Comment from Jason: Today I’m happy to post a Guest Post By Molly Barnes from Digital Nomad Life. I spent much of my younger years thinking about all the things I wanted to do, and now at the age of 41, I regret not doing them. In the article below, Molly gives us some food for thought!
All too often, people become stuck in their day-to-day routine, never branching out to partake in new life experiences. Sustaining a lifestyle is certainly a way to survive, but it will never allow you to grow and reach your true potential. When you are in your 20s and 30s, it is the perfect time to take some risks that could pay off significantly in the future. Envision yourself taking risks in any of the following areas.
Travel Often
Experiencing the world and different cultures will not only give you new life experiences, but also can help you grow your career. Visiting new countries gives you the opportunity to meet new people and learn about new cultures. Cultivating an appreciation for other people around the world will make you a better-rounded person, and can impact the way you approach different situations in life.
Travel can cost a fortune though, although it doesn’t have to. It can be done on a budget, especially when you’re younger and healthier, and don’t require as many creature comforts while traveling. When trying to save money, consider using alternative transportation methods such as ferries, trains, or buses. Take advantage of off-season travel and accommodations rates, which can be significantly cheaper. Traveling in your 20s and 30s gives you the chance to see the world without the damper of too many financial responsibilities waiting for you at home.
Move for a New Job
While it certainly can be comfortable to stay in a city you’re accustomed to, it’s not always the smartest choice financially. Moving to a new city to start an exciting new job can present exactly the boost your career needs to reach exciting new heights.
It is a good idea to move when you’re still young because you have yet to fully root yourself in any one place. Many smaller cities, can offer perfect choices for relocation — like Tampa, for example, with its low cost of living and booming STEM market. Not only will moving to a new city help propel your career, but it also can help save money on rent and commuting.
Seek Adventure
Try something new! Break out of the mold! Do something scary you’ve never done before! Whether it’s something physical, like tackling a daunting hike, or something mental, such as finally giving a speech in public, doing something outside your comfort zone will help build your confidence.
By pushing through situations where you feel uncomfortable, you’ll teach yourself that you can do anything you put your mind to. And you’ll likely be surprised by what you learn about yourself and your capabilities. The sooner you learn these life lessons, the more time you’ll have to apply them to real-life scenarios.
Grow Your Savings
Some of us are better savers than others, and that’s all right! While you’re young, take advantage of having limited financial responsibilities and start to grow your savings. There are many online tools to help you figure your tax burden, manage savings accounts, or even start investing in the stock market.
One of the easiest ways to set some money aside is having more money deducted from your paycheck each month. The money will go toward your taxes, but anything left over comes back to you as a larger tax refund at the end of the year. With a larger year-end return, you can take advantage of some serious cash to do something you’ve always dreamed of doing, like traveling (see point #1) or even buying a home to use as a vacation rental.
Get a Degree
Probably the last thing you want to think about in your 20s and 30s is going back to school again. But sometimes pursuing a higher education degree is the best move for your career. Obtaining a master’s degree or an MBA while you’re young can help kickstart your career and make you eligible for higher-paying jobs. By earning your degree while you’re still young, you will have more time to dedicate to schoolwork and eventually more money to pay off your student debt. Many adult students are taking advantage of higher education again, and there are several programs available that offer strictly online courses or night classes offered after normal working hours.
Pursue Your Passions
If there’s something you’ve always loved to do but never got a chance, now is the time. You have every opportunity to pursue what you love while you’re young. Whether it’s taking a cooking class or learning to ski, get the wheels in motion to begin doing what you love! Your 20s and 30s are the best time to take the chance to enjoy something you love because you don’t yet have a world of responsibility weighing on your shoulders. Before you settle down later in life, you should at least be able to say you’ve pursued your passions and learned something in the process.
Forgive Yourself
Part of learning anything — be it chess, choreography, or business — is making mistakes. Life is no different. As you move through life, growing and learning, you’re going to take a wrong step and mess up from time to time. Making mistakes is how you grow as a person, and mistakes are necessary to allow you to learn.
What matters most is how you’re able to move on, learn from the mistake, and forgive yourself for it. While you’re young, be happy with who you are, and put mistakes in the past. Not only will self-forgiveness make you a more content person, but also it will help prepare you to tackle bigger challenges later in life.
Gleaning valuable experience by seeing the world, pursuing your passions, and learning to move on from mistakes will help you become a better, more well-rounded person. Get out there and live your life now!
