(via Brad Lomenick, http://bradlomenick.com/)
1. Use your 20’s to build a foundation for your 70’s. Create deep roots that will give you a foundation for when you are older. Finishing well means starting well.
2. Don’t worry about climbing the ladder. There’s no longer a ladder anyway. It’s more like one of those spiral staircases. And sometimes you are going across or down when you think you might be climbing. So don’t worry about it. Spend your 20’s learning and having life experiences. Travel, explore the world, take on projects that seem fun.
3. If your “career” path doesn’t make sense to anyone except for you, it’s okay. My 20’s: college at University of Oklahoma, wrangler on a guest ranch in Colorado, management consultant, business development officer, Magazine and media company, strategic business plan developer. WOW. That is all over the map. But God was orchestrating steps very clearly for what was next in my story. And continues to do so.
4. Be diligent and aggressive in developing your friendships and relationships. Create a core group of close friends who you want to do like with. This group may change a bit over the years, but it is imperative to find a circle of trust that you are committed to and they to you.
5. Figure out who you want to be, not what you want to do. Who you are is more important that what you do or where you live. Spiritually, financially, family, emotionally, relationally. Find two or three older, wise “sages” that you can learn from and count on as help.
-Brad
Thanks for the advice! I am working on no. 4 and 5 more.
Comment by Marcus Williamson - Oct 02, 2009 @ 06:09 AM
It’s never too late right? I’m reading this now and I’m 30-something. Maybe getting laid-off was a gift from God so that I can learn some things now that I didn’t learn “in my 20s”...Thanks for the advice :)
Comment by Sharon Alava - Oct 02, 2009 @ 06:15 AM
Brad,
Great stuff! So true! Looking forward to CAT09 baby!
thinkHOPE,
Mark Horrocks
Comment by Mark Horrocks - Oct 02, 2009 @ 06:15 AM
Wow, thanks…that is good stuff and as someone in my 20’s…this is stuff I’ve been thinking about.
I particularly like #5- I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to “do,” but it makes more sense to decide who I want to be and go from there.
Thanks, Brad!
Comment by Laura - Oct 02, 2009 @ 06:39 AM
Dude this is huge, thank you for sharing this.
I am 23 and am really struggling being unemployed and trying to see what God is doing in my life.
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Comment by Kyle Reed - Oct 02, 2009 @ 07:30 AM
Good thoughts Brad. I’m looking forward to the conference later this week!
Comment by Dave Hess - Oct 03, 2009 @ 01:23 PM