Chapters (Powered by ChapterMe) - 00:00 - Coming Up 00:15 - Intro: How to spend your 20s 00:34 - Hedonic Treadmill 02:48 - Don't Speed Run 03:41 - Go Hardcore Early 05:44 - Seek Risks 08:23 - Parents 09:43 - Peers 12:31 - Relationships 14:16 - Commonality 15:32 - Limitations 16:53 - Good Schools 18:46 - Get In The Game 20:38 - TL;DR 21:07 - Outro
If you guys wrote a book based on this, not only would I buy it, but I would send it to many of my friends who are in their 20’s. What a treasure of wisdom! Thank you.
I recently turned 32. I spent my 20s building 5 software based tech startups and projects. All of them failed. The result? • I got senior-class level experience in programming. • I developed a mindset of bringing an idea to life from conception to implementation. • Learned about marketing, sales, and engineering. • Learned how to learn on my own. • Learned how to develop relationships. • Learned how to adapt under black swan (unexpected) events. • I became frugal. I know how to use limited resources to spin-off companies. • Developed problem-solving skills (Connecting business with engineering). Now? I'm back in the game. Wiser, stronger, and more precise. I can't think what would've happened if I started later. 0 regrets. I rather live with "Dang, I tried and failed", than with "What if I had done that in the past?" Don't think twice. Take risks.
@manzukrecordsexclusive578 yeah. That led me to reflect, and get back on track. Definitely worth it. I wouldn't be even close to where I am today if I hadn't started.
That’s awesome man. I’m in software sales myself at a corporate and its always interesting to see that stuff goes wrong all the time in the biggest companies - people just don’t think that that happens. If you want to connect and bounce back ideas, talk about software etc lmk man 👌🏼
Would you recommend starting a startup to solve a random problem just to get the experience or only start a startup when you really find a problem you’re passionate about?
If you really don't have problem don't start just to start you can join startup and learn how startup ecosystem works and once you get idea then start your startup@@deenaelorra4062
I’m 29, worked corporate after college and hated it, while saving and living at home, started a business right before getting laid off, worked on a marketing agency then covid hit, lost all my clients, moved to Mexico with a friend, grew it, started a 2nd business (janitorial) remotely, got screwed over and lost almost all my money, met another partner which brought me to living in Serbia for 2 years, had different gfs throughout all of this, now I’m rebuilding everything mostly from scratch, have traveled the world and as much as the failures caused some dark moments for me I can’t help but feel absolutely fulfilled by the fact I took risks and I learned and grew and I can’t explain the feeling but I just know that my 30s will be full of fulfillment and success and I’m more than ready for it.
@@anshulkhobragade7220 Because once you upgraded your life early, you won't have anything else to upgrade, and you might feel a void of completion. It's better to slowly achieve goals, not achieve all goals in one year or on your 20s.
20s is a magic decade, as a young man I learned a lot during this period, I took a lot of risk and I learned so much. Actually 30, I'm skilled in house building, mechanical engineering, blockchain coding and smart contract audit. Take risk and be insatiable in your 20s and you'll be reward later
@@samanthaaaz22 I am a graduate of a mechanical engineering school, so I learned it at school ; because the principles are almost the same with house building I learned it easily thanks to a great guy who taugh me a lot ; And finally with youtube I've learned web2/web3 coding and smart contract auditing. I think working almost 85h/week without take vacation since 2017, good self-taught skills, focus and an insatiable desire to learn new stuffs helped too
So great. Im 24 and everybody tells me "oh, youre so young, dont hurry, youve got so much time, just enjoy it its the best time of your life, ...". And I know its pointing directly in the wrong direction; they want to be nice but actually this mindset would make my life way harder later on.
Fr, and you shouldnt feel ostracized for not moving at their pace. You are your own person with your own goals and one should never be ashamed of their own ambition.
I personally disagree. I feel like people should conform generally to what the common goals are (good school, high-paying job, fit, involved in community). After you accumulate skills or resources you can cash those in for human agency to do things contrary to the masses. Just my two cents
I disagree. Extremity is 99% of the time bad for you and the people around you. Look at druggies, extreme left wing, extreme right wing, communism. And in the school/business world: not going to college, without any experience creating a startup, being a lonewolf. There is a path that most successful people take to be where they are at: going to college, getting a lot of experience, being a teamplayer, creating a startup with likeminded individuals.
I agree on the relationship topic: the best people will build long-term relationships in their 20s, so it becomes harder to find the right person if you start in your 30s or later.
really a good point, I was always thinking that first, building things like startup all the way then try to find a long term relationship after is the good move, but after seeing this maybe I was wrong on the point
I'm in my late 20s, doing a PhD, which I'll probably finish in my early 30s. Take it from me, this is all extremely relevant to me as well. I dare say that if you take really good care of yourself, these lessons will carry into your 30s as well- well, save for the mortgage/kids/career restrictions which are inevitable. But the lessons still apply.
hey im 24, considering doing a phd in ai but not sure. whats your take , has it been beneficial for you? what do you suggest i do, go for a phd or work at a startup
@@arubittu I worked in a startup for a bit before going into a PhD (3 years). And for full transparency, I left the first program I joined because I didn't get on well with my PI and because I didn't like my research topic. So I've started over, working on something I enjoy a lot more. Make sure you do a PhD on something you are good at, you are passionate about, and are comfortable being the only person in the room that cares about that one subject. A PhD is a labor of love.
