How I Rescued My 20s - 20 things I wish I learned sooner

So I am 27. Jeez, I'm getting old. However, I think 27-year-old Zach is hugely different from 21-year-old Zach and tremendously different in a better way. In this video, I'll give you the 20 most important things I learned in my 20s (so far).

Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro
1:07 Your 20s Matter
1:47 Savings Won't Make You Rich
3:21 Teach Yourself Anything
4:10 Find a Mentor
5:42 Succeed Efficiently
7:15 Small Changes
7:54 Be Brave
9:41 Avoid Underemployment
10:50 Say No.
11:51 Say I Don't Know
13:17 No One Cares
14:11 Learn to Adult
14:48 Don't Complain
16:05 Consistent Sleep
16:54 Five People
18:00 Read More
19:02 Do it Now
20:31 Don't Take it Personally
23:00 Healthy Body & Mind
23:52 All Shall Pass
24:44 Outro

Work Cited:
2. The Defining Decade book
5. Hölzel, Britta K., et al. “Stress reduction correlates with structural changes in the amygdala.” Social cognitive and affective neuroscience 5.1 (2010): 11-17.
6. Pruessner, Jens C., et al. “Self-esteem, locus of control, hippocampal volume, and cortisol regulation in young and old adulthood.” Neuroimage 28.4 (2005): 815-826.
7. Kelley GA, Kelley KS. Exercise and sleep: a systematic review of previous meta-analyses. J Evid Based Med. 2017 Feb;10(1):26-36. doi: 10.1111/jebm.12236. PMID: 28276627; PMCID: PMC5527334.

Editor: Martino Gasparrini
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Who am I:

[bryanfeliciano]

I felt the exact same way at 22, so I taught myself programming and after 16 months I landed a blockchain job . Be prepared to feel disappointed and worthless at times but keep pushing trough until you make it, that's just how life is .

[BigDawgCAM]

As a fellow 27-year-old, I'm starting medical school next month thanks to advice from individuals like you. Thanks a ton, and keep it up!

[baoluong]

So I've written down the main key points. Hope this helps:
1. My 20s matter
2. Saving won't make me rich but investing in learning, overall habits like sleep habits consistently,
3. Find an appropriate mentor, and ask them how to do things you want
4. Succeed efficiently, always ask the questions what I can gain out of doing that thing
5. Small repetitive changes > success not occasionally big changes, 30 mins exercising, 30 mins reading
6. Avoid underemployment --> avoid jobs you won't gain anything out of it
7. Say no 95% of the times that won't matter
8. Say I don't know - No one care so just do it
9. Learn to adult - not complaining
10. Surround yourself with the people have an influence around you
11. Read more
12. Just do it - apply jobs, learn to code (do something) - just start
13. Don't take it personally - insults are not personal, the person who make it are talking about himself/herself
14. Cultivating a healthy mind. Achieving mindfulness - doing meditation - getting outside more- mind and body in good shapes
15. All shall pass - even if you fail, it doesn't matter. It doesn't mean the world will end, but it does matter if you can see how can you improve out of it

[GLamoRousCooKie]

It's the opposite for me. I turned 27 not too long ago, I'm a med student (or was - I graduated a year ago) and I'm the most miserable I've ever been. Until now (with the exception of years 19-21 when I was clinically depressed) my life was put together. I was in med school, doing great, ambitious, etc. I'm a junior doctor now. Despite that I feel completely lost in life, I feel like a failure, my life is a mess because I'm disorganized and my ambition is almost gone. I feel like I wasted my 20's studying. I'm falling back into depression. Hopefully I can somehow pull through, idk. I guess I'd like to believe everyone's timeline is different. Comparison is the theft of life. Don't feel like you have to have your shit together in your 20's. Or your 30's. Or any age. Just enjoy life, take repsonsibility but live in the moment.

[khalilahd.]

This is actually so so helpful. I’m currently 25 and I feel like how you did when you were 23 so this guidance is much needed 😅🙏🏽

[DustyFirefly]

At first this video made me feel extremely depressed...
being almost 32, no degree, no relationships, working retail,
and being addicted to wasting time. However...

