Things to do in your 20s so you're successful in your 30s. Part 1

Your 20s are a time of figuring out your blueprint for life. You’re officially an adult, moving beyond the naivety of your teenage years, but not yet entrenched in the responsibilities of adulthood. You’re launching toward your future, full of energy and possibility. But you’re also at an age where the uncertainty and heartaches of life can leave you deflated and drained. So how do you manage all these ups and downs and put yourself on a path to a fulfilling and rewarding life?

1. Discover your passions.

Your 20s are a time to discover who you are and what you care about. This is when you should be embracing big, audacious ideas and dreams, and using your passions to energize you and propel you forward.

What motivates you? What areas do you feel driven to pursue? This is the decade of your life when you should sink your teeth into projects and work that you care about. Find your purpose and pursue your dreams. You may discover that your ambitions and goals change course over time. But you have to start somewhere. Start big.

2. Build foundational life skills.

No matter what career field you’re pursuing, there are certain foundational skills that will help you succeed. We all need to learn coping skills and how to deal with uncertainty, stress and anxiety. After all, even the best-laid plans can fall through.

Too often, people in their 20s fail to learn the delicate art of respectfully disagreeing with others. You must learn how to stand your ground and defend yourself when necessary. But equally important is learning how to listen to others non judgmentally and without jumping to conclusions.

Don’t underestimate the importance of learning how to ask for what you want. If you want something, go after it, and don’t let anything hold you back. Learn how to clearly communicate your expectations and needs to other people, including friends and family.

3. Be open to different paths.

Your 20s are an important time in which to run experiments and figure out what’s important to you, and where your talents and interests intersect. It’s a time to figure out what you’re really good at. To do this, you need to be flexible and open to trying new things out.

You may think you’re cut out to pursue a particular career path, but when it comes down to it, it may not be the job for you. Or maybe you find that your ideas and personality simply mesh better with another area.

Sometimes life throws us for a loop, and we have to think on our feet and allow ourselves to find a new, and possibly even more exciting, path forward. Embrace change and make it your own. Be open to new opportunities and trying out new things.

4. Network.

Strategic networking is a key driver behind increased salaries and career advancement, yet many of us spend our 20s networking haphazardly. Now is the time to begin building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with others who can help you, and whom you can help in turn. No one becomes successful on his or her own. Our friends, colleagues, mentors and acquaintances play important roles in helping us find opportunities.

Approach networking with a plan of action. Ask yourself who you should be meeting. Who are the people that can help you reach your career goals? And what talents and skills do you have to offer them that sets you apart from others?

5. Learn to manage your money.

Your 20s are filled with making big life choices. Will you go to college? What career path will you pursue? But there’s one crucial life choice often overlooked by young adults, and that’s money management. How you handle your money and the decisions you make regarding your finances will affect you now and for decades to come.

For example, a low credit score can keep you from goals such as buying property and attaining business loans. And debt and financial problems can lead to debilitating stress and prevent you from taking opportunities.

Learn to set a budget and control your spending. Set financial goals for yourself, such as how much you’ll put into savings and retirement funds. Doing all this will help you build credit and financial stability, which are foundational to your future success.