Thank you so much for mentioning stable relationships. I think it is so detrimental to see many people not taking relationships seriously. It prevents people from having stability, creates baggage for their actual life partner, and creates a society where people don't know how to maintain a long-term relationship.
Absolutely, people forget that you're supposed to spend your 20's working on personal relationships as well as your career. Most end up neglecting one of those things
Love the idea of being intentional with your time in your 20s. Surrounding yourself with good people is key - I've learned so much from the people I've met along the way. Thanks for sharing your insights!
Someone out there needs to hear this: if you get a dream object (car, house, watch, maybe even a superb stock portfolio) you have to think of yourself as a steward of that object. It's your obligation to preserve the object for the next owner, your offspring, or for posterity. If you do NOT think of yourself as a steward, you'll neglect and betray your dream object, maybe even damage it. If you cannot motivate yourself to be a good steward, then you need to sell the object and go find something that you are motivated to preserve. If you need an analogy, think Downton Abby - it must be preserved.
@ it’s your choice. If you don’t want to be a steward, sell. If you don’t want to build a legacy for your offspring and secure their future, stay single and chase your passion
I'm in my mid-twenties, but here's what I've done so far. Right before college, I cut off friends who drained my energy and had a negative mentality. I became more authentically myself freshman year of college and made friends who knew the real me. I did two study abroad trips that helped me see the world and boosted my mental health. I changed my major and developed my writing skills. I worked on-campus jobs, retail, and at a cafe. After college, I started experimenting with freelancing. I wanted to be a travel copywriter but then the pandemic hit and that was out the window. I started freelance book editing, and that helped me network in the publishing industry, but I noticed myself losing my spark for my own creative passions. So, I looked for a new career in tech sales. Now, I'm working in that industry with my book editing as a side hustle. Plus, I can write my book, read, study a second language, eat better food, and exercise. I plan to make the second half of my 20s count by paying off student loans faster, moving into my first apartment, and buying a car.
I would say take calculated risks in your 20s, not just any risks. Sit down and think through it, write down pros and cons on a piece of paper for more clarity and decide from there.
Great advice! Doing hard things makes your life easier. Seeking uncomfortable situations will make you life more pleasurable than seeking pleasure. Kind of weird, but so true.
and often times the hard things aren't too hard, society has a way of overcomplicating it but once you find the true essence and you've done it a couple of times..to your point..the rest is easy.
Gosh I needed this. Even with a good education and prospects I am stagnant because I stuck with something I should have let go of years ago, worse part is no one was forcing me but fear. Now at 27, I am trying to rebuild my life and start all over, starting with uni.
For those of us in Asia who find it challenging to secure funding, do not despair. I’m already in my late 30s and a solopreneur, yet I firmly believe there is always a way to achieve what you truly desire. Stay positive, keep pushing forward, and always stay aligned with your product's vision and mission.
Really glad you guys posted this video today. My job offered me a 1-month break after I graduate college and I thought it would be better to deny that to start working and earn money but you've helped me choose to take that time off and work full-time for myself. I feel foolish for ever having thought against that and I have no doubt that this will be transformative.
@0siiris I think I'm gonna get in my car and drive north. I'll live out of my car, explore, and meet people. I'll work on some projects that I think have potential out of libraries or cafes.
I always thought Y Combinator was out of reach-something achievable only for people who think on a completely different level. But listening to these two guys talk so naturally, like friends, it feels so relatable. They’ve made me realize that I’m on the right path. Hearing them say that it’s important to tackle hard things in your 20s is incredibly motivating. Thank you for this inspiring conversation!
Thank you Michael plus dalton for this . I am in my twenties and starting my journey Every time someone likes it I will get reminders to do great things
Solid advice! I especially like the part about allowing yourself to risk more (within reason of course) especially given you have a bit more leeway to do so in your 20s.
This is so relevant!! I wish this was released 5 years back. Especially the part on being conscious about who you surround yourself with. Makes a world of difference.
Oh wow. Dalton just said something profound at 11:10 that I haven't heard before. Everyone becomes a centrist of whomever they are surrounded by. If they people around you are skewed to any direction, then you will too, but you'll still think you are a centrist, because that I what you see - you see the people around you.
What an impactful video! Thanks so much Michael and Dalton for this great advice My big takeaways: - Investments in your 20s pay off for the rest of your life, whether they are good investments or bad ones. - Ask yourself where the super talented people are. How can you get in there? How can you be around them? Another example of the strength of weak ties.
The relationship advice is the most important here. No amount of hard work make up for a good relationship. Also, remember that relationships take effort and dedication to build.
By nurturing long-term relationships in your 20s, you can free your mind from the distractions of short-term flings and better concentrate on your passions.
Thanks a lot guys for these videos... I am 22, recently graduated from college & joined a start-up... Sometimes I find myself really clueless in life, this guidance will certainly be helpful.
