It’s easy when you are in your 20s to believe that you have all the time in the world. And it’s true; in some ways, you do have a lot of time. You are young. But what if you accept the idea that what you do in your 20s really matters? How would that change the decisions you’re making for your life now?
You Can Benefit from Growth Personally and Financially
When you truly understand how things work, such as health and finance, you have lots of time to benefit from growth. Just like compound interest will grow your retirement savings to greater heights when you start in your 20s than if you start later, so will investing in your health today. The reason is that they both benefit from compounding.
For example, if you eat a healthy balanced diet right now in your 20s, and exercise daily too, there is no doubt that you’re going to be a healthy weight when you’re in your 30s. If you also decide to invest 10 percent of your income in your retirement, you’re really going to notice the difference in your 30s as you watch your money grow.
You Will Set Your Financial and Work-Life on Course
When you’re aware in your 20s that you need to work toward something career-wise and financially, you’re going to set the tone for later years. If you’ve done a good job keeping jobs, advancing up, and learning new skills with each passing year, you’re more likely to have a more satisfying career by the time you’re in your 30s than if you just go with the flow without a plan.
For example, the first job you get out of school has a lot more to do with your future salary and job satisfaction than you may realize right now. For this reason, you may not want to work in jobs that make you miserable or that you don’t enjoy, so that you can use your 20s to build what you do want and value.
You’ll Set in Motion Building and Experiencing Fulfilling Relationships
People in their 20s are less likely to marry today than at any time in history. Because of this, it gives you more time to figure out what type of relationship you want. When you know what type of life you want to live and what type of relationship you want to have before you even meet your spouse, it’ll make it easier for you to make good choices.
For example, if you’ve taken the time to define what type of marriage you want, or what type of friends you want (and the type you want to be), then when you meet people you have a place from which to judge if it’s a fit or not. That way, you’re not just letting things happen and you’re ensuring that they happen in the way that you need.
The truth is, using your 20s in a productive and intelligent way that takes care of today, while also advancing your future instead of just existing and surviving, can make a huge difference in your overall happiness, health, and success. Claim what’s yours by taking care of the things you have control over today so that tomorrow is just as wonderful.
