry about the idea of looking back and thinking to myself that I failed to do the things you mentioned.
Thanks for the genuine advice.
June 21st, 2010 at 2:58 am
Excellent post and excellent blog!!
keep up the good work.
June 21st, 2010 at 2:59 am
Absolutely loved this post. As a 19-year-old blogger, I can attest to everything said here.
I hope this changes the lives of people everywhere, teenagers and adults, alike.
June 21st, 2010 at 3:10 am
It’s one of the best articles I have read recently. In addition, it says the whole truth about real life experiences.
As I am also 18 years old, I think that the best point here is that you should not rely on other opinions or what they say you need to do. If they do not think you are capable of doing something, it’s another motivator to try and prove yourself to them because otherwise as you mentioned you can go on different and generally worse way.
June 21st, 2010 at 3:21 am
Wonderful post Marc.
I am running a life-lessons series in which some of my personal development blogger friends are participating and I’d love to link-back to your post and include it in the series.
The details are here http://www.abubakarjamil.com/known-earlier-life/
Kindly do lemme know your interest.
June 21st, 2010 at 3:46 am
i like the post’s title so much , also the lessons are very useful, i should have been told that too
June 21st, 2010 at 6:44 am
Excellent article! I recently learned of your site from a friend, and have been totally amazed at the beauty of your work. And since then I read all your articles. Keep up a good work. Regards from Serbia!
June 21st, 2010 at 6:45 am
Meeee toooo. Now that I think about it, some of those things have been told to me early on, by people who I respect a lot and are now my mentors.
It’s tricky because when you’re 18, you often don’t take lessons from anybody. You sort of need to discover things on your own. But other people can also help you here, by creating the opportunities for you to learn.
June 21st, 2010 at 7:43 am
I’m 18 now, but I started my college career when I was 17. A lot of the times I avoided speaking to people and asking question only because I was scared, so my first year was definitely difficult. But this article really inspired me to step out of my bubble and interact with people. I’m so thankful I stumbled upon this.
Thanks so much.
June 21st, 2010 at 10:57 am
Is this an instruction to how to become Mother Teresa?
I think some of the advice is perfect, and some might not fit everyone. But I’ll have to think more about it.
June 21st, 2010 at 11:17 am
I am so inspired by this post. In fact I’m going to compose one called:
9 Things I wish I could say to my ‘20 Something’ Self and 1 more. It will be about being an OK mum and I will invite others to add a 10th ‘Thing’.
I’ll invite my readers to read this post, and join this site, with your Link.
I love this site and learn so much. Thank you.
June 21st, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Hi Marc, wonder post, always!
I especially love your “commit to making mistakes” and asking alot of questions tip. I know many adults who could use those tips
June 21st, 2010 at 12:30 pm
@All:
Thanks so much for the kind remarks and added insight. This article is actually one of my personal favorites that I’ve written recently. The 18 year old kid I discuss at the beginning really inspired me. He made me stop, think, and realize how many significant lessons I’ve learned over the last 10 years. It’s really an interesting thing to ponder.
Hope you all have a fun, productive week!
June 21st, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Thank you for a great article, in my opinion one of your best! It couldn’t have come at a better time for me.
June 21st, 2010 at 1:32 pm
As a kid who’s not even 18 yet, I thank you.
Honestly, I don’t think the power of networking is stressed enough to college kids - it, not your major, is the number one thing that governs whether you’ll be employed or not post-graduation (for the vast majority of students). Just like how high schools don’t teach personal finance, it boggles my mind that nobody teaches people how to network in school. It’s so important that you’d figure somebody would try doing it in our education system, no?
June 21st, 2010 at 3:07 pm
I totally enjoyed reading it, insightful & profound. Great life lessons stated here. Thanks!!
June 21st, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Hi Marc.
#6 sure makes sense. People rarely know what I’m thinking until I point it out. I used to have the general feeling that people knew what was on my mind but would later find out that they thought the opposite or had no clue. Because of this knowledge, I am much more likely to point out what I am thinking if it has relevance to others.
Asking lots of question is one I can also vouch for. I don’t ask enough questions. The few times that I do, I always get more out of it than I expected. Usually, it is because I find out I was way off in some regard, and then am much more better off with the new information.
June 21st, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Thanks Marc for the article. I like number 9 a lot: “Don’t worry too much about what other people think about you.” We have to realize that we can’t make everyone like us. Thanks for sharing this list of wisdom.
June 21st, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Great post! Especially agree with points 1 and 3.
June 21st, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Cheers for this. Comes at just the right moment for me.