Can we get a longer video of this type of content? I am almost there but say an hour or maybe even 2-3 would really get me and possibly others out of a hole... I am 26 and still living at home, just started a new job with much better pay, but I am still doubting every single choice
This is why I don't rush to buy the latest phone because while everyone else has already become used to it I get to experiencing the iPhone 11 for the first time!
I really needed to hear this. I’m 23 and pivoting from a music production degree and work in operations engineering to pursuing a master’s in computer science at UPenn (MCIT). I didn’t get in on my first attempt, likely due to my limited quant background, so I’m now taking for-credit math classes to strengthen my application for the next round. I’m based in Manchester UK and I don’t have friends or a network of people who think this way, but I’m holding onto routine, discipline, focus, and ambition, trusting it will all count for something. I watch the child in me slowly fade from my face each day, and while that’s terrifying, what’s revealed is a self-assuredness that I’m confident will get me into the rooms I aspire to be in one day. To anyone reading this, and to my future self: hang in there.
Thank you, guys, for the amazing advice and expertise. I can't thank you enough for all the advice you give, and I'm very grateful for the effort and hard work you guys are putting into each video.
If you're not citizens, the worst part of working in startups is to lose your working visa and move back to where you came from if it turned out to fail. It's not just about not buying houses or nice cars.
I love you for putting out the content that helps me and my colleagues which are just beginning the university and we always keep the thoughts of building something larger then ourselves
This video made me make sense of the kind of risks I have taken and the kind I've said no to. This is maybe the best episode I've watched yet, its resonated so deeply.
"There's only so many good things." I find this hard to grasp because I think that, to a certain extent, it's our responsibility to create good things. We're driven by achieving more than we have, if we'd intentionally delay the point that we "reach the sky", we'll never explore space.
Life is non linear and unpredictable. You need to be comfortable with uncertainty and the fact that things don’t always go according to plan, even if you do everything correctly.
Omg that’s my exact mind set when it comes to risk, everything time when I’m stressed out about something I would just ask myself what are the worst case scenarios.
You have to do stuff sooner or later. Minimize early, don't waste time collect the dots but to connect the dots. Risk-takers are smart people. Source: Daily Science.
Great insight and prespective! I think to sum up, just imagine you are the hero of ur life that you would be proud of to tell ur kids you survived and somehow thrived 😃👍
7:20 No; the fate we’re worried about is being in a mountain of student loan debt, being unemployed for months after graduation, finally getting and accepting a low-ball offer, then getting laid off due to corporate cost-cutting or AI, and never being able to live an independent life 🫠 And that’s with a CS degree! We need a job guarantee program, a massive public housing build-out, and universal healthcare! Then maybe we would take more risks and be innovative.
So what? Life is unfair. You just listed up all the risks you have to face. It's not like those who become successful in the space didn't have to face those things too.
@@SJCScriptsthis is super tone deaf. CS grads right now are facing a really huge crisis, debt is greater than before and housing prices are super high. This is not to victimize them but just to acknowledge their troubles ❤
@niharikapatil902 Maybe a bit. I'm a CS Grad too, and definitely agree that the market is terrible, and current AI hype marketing is making things look bleak for entry-level engineers, {insert any other industry problem here}, etc. With that being said, it's a waste of time and opportunity to pile up prerequisites before doing something about succeeding regardless. It's technically a way to procrastinate. Do you need to accept a low-ball offer? No, it's a signal that your skills aren't valued there. So do something about your skills or go somewhere else. You also can't get laid off if you are self-sustaining. Not easy either but definitely doable.
@@SJCScripts "So do something about your skills or go somewhere else." YES! So many people ignore this and play the blame game. It took me 12 months to land my first role, and I was let go 5 weeks later LOL. Life is NOT fair. But don't make excuses, do something about it! I started my own company, kept hustling and kept going. I don't even have a CS degree either! Nobody is going to do this except ourselves. I've been kicked down so many times that it genuinely gets old, and I just don't care anymore as I'm numb and bitter. People shouldn't be given things strictly for existing, they need to work for it. I watched all of my classmates get jobs while I was long last to get one. Then, I worked in FAANG and a few unicorn startups a year after my first role. It's all perspective, hard work, and mindset. Sorry, not sorry for the other commenter; this is a harsh truth of the world that you'll have to accept. I had to power through every disadvantage you could think of, disabilities, age, no degree, no network (nobody in my ENTIRE extended family has ever worked in tech, and I come from a lower-class background, too). If you want something, go get it, if you don't, learn from it, and keep going.
Hey guys this video has inspired me to do something really different. Whatever your startup idea is please leave it under my comment I am willing to sign up to all the waitlists and hear about your great ideas and products. I am also a founder in my early 20’s looking too connect with other great founders
I really wished to hear the argument for startups for the people who don't think they'd want to do a startup at all. It seems like the space is pretty homogeneous + competing with big tech easy jobs is hard. The value proposition to not just comfortably grind for promos until saving enough to be an angel or VC isn't really there in this interest rate environment.
