- the world is trying to keep you stupid: from bank fees to miracle diets, people who aren't educated are easier to get money from and easier to lead. educate yourself as much as possible for wealth, independence, and happiness. (which leads me onto my next point)
- do not have faith in institutions to educate you. (read my views on this here) by the time they build the curriculum, it’s likely that the system is completely outdated– sometimes utterly broken. you both learn and get respect from people worth getting it from by leading and doing, not by following.
- read as much as you can. this can be anything from newspaper articles, to blogs to Jacqueline Wilson to Aristotle's life teachings.
- connect with friends & family, all the time. but be genuine about it.
- don’t waste time being shy. shyness is the belief that your emotions should be the arbitrators of your decision making process, when the opposite is actually true.
- have as much contact as possible with older people. this is so valuable because people your age don’t usually have the decision-making ability to help you very much. i've definitely learnt this from my friends. also older people know almost everything you'll learn later, this includes your parents, so respect the advice they give you (even if it's unwanted) in hindsight it will be very insightful.
- always strive to be better. continuously attempt to be 'cooler' than the people around you (by doing fun things, being more laid back, accepting, ambitious, etc.)
- don't be afraid to take risks, you'll always remember the things you did do rather than the things you didn't. give the old age you something to look back on and laugh at when you think of the stupid and maybe irresponsible things you did.
- save like you're broke, until you can spend like you're rich - reduce all expenses as much as possible. seriously (i'm still learning how to do this) this will create a little nesteg of money allowing you to do the crazier shit aforementioned. a helpful system to allow you to do this would be: bills first, save second, spend last.
- instead of getting status and approval through objects, which provide only temporary boosts, do it through experiences. a trip to Paris is a far better choice than a new wardrobe (personally anyway).
- learn to cook (currently in progress). this will make everything much easier, turning food from a chore as well as an expensive habit into a pleasant and frugal one, in aid of the above point.
- sleep well: the 'i can sleep when i’m dead' attitude is counterproductive. sleep deprivation slows your mind, meaning whatever you think you can accomplish on insufficient energy levels will be rushed and a half-assed effort.
- get a reminder app for everything. i don't trust my mind to remember everything, since using a reminder app my life has been far more fulfilled and productive. i use the default reminder app on my iPhone.
- set goals for yourself. five year plans freak me out as i'm a bit of a rolling stone, but setting myself a goal or a couple, gives me a direction, without one i know i'll end up doing absolutely nothing with my life because i can't do everything at once, which leads me onto my last point.
- pick something you want to do and stick to it. spend a few years doing that instead of flapping around aimlessly, at least this way you can accomplish at least one desired thing and move onto something different once you're fulfilled. this way i know i can spend my life enjoying each adventure without wasting time in between, ending up not accomplishing the things i wanted to.
Labels: advice, happiness, youth