June 21st, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Brilliant…You nailed it seriously …what an article!!
I am 18 years old and i am so grateful that i found this site and read this article. Seriously, you inspired me, so I also thank that kid that inspired you to write this…. God bless you.
June 21st, 2010 at 9:05 pm
I would have loved to receive this info at 18 - but I probably would have been too “smart” back then to listen! Amazing how “dumb” I’ve become 20 years later to actually need this advice.
The best tip I can give an 18-year-old is to repeat #15: Live Below Your Means. You have no idea how much this will impact every part of your life in the future.
When you live below your means possibilities are always in front of you and you can take the ones you want. When you live above your means the best life you can have is the one you are currently in, and there is no guarantee it will last if the market changes, you lose your job, you have children, get sick, or your partner decides to leave. You know, regular life.
We’re getting ready to travel the world in less than 100 days, and it never could have happened with debt and no savings. All the other lessons can be learned as you age, but once you get consumer debt it is really tough to break free. So don’t do it!
June 21st, 2010 at 9:52 pm
These are wonderful pieces of advice. Unfortunately, most young people don’t listen even if the information is presented to them. But that’s okay. True learning comes from experiencing rather than being told.
Thanks for helping me to reflect on all that I’ve learned since age 18.
June 21st, 2010 at 10:37 pm
I know this is not all that there is to learn in life, but if I had learned, appreciated, and internalized them when I was 18, I could have lived a better life.
Now, I am 63 I have learned a lot of things that have made me more comfortable living my life. I often say to myself why I did not learn all these when I was younger, and not when I am in the last chapters of my life.
So, if I was not able to live them in my youth, I have now considered it my mission to share my experiences and the resulting wisdoms with people through blogging.
And thanks to the wisdoms you share in this blog. Although I have learned a lot through the passing years, there are still a lot that I should learn. And you are one of the contributors to this learning.
June 21st, 2010 at 11:37 pm
I was just going to take a glance at your blog before dinner time, but when I saw the title, you had me.
I turned 18 one month ago and since then I have been wondering, “what the hell am I going to do with my life?” Just today some family friends were inquiring into what I wanted to do in my future and I had no idea. I’ve been thrust into the adult world, even if it is a mere legality (I still have some serious growing up to do, but that goes without saying), and I have no idea what to do.
So I’ve been doing what the 18 year old did with you, ask adults, any adult, really, how they got to where they were, and if they had good advice. I hadn’t gotten anything substantive until now, so thank you for that.
Because I’ve been looking for it everywhere, and you just offered it to me on a silver platter. I’ve written it all down, and I intend do something substantial with it.
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:25 am
I think this is a fantastic article, you’re quite the writer. I stumbled upon this through a google search and thought I would take the time to read it. A little curiousity never hurt anyone.
As a nineteen year old, in first-year university, in Australia, I’m pretty well aquaunted with life. Haha. No, I’m just a spring chicken. But, there are two points that personally have helped me in the little time I have lived in the ‘real-world’:
1- Your fear makes you foolish:
You’ve only got one shot to live and there are so many good opportunities out there. So, why don’t you change? You don’t have to live in this comfort zone, move beyond it! Create a life, don’t step into one.
2-Remember what you live for:
No, you don’t live for your pay cheque, or that t.v. show that is on later tonight. You live for the people around you.They are what drive and create you, your interactions with people; with others; loved ones beyond yourself. Think about all the happy times you’ve had so far, when are they? are you alone? No, they are with people!
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:50 am
This list is ageless… I don’t think that you have to be 18 to learn and take from this. Thanks for sharing!
June 22nd, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Awesome read!
Thanks a lot for the advice.
June 23rd, 2010 at 4:44 am
Hey Marc,
Great Post. You’re dead on about all of those things. And while I enjoy each and every one in them, I think number 1 is my favorite.
Life is about doing and trying and then doing it all over again. When you ask people what they regret more: the things they have done or the things they haven’t done, their answer is always the things they haven’t done.
Making mistakes can be painful, but they are always worth it in the end. Plus, they usually make for the best stories too
June 23rd, 2010 at 5:56 am
Very good post! Very inspiring as well. I wish someone told me all this when I was 18. But I know it now and I will take care to share my wisdom with those who are less experienced.
There is one more thing I wish someone told me when I was younger: that I was beautiful…
June 24th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Thank you for #1. I think it’s exactly what I need to hear. I’m a musician, and my band’s first show is coming up soon. I’ve been trying to get this going for a year. I’m so nervous, and worried that we aren’t ready, or that the audience won’t like us, or that my gear is going to break down in the middle of the show… So many What Ifs running through my mind.
