How To Make The Most Out of Your 20s

Intro (0s)

• The concept of considering the worst-case scenario is introduced, with the idea of thinking about what can be done if the worst happens, such as getting a job (6s).
• The hosts, Dalton and Michael, introduce themselves as the presenters of the topic "how to spend your 20s" (16s).
• The hosts acknowledge that they are no longer in their 20s, but claim to be qualified to give advice as "Elder Millennials" (24s).
• The hosts express skepticism about people on the internet having all the answers on how to live one's life (30s).
• The hosts mention that they have seen many young people at YC (likely referring to Y Combinator) become successful, and believe that there are lessons that can be learned from their experiences (41s).

Treadmill (45s)

• The concept of the "hedonic treadmill" refers to the phenomenon where people get used to new things and rewards, and they no longer feel as satisfying as they initially did, leading to a constant pursuit of new goals and desires (52s).
• This concept can be applied to people's lives, where they constantly strive for more, but never feel truly satisfied, and it can be particularly relevant in one's 20s (1m21s).
• Social media platforms like Instagram can perpetuate this idea by showcasing people's highlight reels, making others feel like they are not living up to their peers' standards and creating unrealistic expectations (1m41s).
• The constant exposure to others' seemingly perfect lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction, causing people to reevaluate their goals and aspirations (1m59s).
• There is a limited number of enjoyable experiences and rewards in life, and some people, such as those who grow up wealthy, may experience a sense of emptiness or boredom after achieving everything they wanted at a young age (2m17s).
• It is possible to "hack" the hedonic treadmill by intentionally delaying each step and not constantly seeking immediate gratification, allowing for a more fulfilling and satisfying life (2m49s).

No Speed Run (2m55s)

• It's essential to give yourself room for growth and upside in your 20s, rather than trying to achieve everything at once, as there will always be more steps to climb in the future (2m55s).
• The first place you live after college should not be significantly nicer than your dorm room, even if you can afford it, to leave yourself upside for future improvements (3m5s).
• Similarly, your first vacations and first car should not be overly luxurious, as there are many areas where it's beneficial to start with more modest choices (3m20s).
• By avoiding luxurious distractions in your 20s, you can focus on other important aspects of your life (3m39s).
• It's recommended to focus on the most challenging and intense aspects of your career early on, as you can always scale back and do less later in life (3m43s).

Hardcore Early On (3m51s)

• It is more challenging to adopt a hardcore and ambitious mindset later in life, especially if one has been in a mellow and chill mode, as it requires significant changes in behavior and attitude (3m52s).
• People are often bombarded with messages about maintaining a good work-life balance and avoiding burnout, which can be confusing and may discourage them from adopting a hardcore approach (4m11s).
• The idea that trying too hard can lead to burnout or harm is prevalent, but it is argued that being young is the best time to push oneself and take risks, as the consequences of not doing so may be more severe later in life (4m37s).
• Choosing a hardcore path early on, such as pursuing a demanding career like medicine or law, can provide more options and flexibility later in life, even if one decides to adopt a more mellow approach (4m53s).
• The same principle applies to other careers, and it is suggested that individuals who want to pursue a creative field like writing should also adopt a hardcore approach in their 20s to maximize their potential (5m19s).
• The idea of being hardcore early on is linked to the concept of not knowing one's capacity and the importance of getting used to challenges and taking risks to achieve success (5m32s).
• The 20s are also seen as an opportunity to be risk-seeking rather than risk-averse, and it is essential to contextualize how much of one's life is spent taking risks and pushing oneself (5m47s).

Risks (5m54s)

• People in their 20s are generally more willing to take risks because they don't have significant responsibilities such as kids, a mortgage, or elderly parents to care for (5m55s).
• Many individuals in their 20s are discouraged by their parents from taking career risks, with parents often advising them to avoid doing something risky, such as starting a business (6m20s).
• The fear of taking risks may be justified, but it's also based on an outdated idea that getting a job at a company guarantees lifelong employment, which is no longer the case (6m41s).
• To overcome fear and assess one's risk tolerance, it's essential to test oneself and be in uncomfortable situations, rather than just thinking about what one is capable of (7m6s).
• A helpful exercise to evaluate risk is to explicitly discuss the worst-case scenario and consider what can be done if it happens, which often makes the risk seem less daunting (7m23s).
• It's crucial to acknowledge that taking risks may not always be the best option, and individuals should carefully consider their starting conditions before making a decision (8m1s).
• Many people have the potential to be risk-seekers, but they may not realize it, or they may realize it later in life and regret not taking more risks earlier (8m10s).
• Parents often have a hard time not having a vision or expectations for their children, which can influence their advice and encouragement regarding risk-taking (8m25s).

Family (8m35s)

• It's natural to have dreams and aspirations, and it can be difficult not to feel responsible for achieving them, especially when it comes to family expectations (8m36s).
• In one's 20s, they have the opportunity to create their own plan and make their own choices, rather than simply following their parents' plan (8m46s).
• However, some people may follow their parents' plan without questioning it, and it's not until later in life, such as in their 30s, that they realize they may not have chosen the path they truly wanted (9m23s).
• It's essential to take the time to think about what one wants in life and to question their plan, rather than simply going through the motions (9m34s).
• The people one surrounds themselves with, or their peers, can also have a significant influence on their personality and choices (9m45s).
• One's personality is shaped by the people they spend time with, and it's essential to be mindful of the company one keeps (9m50s).

