What Would You Tell Your Younger Self? | What I Wish I Knew at 22 Episode 282 December 9, 2022
A couple of days ago, I came across an Instagram post from an account called awake_spiritual, and it was a picture of Dwayne Johnson – The Rock, and it was called Things I Know at Age 45 That I Wish I Knew at 22.
It had a list of 14 such things. I don’t believe this is anything The Rock said, but maybe it is.
It got me thinking about what I would tell my 22-year-old self. I had a few items right away and let my brain simmer with them for a bit.
I’ve got five, and then I’ll also share all 14 that the IG post mentioned too.
What I would tell my 22-year-old self:
- Life is good. — I thought life sucks, then you die.
Life is good, and you are worthy of joy. - Nothing, I repeat, NOTHING you are worried about ends up mattering much at all.
- The only definition of what it means to be a man that matters is yours.
Whatever you are doing, that’s what a man does. - Action cures fear.
Do the things you’re afraid of. - You can be right, or you can be happy.
Please choose happy.
Things I Know at Age 45 That I Wish I knew at 22 (the original post)
- You need to start.
This is your only life. It’s too short to keep putting off doing what you want to do. Live your life for you, not anyone else. - Your environment is crucial.
Regardless of how disciplined or motivated you are. If you’re in the wrong environment, you’ll never get anything done. - Be ready to pivot.
Things change, plans fall through, and life happens. Be ready and willing to pivot when chasing your goals according to the feedback you’re getting. - Books are mental masturbation.
I love reading, and I love learning. But too much reading and not enough doing is just like binge-watching YouTube.Read, apply, repeat.
–I disagree with this. Calling something mental masturbation means it is a waste of time to me. I’d tweak things and say Never Stop Learning. - You need to be selfish.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. So be selfish, fill your cup first and then you can be selfless and pour into others. - The gym is preparation.
In the gym, your mind is telling you to quit the whole time. By not quitting, you’re building your mental fortitude and resilience in preparation for life. - You can’t stop learning.
The moment you stop learning, you stop progressing. Acquire new knowledge, learn new skills, apply, progress, repeat. - Not everyone wants you to win.
Learn to recognize those that truly want the best for you and those that don’t. Cut the latter out. - Risk is a part of life.
Whether you’re taking a new job, starting your own business, or moving to a new country. Anything that has the potential to improve your life involves risk. Embrace it. - Challenge your beliefs.
Why do you believe something? Because your parents told you? Because the news told you? Challenge what you believe, be willing to listen to opposing opinions, and always be ready to learn.
— I’d add, be willing to be wrong. In fact, embrace being wrong. Celebrate discovering you were wrong about anything. - Money can buy happiness.
Money can buy your time freedom, location freedom, and most importantly the opportunity to do what actually makes you happy..
— I’d say Money buys freedom. - You need discomfort.
Whether it’s physical discomfort in the gym or mental discomfort when chasing your goals. Embracing discomfort is the key to long-term fulfillment.
— I say, Comfort is death. Everything you truly want is outside of your comfort zone. - Failure isn’t final.
Failure is nothing but a sign telling you which direction not to go. Stop treating it like a never-ending red light.
— Yup. Do what you fear AND Fall down seven times, get up eight. - Consistency always wins.
Talented but not consistent? You’ll fail. Hard-working but not consistent? You’ll fail. So long as you have consistency – you’ll win (eventually).
–Play the long game.
Listen here:
Maybe you agreed with most, maybe with none. I don’t care. I do care that you take a few minutes to think about this for yourself.
What would you tell 22-year-old you? Or if you are a young man, what would you tell your 16-year-old self? Don’t let the ages mentioned be your excuse not to do this.
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