{"id":32160,"date":"2021-04-07T11:55:19","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T15:55:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=32160"},"modified":"2021-04-19T21:24:33","modified_gmt":"2021-04-20T01:24:33","slug":"how-to-make-the-most-of-your-twenties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-make-the-most-of-your-twenties\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make the Most of Your Twenties: A Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you want to know how to make the most of your twenties What are the steps you can take to make sure you have a good future?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your 20s can be challenging for many reasons, and you may be wondering how to make the most of your twenties so that you build toward success. Author of The Defining Decade<\/a><\/em> Meg Jay offers some ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to find out how to make the most of your twenties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How to Make the Most of Your Twenties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few steps according to Meg Jay that can help you learn how to make the most of your twenties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Work is an important part of learning how to make the most of your twenties. To end up in a career you\u2019re happy with down the road, you need to make difficult choices<\/a> now\u2014and the sooner you start, the better. Without purposeful planning, it\u2019s easy to live day-by-day and put off the difficult tasks of making meaningful career choices. The following guidelines explore ways you can begin to craft a fulfilling work<\/a> life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have a Productive Identity Crisis<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

An \u201cidentity crisis\u201d is a period of youthful exploration during which a person can collect experiences and try out different paths in life without risk or obligation. <\/strong>It\u2019s an important step toward developing an identity, and it has two main elements: reflection, through which you are thoughtful and aware of your life, and action, through which you collect experiences that help you learn about yourself. This collection of experiences becomes your \u201cidentity capital.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your identity capital<\/a> is the collection of things you\u2019ve done long enough or well enough that they become part of who you are<\/a>. <\/strong>It\u2019s the intangible currency we use to obtain jobs and relationships, and it includes your schools, clubs, jobs, hobbies, degrees, and experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When having an identity crisis<\/a>, many people focus more on the reflection piece than the action part, but it\u2019s those who strike a good balance between the two who\u2019ll end up with stronger identities and be more satisfied with their lives: better able to manage stress, more in control of their future, and find themselves following more original, unique paths. Seek out opportunities that will give you meaningful experiences you can learn from. Volunteer with a charity, work as an intern in an industry you\u2019re interested in, or take classes in something you might like to pursue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pursue Weak Ties <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Your identity, and your identity capital, is determined in large part by the people in your life. Though you may feel most comfortable around people you have strong ties with, it\u2019s your weak ties that are most likely to actually help you move forward in your pursuits. Because those you share strong ties with are so similar to you, they have nothing new to add to your journeys, either in work or love. People with whom you have weak ties, though, can give you access to information and people you don\u2019t otherwise know. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best ways to begin the process of establishing an adult life is to reach out to those weak ties for information and possible opportunities. A great way to approach a weak tie<\/a> is to ask her for a small, interesting, specific, and easy-to-accomplish favor.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When approaching someone for a favor, whether it be a letter of recommendation, an introduction, or an informational interview, follow a few guidelines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n