11:50 This is false, my decisions impact much more than just myself. especially if it makes my family uncomfortable or worry. that’s emotional stress on them for a decision I make. and how can I say I love them if I’m going to willingly make a decision I know will cause them to feel this way? Not to mention if I make a big mistake of any kind, they have to either sacrifice to help get me out of the mess I made or suffer by watching me suffer.
When I was 22 I've started a master's degree in sociological research. On the second year, I've met my actual girlfriend (6 years 🎉 and counting). Because I felt like like doing nothing with my time, more than just studying, thought about going abroad with a work and travel programe. Done that for 3 months in the UK, worked in catering assistance for a few months, got my confidence boosted up (and some money which I couldn't get in my country). Right after that I got a scholarship in Poland for 6 months through Erasmus, which was great in terms of studying and travelling. Got back home in 2020, when the covid strike in. That just canceled my USA work & travel plans, which we paid for almost 700$ :(. Since than, I switched a few back office jobs, which brought me lots of low salaries and frustration. Now I wanna get on a naval cruise job, get some money and save them, to go abroad (thought about Denmark) and start a Uni and life all over again :). Does this sound like a feasible plan?
Well… if you get a job at IBM, it is VERY likely you will manage to stay if you self improve throughout your career. So not sure what your point is there. Risk is good for those in the 1st world with an already well established situation, and very stupid for anyone else. Risk is only good for someone who hasn’t gone through much, especially for rich or upper middle class kids. The rest don’t really need it, best if they take the conservative path, and they will be so rich and mentally stable in their 30s that they can EASILY take risk, versus when they’re broke in their 20s and have their parents depending on them getting on their feet. Pretty strange video in terms of how biased the discussion is.
If your 20’s are so important, then wouldn’t that make the stakes high by definition? Wouldn’t that mean we shouldn’t take risks at all? If we take a risk and fail, wouldn’t that significantly alter our career trajectory for the worse compared to if he hadn’t taken a risk at all?
How do they imagine changing to a different city where you have to pay bills by yourself but quitting your job for a business idea, i mean, maybe i'm too narrwominded but, how possible is it?
Chapters (Powered by ChapterMe) -
00:00 - Coming Up
00:15 - Intro: How to spend your 20s
00:34 - Hedonic Treadmill
02:48 - Don't Speed Run
03:41 - Go Hardcore Early
05:44 - Seek Risks
08:23 - Parents
09:43 - Peers
12:31 - Relationships
14:16 - Commonality
15:32 - Limitations
16:53 - Good Schools
18:46 - Get In The Game
20:38 - TL;DR
21:07 - Outro
If you guys wrote a book based on this, not only would I buy it, but I would send it to many of my friends who are in their 20’s. What a treasure of wisdom! Thank you.
@@noahditzler2416💯
😊😊😊❤
I recently turned 32.
I spent my 20s building 5 software based tech startups and projects.
All of them failed.
The result?
• I got senior-class level experience in programming.
• I developed a mindset of bringing an idea to life from conception to implementation.
• Learned about marketing, sales, and engineering.
• Learned how to learn on my own.
• Learned how to develop relationships.
• Learned how to adapt under black swan (unexpected) events.
• I became frugal. I know how to use limited resources to spin-off companies.
• Developed problem-solving skills (Connecting business with engineering).
Now?
I'm back in the game. Wiser, stronger, and more precise.
I can't think what would've happened if I started later.
0 regrets.
I rather live with "Dang, I tried and failed", than with "What if I had done that in the past?"
Don't think twice. Take risks.
wow 0/5 is crazy bro
@manzukrecordsexclusive578 yeah.
That led me to reflect, and get back on track.
Definitely worth it.
I wouldn't be even close to where I am today if I hadn't started.
That’s awesome man. I’m in software sales myself at a corporate and its always interesting to see that stuff goes wrong all the time in the biggest companies - people just don’t think that that happens. If you want to connect and bounce back ideas, talk about software etc lmk man 👌🏼
Would you recommend starting a startup to solve a random problem just to get the experience or only start a startup when you really find a problem you’re passionate about?
If you really don't have problem don't start just to start you can join startup and learn how startup ecosystem works and once you get idea then start your startup@@deenaelorra4062
I’m 29, worked corporate after college and hated it, while saving and living at home, started a business right before getting laid off, worked on a marketing agency then covid hit, lost all my clients, moved to Mexico with a friend, grew it, started a 2nd business (janitorial) remotely, got screwed over and lost almost all my money, met another partner which brought me to living in Serbia for 2 years, had different gfs throughout all of this, now I’m rebuilding everything mostly from scratch, have traveled the world and as much as the failures caused some dark moments for me I can’t help but feel absolutely fulfilled by the fact I took risks and I learned and grew and I can’t explain the feeling but I just know that my 30s will be full of fulfillment and success and I’m more than ready for it.
@@alexdennery3375 that's wild dude. Best of luck!
Rock on man!
Man, you do sound like my next phase of life!
Got goosebumps reading this. Glad you’re living true to you man! Best of fortune to you
looks full of hope
That idea of not quickly upgrading your life is super powerful.
but why? ,actually i didnt got the point.