Your #1 doesn’t really relieve any of that, but at least I recognize that it’s normal, and I have to commit to just biting the bullet and doing it, whether it all goes wrong or not. If it doesn’t work out, what’s the worst that could happen? Musically, I’d still be where I am now. If it does work out, it could be great.
June 26th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Thank you. I’m 18 too and I found this very inspiring. Yet, I fear that sometimes I don’t know who am I supposed to be… I mean, I don’t think I know yet what motivates me the most or what my passions are. It is very frustrating.
Anyways, thank you for some really interesting points.
June 26th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
I’m 19, and starting my third year in college this fall. I’ve been trying to do these things all my life - but I needed the reminder. Thanks!
June 27th, 2010 at 9:25 am
When I come across a nice list like that Marc I always wonder; why isn’t self-improvement and health living a part of the school curriculum? It is such an important subject going forward into the world from high school. My tip for the young would be to read volumes on life and living, in books, and oh yes, on the internet.
June 27th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
After completing three decades of my life time, I still feel I do not belong to where I am. Now this post refreshed all my old memories. I can attest each and every point mentioned here. I had committed the same mistakes and now I feel I am wasting the purpose of my life.
I wish I should be 18 while reading this blog. Still I feel re-energized after reading this and I am trying to find out how can I utilize the rest of my life…
Thanks friend…
June 29th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Marc all of these absolutely rock and make sense. Let me add, ‘Don’t take yourself so seriously’ and ‘What you worry about rarely happens’. Still life is about learning and us older folks would always say, ‘If I had a £ for every time I heard someone say, ‘If I knew then what I know now’, I’d be a millionaire. That kind of wisdom is priceless and called life and it takes time and experiences to know and believe it.
June 29th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Great article , really helpful and inspiring.
Regards from Iran .
June 30th, 2010 at 6:12 am
This is a fantastic article.
I am very happy that I stumbled across it.
Thanks.
July 1st, 2010 at 11:24 pm
I like your style of writing. I’m usually not a huge “self-help” type of reader, but this article managed to put a smile on my face. Thanks
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:26 am
Great post, I really enjoyed reading it. Thanks
I have to keep reminding myself about #9
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:30 am
Thanks for the reminder, great motivational article!
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:30 am
Good stuff!
/@dennisphang
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:47 am
Thank you! Inspiring. /Sara
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:11 am
Beautiful post. Thanks for the inspiration!
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:28 am
Beautiful! A really inspiring and up-lifting read. Thank you so much for this!
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:29 am
What a great read!
I read an article about how to make a good article/headline a couple of days ago at smashingmagazine.com and this here made it all right. Addicting words - you just have to know whats the next sentence.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts,
from germany,
Felix
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:41 am
This is, by far the best article I’ve read in months. Great.
P.S. I’m only 19 now, but everything makes perfect sense …
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:04 am
That is brilliant! I wish I was told those things too but I am definitely heading down the right track. This has inspired me even more
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:41 am
Beautiful! Exactly what I had need to read today.
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:17 am
Awesome article.. have bookmarked it so that i can read whenever I be be upset..
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
that’s some sound advice!
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:50 pm
I’m 25 and have been feeling pretty shitty about life, friends, etc. lately. I read this blog this morning and it made me feel a little better about it all.
Thank you!
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Great Article and nice career motivator… I’m starting to think of it now…Keep up the good work & God Bless…=D
July 2nd, 2010 at 2:00 pm
… and trust me on the sunscreen thing.
Great article. I’m forwarding to my 19-year-old nephews (and re-reading as a 40-year old). Thanks!
July 2nd, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Do you have such list for age of 40!
I need it.
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Excellent post, thanks for doing this! It would be great if something like this could turn into a meme… imagine getting 18 great tips like these from hundreds or thousands of other people.
July 3rd, 2010 at 1:03 pm
What excellent, intuitive advice. Easy to say - maybe less hard to do. I have sent this to my two teenagers. I hope they digest it and take it on board. If more people followed these points they would happier. ‘To dream of the person you want to be is to waste the person you are’. I think of this every day.
July 4th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Thanks for the tips. I think these will go a long way, consider I’m still only 19
I especially like #15, I look around at people my own age and they are already 20,30,40 thousand dollars in debt. I just could imagine doing that.
Thanks.
