第2章 做自己想做的人 (2)

When you finally do get a girlfriend, take it easy. Along the same line as not trying to grow up too quickly, don't fall into the trap of thinking that this is the best girl you'll ever get. The second biggest turnoff for a girl is an 18 year old guy who's already thinking about marriage.

Relax a little and enjoy the moment. Besides, you're going to have several girlfriends before you find “the one.” How are you going to be able to know what you want if you don't have anything to compare it to?

As you get older, you'll naturally become more attractive to women. I had no idea this was true when I was your age. I thought that I was as attractive as I'd ever be. Not true.

It gets easier, I promise.

Don't Get a Credit Card

If I didn't get a credit card when I was your age, I would have saved myself 10 years of financial struggle.

I know it seems like you have to be a grown up and have nice things, but you've got to think long-term. If you can just have the patience to hold off a few years on the nice stuff, you'll be able to afford more of it than you can imagine.

Buying something today on credit because you can't wait will impact your financial situation for years to come.

Simply have the mind to save up for what you want to buy. If you buy with cash, you'll always own what you have, and be free to do what you want.

When people build up debt and monthly payments, they become slaves to their job. They have to work to pay for all the junk that they put on their credit cards.

Put Money Away Every Month

Take this advice and you'll never regret it. Open a savings account and set up an automatic withdrawal from your checking account each month. Don't touch the money, NO MATTER WHAT！

Even if you can only afford $10 a month, you must stick to this plan because it's your ticket to freedom. In five or ten years (whenever you decide to grow up), you'll use this money to invest in something that makes passive income, like real estate.

Travel and Learn a Language

Don't just take language classes and backpack around Europe at a furious pace; immerse yourself in a culture. Pick a place and stay there for several months.

The best time to do this is the year after you graduate from college. You'll be old enough to appreciate the experience, but young enough that you won't have any responsibility.

If you took my advice about taking your time to grow up, you won't yet be attached to a mortgage payment, a job, or a girl. Move all your stuff into a corner of your parent's basement and live abroad.

It's actually a lot more affordable that you might think especially if you don't have any expenses at home. Get a job in your chosen country if you need to.

Don't allow yourself to hang out with other English-speaking people. That's too easy. Force yourself to learn the language. It will be frustrating at first, but the life-long benefit will be greater than you can imagine.

Keep a Journal

Get a Moleskin Notebook and carry it in your back pocket wherever you go. Don't be a perfectionist with it; just jot whatever comes to your mind in it.

Having a journal will help to solidify your thoughts. The act of writing helps to close the circle of ideas from your head to your hand and back to your head.

Plus, you'll have a record of your thoughts for generations to come.

Get to Know People

As you travel and try new things, make it a point to meet people. As I said before, the most valuable things in life are shared experiences with other people.

There is so much you can learn from people. Open your mind and take in different perspectives. Put yourself in their shoes and try to understand why they think the way they do.

Your success in life will depend on your network of people. It's impossible to achieve success in a vacuum. You never know what opportunities will present them when you meet new people.

There's No Rush to Have it All Figured Out

When I was your age, I felt pressure to have my life's purpose figured out. I think a lot of young people think there's something wrong with them if they haven't “found themselves” by age 22.

Most people don't figure things out until much later in life (if at all). That's what your twenties are for: exploring different paths, making mistakes, falling on your face, and building your character.

Take your time figuring it all out. You don't want to rush such a grand decision as your life's purpose.

Savor the Moment

Experience the textures, sights, sounds, and feelings of each moment. Time moves faster than you think. Your youth is special and you'll want to remember it for the rest of your life.

Start Businesses without Borrowing Money

When you decide to start a business, don't go into debt over it. Most businesses fail, and it's better to be left with nothing than to not have anything and still owe someone else money.

Pick a business that doesn't cost much to start and grow slowly, reinvesting your earnings.

Choose a business that's as passive as possible. Bulk vending is a good one to start with while you're young.

Stay away from services. I made the mistake when I was your age of starting a T-shirt design service. The problem with services is that you have to re-create your work if you want to get paid again. Find something that pays you over and over for work done once.

Pick Something and Stick With It