@@anshulkhobragade7220 this is common sense my friend. It is as clear as water Why?
Made this mistake after getting my first big boy job at Google. Caught my error early and am now playing damage control 😂
@@anshulkhobragade7220 Because once you upgraded your life early, you won't have anything else to upgrade, and you might feel a void of completion. It's better to slowly achieve goals, not achieve all goals in one year or on your 20s.
@@julianpena9767what was the exact mistake can you share?
"You'll get to be in the room and soak up the culture."
This is probably the most beautiful way I've heard this piece of wisdom put in.
20s is a magic decade, as a young man I learned a lot during this period, I took a lot of risk and I learned so much. Actually 30, I'm skilled in house building, mechanical engineering, blockchain coding and smart contract audit. Take risk and be insatiable in your 20s and you'll be reward later
What do you do now?
How did you learn all of this?
@@samanthaaaz22 I am a graduate of a mechanical engineering school, so I learned it at school ; because the principles are almost the same with house building I learned it easily thanks to a great guy who taugh me a lot ; And finally with youtube I've learned web2/web3 coding and smart contract auditing.
I think working almost 85h/week without take vacation since 2017, good self-taught skills, focus and an insatiable desire to learn new stuffs helped too
So great. Im 24 and everybody tells me "oh, youre so young, dont hurry, youve got so much time, just enjoy it its the best time of your life, ...". And I know its pointing directly in the wrong direction; they want to be nice but actually this mindset would make my life way harder later on.
Fr, and you shouldnt feel ostracized for not moving at their pace. You are your own person with your own goals and one should never be ashamed of their own ambition.
Just remember this. If it feels like you're going the opposite direction of the masses, you are probably on the right track.
I personally disagree. I feel like people should conform generally to what the common goals are (good school, high-paying job, fit, involved in community). After you accumulate skills or resources you can cash those in for human agency to do things contrary to the masses. Just my two cents
I disagree. Extremity is 99% of the time bad for you and the people around you. Look at druggies, extreme left wing, extreme right wing, communism. And in the school/business world: not going to college, without any experience creating a startup, being a lonewolf.
There is a path that most successful people take to be where they are at: going to college, getting a lot of experience, being a teamplayer, creating a startup with likeminded individuals.
I agree on the relationship topic: the best people will build long-term relationships in their 20s, so it becomes harder to find the right person if you start in your 30s or later.
really a good point, I was always thinking that first, building things like startup all the way then try to find a long term relationship after is the good move, but after seeing this maybe I was wrong on the point
But you meet a lot of temporary people in your 20s😑
I'm in my late 20s, doing a PhD, which I'll probably finish in my early 30s. Take it from me, this is all extremely relevant to me as well. I dare say that if you take really good care of yourself, these lessons will carry into your 30s as well- well, save for the mortgage/kids/career restrictions which are inevitable. But the lessons still apply.
its 2024 nobody is having kids in their 30s and nobody is definitely buying a house
hey im 24, considering doing a phd in ai but not sure. whats your take , has it been beneficial for you? what do you suggest i do, go for a phd or work at a startup
@@arubittu I worked in a startup for a bit before going into a PhD (3 years). And for full transparency, I left the first program I joined because I didn't get on well with my PI and because I didn't like my research topic. So I've started over, working on something I enjoy a lot more.
Make sure you do a PhD on something you are good at, you are passionate about, and are comfortable being the only person in the room that cares about that one subject. A PhD is a labor of love.
Nobodies doing home mortgages anymore that’s boomer shet .
It’s the get rich or die trying era. The age of the have yachts and the have-nots
Thank you so much for mentioning stable relationships. I think it is so detrimental to see many people not taking relationships seriously. It prevents people from having stability, creates baggage for their actual life partner, and creates a society where people don't know how to maintain a long-term relationship.
Absolutely, people forget that you're supposed to spend your 20's working on personal relationships as well as your career. Most end up neglecting one of those things
Love the idea of being intentional with your time in your 20s. Surrounding yourself with good people is key - I've learned so much from the people I've met along the way. Thanks for sharing your insights!
Someone out there needs to hear this: if you get a dream object (car, house, watch, maybe even a superb stock portfolio) you have to think of yourself as a steward of that object. It's your obligation to preserve the object for the next owner, your offspring, or for posterity. If you do NOT think of yourself as a steward, you'll neglect and betray your dream object, maybe even damage it. If you cannot motivate yourself to be a good steward, then you need to sell the object and go find something that you are motivated to preserve. If you need an analogy, think Downton Abby - it must be preserved.
Tyler Durden disagrees: "The things that you own end up owing you"
@ it’s your choice. If you don’t want to be a steward, sell. If you don’t want to build a legacy for your offspring and secure their future, stay single and chase your passion
@@slytherben if I buy a car, even a fancy one, it's just a tool for me to get from point A to B. Nothing more.
@@open_ckt ok sounds good
9 times out of 10 giving your wealth to your offspring leaves them in a worse state. Raise them to expect nothing.
