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5 Life Lessons I Wish I Knew at 20: A Reflection at 33


In retrospect, life’s journey is filled with twists and turns, and the lessons we learn along the way shape our perspectives and choices. At 33 years old, I find myself reflecting on the past and contemplating the five key lessons I wish I had known at the age of 20. Join me on this journey as I share insights that could potentially spare you from making the same mistakes I did over the last 13 years.

  1. Understanding Money Better:
    Looking back, one of the primary things I would have done differently is to gain a better understanding of money. Personal finance is rarely taught in schools, leaving us unprepared for managing wealth, savings, and cultivating a healthy relationship with income and expenses. Whether adopting the conservative Dave Ramsey approach or the more risk-oriented Grant Cardone mindset, the key is to find a perspective that aligns with your financial goals and principles.
  2. Investing in High-Paying Skills:
    If I could turn back time, I would invest my time, energy, and attention into acquiring high-paying skills. In the rapidly evolving landscape of the job market, skills such as video editing, software engineering, coding, marketing, and sales hold immense value. While conventional advice often emphasizes secure job paths, the true wealth lies in entrepreneurship and cultivating skills that open doors to financial success.
  3. Taking Care of Physical Well-being:
    Physical health is wealth, a lesson that became apparent to me as I aged. If given the chance to advise my younger self, I would advocate for moderation in alcohol consumption and a greater focus on maintaining overall well-being. The mind-body connection is a crucial aspect of a fulfilling life, and investing time in healthy habits from a young age can yield long-term benefits.
  4. Embracing Humility and a Growth Mindset:
    At 20, it’s easy to feel invincible and believe we have life figured out. However, adopting humility and cultivating a growth mindset is crucial. Recognizing that we don’t know everything opens the door to continuous learning and personal development. As a 33-year-old, I value humility and the realization that there is always more to discover and understand.
  5. Trying More Things and Embracing Variety:
    Perhaps my favorite lesson learned over the years is the importance of trying new things. At 20, I wish I had been more open to diverse experiences, from rock climbing and kayaking to playing instruments and exploring unconventional paths. Embracing variety not only enriches life but also helps break free from monotonous routines, preventing the feeling of being stuck.

Life is a journey filled with opportunities for growth and learning. While I can’t go back in time, sharing these insights serves as a guide for those navigating their own paths. Embracing financial literacy, investing in valuable skills, prioritizing physical well-being, fostering humility and a growth mindset, and trying new things can contribute to a more fulfilling and successful life. As we continue to evolve, may we all find wisdom in the lessons that shape our unique journeys.

🌟 Join the Conversation:
What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s build a community of wisdom!

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Blog Optimize Your Life travel

The Benefits of Traveling: Opening Your Eyes to a World Beyond Books and TV

Traveling can be an amazing experience that offers a multitude of benefits to personal development. It has the power to open your eyes to things you might have only seen on TV or read about in books. From cultural understanding to personal growth, the advantages of exploring new places are endless. Here are some of the key benefits that I think traveling can bring to your life.

Cultural Understanding: Embracing Diversity

One of the most significant advantages of traveling is the exposure to different cultures, ways of life and some of the traditions people follow in other countries. It definitely broadens your perspective, opens your eyes and helps you understand and appreciate the diversity that exists in our world.

Personal Growth: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Traveling pushes you out of your comfort zone, leading to personal growth and self-discovery. Many of us live in our bubbles or comfort zone. By venturing into unfamiliar territories, you are challenged to adapt, problem-solve, and make decisions in new environments. It’s exciting, scary at times but in the end worth it. These experiences build resilience, confidence, and life skills that contribute to your personal development.


Jordan Tarver, one of my recent podcast guests, he and I had a great discussion on travel, getting out of our comfort zone and how it helped both of us with our perspectives on life. I highly recommend you check it out.


Education and Learning: Beyond The Classroom or Books

Travel provides a hands-on education that cannot be replicated in classrooms or through books. Checking out historical sites, or museums and art galleries if you’re into that, and natural wonders allows you to learn about different cultures, historical events, and artistic expressions and you gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the world around you.

Exposure to Different Languages

When you travel to foreign countries, you expose yourself to different languages. This exposure can be challenging but it’s an invaluable part of travel. You get to experience all the diverse ways in which people communicate, even if you have no idea what they are talking about. If you plan far enough in advance travel may even inspire you learn a new language or some basics like please, thank you, I need water, where is the restroom. Learning a new language has numerous cognitive benefits, it challenges and expands your mind, improves memory along with many other benefits.

Appreciation for Nature: Preserving Our Planet

Traveling can’t help but give you a deep appreciation for the environment. As you witness the beauty of the world firsthand, you also become pretty aware of how fragile the earth is and that we all need to do our part to protect it. It may even motivate you to be more environmentally conscious once you get back home.

Break from Routine: Rejuvenating Your Mind and Body

Amidst the demands of daily life, traveling offers a much-needed break from the every day in and out. It’s a chance to relax, and recharge. By disconnecting and checking out from work-related stress, or school or whatever you do, travel gives you a chance to renew your energy.

Memories and Life Experiences: Stories to Cherish

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of traveling is the lasting memories and life experiences you pick up. Each trip becomes a chapter in your personal narrative, enriching your life with stories and adventures. The moments you capture, the people you meet, the food you tasted and the challenges you overcome all contribute to a tapestry of experiences that shape your character and leave an indelible mark on your soul. I myself have visited probably 15 countries at this point. These experiences will be with me for the rest of my life!

Traveling opens your eyes to the world in ways that no book or television show can fully capture. It’s an opportunity to expand your horizons, gain new perspectives, and create lifelong memories. The benefits of travel are diverse and far-reaching, from cultural understanding, personal growth, education, and so much more.

So, whether you’re planning a trip to a nearby city or planning a big adventure to a far off land, remember the incredible benefits that await you. Pack your bags, open your mind, and prepare to be immersed in the wonders of the world. The journey begins now. You only get one life… You may as well live it to the fullest!