July 5th, 2010 at 12:15 am
A lesson it took me until my 30’s to learn is that maintaining something is always easier than getting it back. That applies to your health, career, relationships, car, house, wealth, etc. It’s something I learned when I worked in sales but never applied to myself at the time. It’s always easier to keep customers than to get new ones or win old ones back. The application of this lesson is endless - keep your resume updated (not just when you lose your job), don’t take your spouse, kids or friends for granted, get to the gym a few times a week and keep the junk food\drinking in moderation, floss every day, get your oil changed regularly, save 10% of your paycheck, and on and on. Almost everyone in their 40’s with a potbelly and high blood pressure or that’s living paycheck to paycheck said “that will never be me” when they were 18. These simple things we know we should do sometimes get away from us.
Another lesson it took me about a decade to learn is not to be a workaholic. After you’ve been through several cycles of people resigning\getting fired\promoted, you see a strange pattern develop. It’s not always the people who come in early, stay late or work weekends who get the promotions. Come in on time, always give 100% but don’t stay late unless its an emergency. Working 60 hours a week only makes you the first person they come to when there’s extra work to be done.
July 5th, 2010 at 5:40 am
What a truly wonderful article, Marc, and I am so pleased that a friend recommended it to me. I am not 18 but the points you raise are so important and I would say treating others as you would treat yourself is an absolute must and so too is doing something that you really enjoy. Life is not a dress rehearsal, so enjoy the time that you have. I personally think that this article should not only be addressed to 18 year olds but 40 year olds and upwards - life lessons that they still should learn - you are never too old to try! I shall definitely be following your blog from now on.
Again, many thanks.
Alex
http://brains-trust.co.uk
http://twitter.com/alexparr
July 5th, 2010 at 11:38 am
I really enjoyed reading this post!
Thank you for your insight and experience.
Life is much easier on paper, we all need to work our life muscles in order to keep these principles at the cutting edge of our day to day.
These words are too easily forgotten, and regret is a killer.
July 8th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
This post is awesome for a teenager!
I’m a 3rd year college student and did exactly this and moved from MN to FL for an internship and it has helped me in more than one way.
Everyone should never quit reaching for their dreams, it will come eventually.
July 8th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Great post. Thank you.
July 8th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
What a great post. It brought tears to my eyes. At 33 years old I am just now learning some of these lessons and wish someone older and wiser had helped me out when I was 18.
July 12th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Nice post.
July 15th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Excellent post! Really made me think. I agree with pretty much every single one. If only… if only…
July 16th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Great post Marc. I’m 18 and I’ll implement these tips as soon as I can !
July 20th, 2010 at 11:38 am
Thank you so much for sharing.
July 21st, 2010 at 11:09 pm
it’s really nice post
thanks a lot for such a nice blog……
July 22nd, 2010 at 12:42 am
I wish someone told me about sex education.
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:54 am
Yeah, if only someone would have told me all that stuff! The person I am today vs. at 18 years old is on a whole new planet!
-study hard to get to college
-get a job
-get good benefits
-get retirement
-etc. ad nauseum
self help, personal development, build your ideal life
July 26th, 2010 at 2:18 am
Amazing info! Thank you so much for posting this
August 10th, 2010 at 7:47 am
நன்றி. That’s “Thank You” in Tamil
August 10th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
That was great! You just opened my eyes to some things. But you should let go too of things you cannot change, because you speak a lot about not following someone elses dream, you give me the impression that you made this mistake, so let go. If i am wrong, sorry, never mind. Just hope you actually read this.
August 16th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Hay man, i guess i owe u one. Your article has really inspired me, and i can only imagine the number of lives you have touched out there. Yeah its a great work! And believe so much in you. Just keep it up.
August 21st, 2010 at 1:14 am
This is the absolute best thing I’ve ever read in my LIFE, thank you so much for posting this.
After reading this it kinda makes you think about your life and what your going to do with it. Hopefully I’ll follow what you said and keep everyone of these questions in mind for the future.
Thanks again,
Nikia
August 21st, 2010 at 11:38 pm
the best I’ve ever read
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:39 pm
That is really wonderful and helpful blog!!!
Cheers!!
August 29th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Thanks so much for posting this!
I’m 18 and in my second week of college. I’m the shy, nerdy, socially-awkward type, and though I have a career plan, I’m really afraid that I’m not going to pick the right major, make enough friends, enough money, etc….
Your article is really helpful, and highlights things that are both new to most people, and some things that we just need to be reminded of from time to time.
Definitely bookmarking this so I can look at it when I’m feeling uncertain again. Thank you!
August 30th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
As the mom of a 14-year-old son who starts high school in two days, I read this post with great interest and appreciation. So well said. And such good advice, not only for young people but also for middle-aged people like me. A great reminder about what counts in life.
I’m going to give this to my son. It’s a keeper. Thanks a bunch.
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