I'm in my mid-twenties, but here's what I've done so far. Right before college, I cut off friends who drained my energy and had a negative mentality. I became more authentically myself freshman year of college and made friends who knew the real me. I did two study abroad trips that helped me see the world and boosted my mental health. I changed my major and developed my writing skills. I worked on-campus jobs, retail, and at a cafe.
After college, I started experimenting with freelancing. I wanted to be a travel copywriter but then the pandemic hit and that was out the window. I started freelance book editing, and that helped me network in the publishing industry, but I noticed myself losing my spark for my own creative passions. So, I looked for a new career in tech sales. Now, I'm working in that industry with my book editing as a side hustle. Plus, I can write my book, read, study a second language, eat better food, and exercise. I plan to make the second half of my 20s count by paying off student loans faster, moving into my first apartment, and buying a car.
TLDR:
1. Avoid the Hedonic Treadmill
2. Embrace Hardcore Efforts Early
3. Take Risks
4. Question Parental Expectations
5. Choose Your Friends Wisely
6. Seek Stable Relationships
7. Emphasize Personal Growth Over Comfort
8. Utilize Every Opportunity
Take risks when you can afford it, in your 20s, not always, when you have other responsibilities it will be difficult
I would say take calculated risks in your 20s, not just any risks. Sit down and think through it, write down pros and cons on a piece of paper for more clarity and decide from there.
Great advice! Doing hard things makes your life easier. Seeking uncomfortable situations will make you life more pleasurable than seeking pleasure. Kind of weird, but so true.
and often times the hard things aren't too hard, society has a way of overcomplicating it but once you find the true essence and you've done it a couple of times..to your point..the rest is easy.
Gosh I needed this. Even with a good education and prospects I am stagnant because I stuck with something I should have let go of years ago, worse part is no one was forcing me but fear.
Now at 27, I am trying to rebuild my life and start all over, starting with uni.
This was really relatable, as someone in my 20s and I have been mindlessly following my parents plan without considering what I want
For those of us in Asia who find it challenging to secure funding, do not despair. I’m already in my late 30s and a solopreneur, yet I firmly believe there is always a way to achieve what you truly desire. Stay positive, keep pushing forward, and always stay aligned with your product's vision and mission.
Really glad you guys posted this video today. My job offered me a 1-month break after I graduate college and I thought it would be better to deny that to start working and earn money but you've helped me choose to take that time off and work full-time for myself. I feel foolish for ever having thought against that and I have no doubt that this will be transformative.
Definitely take the time! What do you plan to do with it?
@0siiris I think I'm gonna get in my car and drive north. I'll live out of my car, explore, and meet people. I'll work on some projects that I think have potential out of libraries or cafes.
I am 23 and thank God I clicked on this video ❤️
Same
I wish this channel wasnt so obsessed with youth. Id love to see some content about founders who started in their 40s and 50s
Me too
Most founders are in their 40s and 50s so content for that is everywhere
Maybe most of their audience are young. I'm also in my 20s
Audience
I’d say something but I turned 60 this year so I have aged out of your content filter. heh.
I always thought Y Combinator was out of reach-something achievable only for people who think on a completely different level. But listening to these two guys talk so naturally, like friends, it feels so relatable. They’ve made me realize that I’m on the right path. Hearing them say that it’s important to tackle hard things in your 20s is incredibly motivating. Thank you for this inspiring conversation!
Thank you Michael plus dalton for this .
I am in my twenties and starting my journey
Every time someone likes it
I will get reminders to do great things
Solid advice! I especially like the part about allowing yourself to risk more (within reason of course) especially given you have a bit more leeway to do so in your 20s.
This is so relevant!! I wish this was released 5 years back.
Especially the part on being conscious about who you surround yourself with. Makes a world of difference.
I too am 25 and wishing I'd started earlier lol. I have a good job, but I definitely haven't done hard things or taken any risks.
Michael's comment on relationships is literally a question I've had on my mind all year as a founder in his 20s. Thanks for being real on that man.
what was it?
@@edison1 building a long-term (romantic) relationships earlier
Oh wow. Dalton just said something profound at 11:10 that I haven't heard before. Everyone becomes a centrist of whomever they are surrounded by. If they people around you are skewed to any direction, then you will too, but you'll still think you are a centrist, because that I what you see - you see the people around you.
What an impactful video! Thanks so much Michael and Dalton for this great advice
My big takeaways:
- Investments in your 20s pay off for the rest of your life, whether they are good investments or bad ones.
- Ask yourself where the super talented people are. How can you get in there? How can you be around them? Another example of the strength of weak ties.
The relationship advice is the most important here. No amount of hard work make up for a good relationship. Also, remember that relationships take effort and dedication to build.
the first "job" out of college that I did was "Starting up"-I did that for 2 years-and then got an awesome offer.
By nurturing long-term relationships in your 20s, you can free your mind from the distractions of short-term flings and better concentrate on your passions.
Thanks a lot guys for these videos... I am 22, recently graduated from college & joined a start-up... Sometimes I find myself really clueless in life, this guidance will certainly be helpful.
