When I graduated college I knew it all. I was ready to take on the world, and then I got knocked down quite a few pegs when it took me 5 months to find a job.
Since that time I have learned a great deal, and I admit to not knowing half as much as I thought I knew when I graduated. But on top of learning a great deal, I’ve seen a great deal. I’ve seen my older coworkers be too comfortable in their positions, I’ve seen them take themselves too seriously, and I’ve seen them continually be out of touch with the real world. I’ve seen what it’s like to work for a large company, and I’ve seen what it has done to the creativity of my coworkers. So in their honor, I’ve compiled a list of 23 things I know at 23 that I pray I remember at 43.
- Just because your salary grows doesn’t mean your lifestyle should
- Physical fitness is the best way to mental health
- Don’t stop dreaming
- The Industrious Gain Wealth, While the Wealthy Remain Industrious
- Allow your inner Michael Scott to show Edit: I know he’s an idiot, but he always puts people first. That’s what I meant.
- Think Different
- Welcome other ideas
- Look down, that’s the furthest you’ll fall. Look up, how high will you fly?
- If you don’t let people blow you away, you’ll never be impressed
- Make time for the things you love, they make you who you are
- Laugh
- Don’t be afraid to say no
- Stay in touch with college students, they are where innovation comes from
- Dream Big
- Public Companies are where innovation goes to die
- Share ideas: If you’re scared you’re going to get screwed you’re never going to get laid
- If someone wants it more, let them have it, if you want it more, compete for it and prove it.
- Observe behavior
- Keep It Simple
- Stay flexible and open to change
- Stay Informed
- Surround yourself with those you strive to be like
- I can (still) Change the world
What do you want to make sure you remember in 20 years?
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12 Comments at "23 Things I Know at 23 That I Pray I Remember At 43"
I would agree with most of your list and I will turn 41 this year. I especially enjoyed your insight on public companies. My experience in public companies has resembled that statement on occasion. However, I don’t get the inner Michael Scott comment. I am familiar with the sitcom character and don’t feel like I have an inner Michael Scott to let show. I am big on building community and thus am always looking for ways to include others. I see Scott as someone who doesn’t know how to do that and is not willing to be introspective enough to figure out how. He’s like a bull in a china closet. He doesn’t mean any harm and yet he leaves a path of destruction in his wake.
Ha. Yes, Michael Scott is like a bull in a China Closet. By letting your inner Michael Scott show, I mean don’t forget to have fun and value people more than anything else.
Thanks for the comment!
Great post. I especially #2 (Physical fitness) and #20 (Change). Even though I’m a few years past 23, I can still use a refresher on some of these myself.
I am a big supporter of #2.
Solid post – I am building a biz w the underlying purpose being to teach young emerging leaders and entrepreneurs what no one taught me when I was 26. some of the best things you point out are to remember to have fun, remain flexible, dream big and ask questions and to stay in touch with college students because that’s where innovation is. The other thing I would include is to always talk to and form relationships with people at all levels of the organization. You can get the whole picture and ultimately provide value with your unique perspective. Stay in touch, would love to hear how things are going and what you think are really important every day. Kick it. G
I like them all. Especially #3. When you leave your twenty’s, this is the hardest thing to hang on to. Sooooo as that Fleetwood song goes “don’t stop thinking about tomorrow….it’ll be better than before…
Thanks for all the comments and support!
Hey! That’s a great list. I am 25 and guess have to practice each of them for the rest of my life!
[...] If I Knew Then What I Know Now…Reversed 5 03 2009 I saw this awesome post at Young and Frugal awhile back titled “23 Things I Know at 23 That I Pray I Remember at 43“. [...]
Stay in touch with college students, they are where innovation comes from — is a great one
Those “23 things” are really good! Everyone should follow atleast 10 of them.. I like this quote ” If you don’t let people blow you away, you’ll never be impressed” .. good and worth reading!! thanks!!!
Great list!!! I especially love the part of letting your “inner Michael Scott” show!
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