Friends (9m54s)

• The people you spend the most time with have a significant influence on your life decisions, identity, and ideas, as you tend to soak up their thoughts and behaviors (9m54s).
• It's essential to be thoughtful about who you're spending time with and ask if they make you better, more optimistic, and inspire you to do things (10m6s).
• The people you surround yourself with can dictate your life path, and even random events like college roommate assignments can have a significant impact on the person you become (10m23s).
• You can "hack" your life by choosing to spend more time with people who align with the person you want to be, which can be achieved by changing your social circle, job, or living location (10m35s).
• Surrounding yourself with people who share similar interests and goals, such as starting a business, can make those goals seem more normal and achievable (10m56s).
• Being around people with extreme views on a topic can make you think you're a centrist when you're actually an extremist, highlighting the importance of being aware of the people you surround yourself with (11m13s).
• Changing your social circle may require making significant decisions, such as moving to a new city or changing jobs, but these decisions can have a significant impact on your life (11m40s).
• One of the advantages of being in your 20s is that you can make big decisions that only impact yourself, and you have the freedom to move to a new city, country, or job without significant consequences (11m47s).
• Good friendships can survive even if you don't see or talk to each other frequently, so making changes to your life may not mean losing your close friends (12m6s).

Relation (12m45s)

• Seeking long-term relationships in your 20s is recommended as it can be beneficial for personal growth and development, especially when trying to work hard and achieve goals (12m45s).
• Having a strong partner can provide emotional support and help recharge energy levels, making it easier to tackle challenging tasks (13m7s).
• Being in stable relationships is a valuable skill to develop, as it can lead to a more fulfilling life and better prepare you for future relationships (13m19s).
• On the other hand, avoiding long-term relationships and focusing on short-term connections can be detrimental, as it can lead to unhealthy habits and make it more difficult to form meaningful relationships in the future (13m37s).
• Developing a habit of seeking stable relationships in your 20s can help you orient yourself towards your long-term goals, such as starting a family, and avoid creating emotional "debt" that can be harder to overcome later in life (14m0s).

General Public (14m26s)

• The advice provided is not limited to those who want to start a startup, but rather offers general tips that can help anyone accomplish something challenging in their life (14m27s).
• The experiences of startup founders and individuals who want to achieve something difficult share commonalities, and the strategies discussed can be applied to various situations (14m49s).
• Investments made in one's 20s, whether good or bad, can have a lasting impact for the rest of their life (14m58s).
• The idea that every door is open to individuals in their youth is not entirely accurate, as doors start closing during one's 20s, and this reality can be difficult to accept (15m10s).
• Common concerns include having debt or needing to support others, which may make the advice seem inapplicable to one's situation (15m33s).

Limits (15m45s)

• Many people face specific limitations in life, such as being stuck in a country with limited opportunities, and in such situations, putting in maximum effort is often the only way to improve one's circumstances (15m45s).
• Despite the challenges, people who remain optimistic and view themselves as agents of change, rather than victims, can achieve significant improvements in their lives by simply changing their mindset (16m20s).
• Even when faced with limitations, there are often areas in life where lessons can be applied to make things slightly better, and it's essential to identify and capitalize on these opportunities (16m46s).
• The context of YC (Y Combinator) is mentioned, where some individuals may feel disadvantaged due to not attending a good school, but it's essential to recognize that even those who did attend good schools still face challenges and have to work hard to achieve their goals (16m56s).

Good School (17m5s)

• To make the most out of your 20s, consider getting a job at a company that produces interesting work, even if it's not a tech startup, as this will allow you to meet and learn from talented people and soak up the culture (17m5s).
• Getting a job at a company with talented people can be more important than attending a good school, as many successful people in Silicon Valley did not attend a top school but were able to succeed through their skills and abilities (17m35s).
• Instead of focusing on getting a job at a big company like Facebook, try to find where the super talented people are and get yourself around them, as they may not always be at large companies (18m1s).
• Super talented people are often at the beginning of new projects or startups, where it's easier to get in and make a higher impact (18m22s).
• Working at a smaller startup can be riskier, but it can also provide opportunities to get higher up in the company and be part of the core team (18m31s).
• Examples of successful people who started at smaller companies or startups include an intern who went on to get into YC and start a successful company (18m46s).

The Game (18m56s)

• A person who made tens of millions of dollars in revenue did not attend a good school and initially worked as a security guard for a housing development (18m56s).
• The person was hired as a content moderator at a company despite having limited qualifications, with their experience as a security guard being a key factor in the hiring decision (19m12s).
• Getting into the game, or achieving success, can be as simple as getting one's foot in the door and being in the right environment, such as a startup (19m57s).
• Startups, particularly small ones, often have a more open-minded approach to hiring and may consider candidates who don't meet traditional qualifications (20m9s).
• In small startups, emails are often read by humans rather than machines, increasing the chances of getting noticed and being given opportunities (20m20s).
• When people are in startups and are desperate for talent, they are more open to giving people opportunities, making it easier to get in the game (20m34s).
• The key takeaway is to not wait until one is 30 years old to take action and make the most of their life (20m42s).

Wrap Up (20m50s)

• The 20s are a critical period in life, and years do not come back, making it essential to make the most out of this decade (20m51s).
• Life can be challenging, and it is crucial to be aware that time moves forward relentlessly (20m54s).
• Most successful people have laid the foundation for their success in their 20s (21m1s).
• It is essential to take advantage of this period to set oneself up for future success (21m3s).