Same here man i see my mates living so well and i become sad about my life,i would keep pushing and learning
Y'all should read "The Defining Decade". Most of the points in this video are beautifully expounded in form of stories
Yes yes, an old book but I loveee
i love this show, honestly nothing makes me want to a apply to YC more so than you to guys, down to earth, practical, real and great advice
This is the best summary of all the good advice I’ve heard growing up. Thank you for encapsulating it.
Can we get a longer video of this type of content?
I am almost there but say an hour or maybe even 2-3 would really get me and possibly others out of a hole...
I am 26 and still living at home, just started a new job with much better pay, but I am still doubting every single choice
please... i love the insights and would enjoy digging deeper on Dalton's and Michael's real experiences
This is why I don't rush to buy the latest phone because while everyone else has already become used to it I get to experiencing the iPhone 11 for the first time!
Real using iPhone 11 since 2021😭😭😂….. no need to pressure myself
Youre right. been using my phone nearly 5 years!
this was very insightful, I want to live a riskier life, I follow everything by the book/rules too often sometime and I feel like it's holding me back
Love this. Be the architect of your future.
Great video with so many lessons...
I'm 24 and I sure learnt a lot.
In my mid 30s and I love listening to advice for people in their 20s. 30s is the new 20s LFG
This decade….doors start closing….that hits hard
I really needed to hear this. I’m 23 and pivoting from a music production degree and work in operations engineering to pursuing a master’s in computer science at UPenn (MCIT). I didn’t get in on my first attempt, likely due to my limited quant background, so I’m now taking for-credit math classes to strengthen my application for the next round.
I’m based in Manchester UK and I don’t have friends or a network of people who think this way, but I’m holding onto routine, discipline, focus, and ambition, trusting it will all count for something. I watch the child in me slowly fade from my face each day, and while that’s terrifying, what’s revealed is a self-assuredness that I’m confident will get me into the rooms I aspire to be in one day. To anyone reading this, and to my future self: hang in there.
I really love how he laughed. Thanks for the advice!
Great video. Note: I like the right topic sidebar
Thank you, guys, for the amazing advice and expertise. I can't thank you enough for all the advice you give, and I'm very grateful for the effort and hard work you guys are putting into each video.
omg, i have been waiting for this video for such a long time. thank you!!!
I am thirty in two months and this hits hard
Im 33 in 1 month, dont worry bro
30 is not as bad as it is, some people discover things like this in their 50s or 60s
so you can always do great things in that age
If you're not citizens, the worst part of working in startups is to lose your working visa and move back to where you came from if it turned out to fail. It's not just about not buying houses or nice cars.
I love you for putting out the content that helps me and my colleagues which are just beginning the university and we always keep the thoughts of building something larger then ourselves
This video made me make sense of the kind of risks I have taken and the kind I've said no to. This is maybe the best episode I've watched yet, its resonated so deeply.
Compound interest applies to all aspects of life. Once you realize that, it gives you clarity in life. ❤
"There's only so many good things."
I find this hard to grasp because I think that, to a certain extent, it's our responsibility to create good things.
We're driven by achieving more than we have, if we'd intentionally delay the point that we "reach the sky", we'll never explore space.
Dalton & Michael, thank you for this!
Turning 21 next year, lots going on, hopefully things turn out right, cuz I can't imagine if it doesn't, this better work out
Life is non linear and unpredictable. You need to be comfortable with uncertainty and the fact that things don’t always go according to plan, even if you do everything correctly.
dm me if things don't work out, I'll give you money and help. no jokes
Turning 21 years next year too...I have taken a very huge risk but it didn't work out so I have to take a different approach now.
Hope all goes well.
@@Marvels18 what have you done
@manzukrecordsexclusive578 yo dawg can u send me money no jokes Ill double it in next years and give it back to you
Thanks guys 😁 have to watch this every month
Omg that’s my exact mind set when it comes to risk, everything time when I’m stressed out about something I would just ask myself what are the worst case scenarios.
this video is all facts
This is what I needed to watch. I will start
You have to do stuff sooner or later.
Minimize early, don't waste time collect the dots but to connect the dots.
Risk-takers are smart people. Source: Daily Science.
fckd up asap, got experience in management though lost some money, learned to fck up quick & cheap while evaluating overall expected value. No regrets
thank you guys so much for this video. God Bless
Great insight and prespective! I think to sum up, just imagine you are the hero of ur life that you would be proud of to tell ur kids you survived and somehow thrived 😃👍
7:20 No; the fate we’re worried about is being in a mountain of student loan debt, being unemployed for months after graduation, finally getting and accepting a low-ball offer, then getting laid off due to corporate cost-cutting or AI, and never being able to live an independent life 🫠
And that’s with a CS degree! We need a job guarantee program, a massive public housing build-out, and universal healthcare! Then maybe we would take more risks and be innovative.
So what? Life is unfair. You just listed up all the risks you have to face. It's not like those who become successful in the space didn't have to face those things too.
@@SJCScriptsthis is super tone deaf. CS grads right now are facing a really huge crisis, debt is greater than before and housing prices are super high. This is not to victimize them but just to acknowledge their troubles ❤
@niharikapatil902 Maybe a bit. I'm a CS Grad too, and definitely agree that the market is terrible, and current AI hype marketing is making things look bleak for entry-level engineers, {insert any other industry problem here}, etc.