I thank you. This video presents ways that anyone can move
forwards regardless of age. One can highlight their own strengths and weaknesses
using this information as a way to build themselves up.

I am not brave yet. My mind is currently weak. I may have missed out on many opportunities.
I just hope I will be able to follow through and not burn out trying to build myself up.
Again, thank you.

[MDobri-syce]

I made changes in my life mentally and physically. Like stop playing victim, wanting certain things but never putting in the work, being afraid to try new things, and staying in toxic or co-dependent relationships because it was "comfortable" when, I was 21 when college started. 12 years, later, a completely changed person and cutting out certain habits and replacing them with better one's. For example, I decided to un-follow many daily gaming streamers because, I was getting distracted. I had a few slip ups a few months ago but now, don't even miss it!

[ianandres]

I'm turning 27 this year. Still have no degree, I only finished a 2 year associates, my job sucks, and I have no legit social life. But one thing that makes me proud is the fact that I'm striving and thriving to reach my goals and save my 20s. 💙✌️

[TheFiestafan]

Literally the best ‘20 lessons from my 20’s’ video on the web.

So practical, useful, realistic and relatable.

[daniellebee]

Just turned 25, and I can relate to your points, and appreciate you sharing this. It's wild how much time people in their 20s spend thinking about if we're utilizing our 20s to our advantage or wasting it.

[SilverXT]

I'm 29 and made the decision to change my pathway. Prioritize work less and enjoy life while I can still move. You never know when u get too old to move. Before I worked my butt off to be successful, but realized it was too repetitive and I was draining my mental and physical health. So I'm moving on to fulfill myself and not others

[jodisoakenwolf]

Watching this in my 50s while taking time out at home to deal with a wait cause by B5 for my neurology surgery. Instead of complaining I'm enjoying the time for self care. It's giving me time to mentor those I care about. Eating well, up at 4:30 still learning Japanese for medical interpretation. It's never to late to improve one's own life. No one else will do it for you. Life without procrastinating is living.

[voodooblue]

Bro, I just realized us 90s kids are getting old so fast and kids born in 2000 are 22 this year.

[seysik]

I am 22 now, I feel stuck in the middle of nowhere and i have anxiety about future and confused about life in general. And i know i lack discipline and consistency. I start something but I find myself not completing it. And my sleep schedule is messed up. I honestly don't know how am I going to reset and rebuild a new life and i don't know why I wrote this now. These are some of the valuable lessons that life taught you. Thankyou for sharing these life saving tips Zach.

[evazolota-avdeenko]

I am 16 and you calmed me down.I feel now that being at the adult age doesn’t mean that u have to be a perfect person.People in their 20s and 30s etc. can also be lost in the life and can overcome themselves than.Things you said have so much sense. You didn’t just share your stories-you saved a lot people from doing such mistakes and from feeling anxious about themselves.Thank you!

[joshuafreeman]

I agree with everything on the list except for saving. It is important to save a decent amount (10-20 percent), and with compounding interest you can amass a large amount of money in the future that can make you financially independent. 20s is the best time for saving!

[goldenkeys]

I’m 26 years old and a final year medical student in Chicago, applying derm. I think the “do it now” tip is what resonates with me the most. Applying this principle has alleviated a lot of decision fatigue which lessened my anxiety. You’ve definitely inspired me to say yes to the things I’ve always wanted (spin instructor, YouTube channel, and swiping right on dating apps lol) congrats on choosing IM!

[AshSenpai]

I’m turning 20 this month and this video truly helps me to think more wide, to think outside the box. Thank you for this.

[CamillyyB]

This was great. As humans we are constantly evolving, but I think that in your 20s specifically that change is especially rapid and can be overwhelming (at least it has been for me). Just in the small part that you share on YouTube your growth is apparent, and I’m really happy that you embraced your struggles and found your way so that you can now share what you’ve learned and positively impact others :)

[JakeGoodmanMD]

Loved watching this. Keep doing your thing man. Proud Jeff Alum here 🙏🏼