With that being said, it's a waste of time and opportunity to pile up prerequisites before doing something about succeeding regardless. It's technically a way to procrastinate.
Do you need to accept a low-ball offer? No, it's a signal that your skills aren't valued there. So do something about your skills or go somewhere else.
You also can't get laid off if you are self-sustaining. Not easy either but definitely doable.
@@SJCScripts "So do something about your skills or go somewhere else." YES! So many people ignore this and play the blame game. It took me 12 months to land my first role, and I was let go 5 weeks later LOL. Life is NOT fair. But don't make excuses, do something about it! I started my own company, kept hustling and kept going. I don't even have a CS degree either! Nobody is going to do this except ourselves. I've been kicked down so many times that it genuinely gets old, and I just don't care anymore as I'm numb and bitter. People shouldn't be given things strictly for existing, they need to work for it. I watched all of my classmates get jobs while I was long last to get one. Then, I worked in FAANG and a few unicorn startups a year after my first role. It's all perspective, hard work, and mindset. Sorry, not sorry for the other commenter; this is a harsh truth of the world that you'll have to accept. I had to power through every disadvantage you could think of, disabilities, age, no degree, no network (nobody in my ENTIRE extended family has ever worked in tech, and I come from a lower-class background, too). If you want something, go get it, if you don't, learn from it, and keep going.
My point is, if we had a stronger safety net, I think we would take more risks and create more innovations.
15:51 This point is about me. Great video btw.
Hey guys this video has inspired me to do something really different. Whatever your startup idea is please leave it under my comment I am willing to sign up to all the waitlists and hear about your great ideas and products. I am also a founder in my early 20’s looking too connect with other great founders
Good stuff right here.
30+ here, dont think you cant do what 20+ can do :)
one of the best YC videos
Slow and Steady Wins
Thanks. Sharing this to my 18 years old daughter.
I really wished to hear the argument for startups for the people who don't think they'd want to do a startup at all. It seems like the space is pretty homogeneous + competing with big tech easy jobs is hard. The value proposition to not just comfortably grind for promos until saving enough to be an angel or VC isn't really there in this interest rate environment.
we need such piece for people in their 30s` pls
These are great advices!! Thanks
awesome, i have 20 and this video helped me a lot
Watching this 5 months early:D
I like that the focus on the video is on how to be successful financially and not waste your 20s
Thanks Brodies , great video
love the insights thank you for this :)
Priceless...💯
11:50 This is false, my decisions impact much more than just myself. especially if it makes my family uncomfortable or worry. that’s emotional stress on them for a decision I make. and how can I say I love them if I’m going to willingly make a decision I know will cause them to feel this way? Not to mention if I make a big mistake of any kind, they have to either sacrifice to help get me out of the mess I made or suffer by watching me suffer.
guys, i love you:), thanks
This was so good
Loved the relationship advice!
When I was 22 I've started a master's degree in sociological research. On the second year, I've met my actual girlfriend (6 years 🎉 and counting). Because I felt like like doing nothing with my time, more than just studying, thought about going abroad with a work and travel programe. Done that for 3 months in the UK, worked in catering assistance for a few months, got my confidence boosted up (and some money which I couldn't get in my country). Right after that I got a scholarship in Poland for 6 months through Erasmus, which was great in terms of studying and travelling. Got back home in 2020, when the covid strike in. That just canceled my USA work & travel plans, which we paid for almost 700$ :(. Since than, I switched a few back office jobs, which brought me lots of low salaries and frustration. Now I wanna get on a naval cruise job, get some money and save them, to go abroad (thought about Denmark) and start a Uni and life all over again :). Does this sound like a feasible plan?
Well… if you get a job at IBM, it is VERY likely you will manage to stay if you self improve throughout your career. So not sure what your point is there. Risk is good for those in the 1st world with an already well established situation, and very stupid for anyone else. Risk is only good for someone who hasn’t gone through much, especially for rich or upper middle class kids. The rest don’t really need it, best if they take the conservative path, and they will be so rich and mentally stable in their 30s that they can EASILY take risk, versus when they’re broke in their 20s and have their parents depending on them getting on their feet. Pretty strange video in terms of how biased the discussion is.
Great pieces of advice!
1:50 best advice
If your 20’s are so important, then wouldn’t that make the stakes high by definition? Wouldn’t that mean we shouldn’t take risks at all? If we take a risk and fail, wouldn’t that significantly alter our career trajectory for the worse compared to if he hadn’t taken a risk at all?
When it comes to your peers: "Show me your friends, and I'll show you your future."
Great advice. Thanks gents
Need more videos like these.
This is great !
How do they imagine changing to a different city where you have to pay bills by yourself but quitting your job for a business idea, i mean, maybe i'm too narrwominded but, how possible is it?
Awesome conversation.
Respect to Micheal for Relationships talk
Amazing advice!
thats exactly what i needed thank you entrepreneur avengers
Those who are sick at a young age would for sure wish that they would simply enjoy their life in their 20s.