Let me give it to you straight because not many others will, and you need to hear this from someone who's lived through the fire, not just read about it.
If you're a man in your 20s, this decade will either set the foundation for the life you want… or bury you in distractions and regrets. That's not fear-mongering. It's the truth.
So here's what you should be doing:
1. Do Stuff. Lots of Stuff.
Try different jobs. Don't get locked into some career that you're not excited about too early. You're not supposed to "have it all figured out" yet. Get out in the world. Start a small business, work a job that interests you, lead a project, and try new things. Get your hands dirty. Every skill you learn now compounds later.
2. Learn to Speak Like a Man People Listen To.
Forget charisma and fancy vocabulary. Speak clearly, with purpose and conviction. Practice out loud. Record yourself. Join a speaking group. Speak in front of people, even if it makes you sweat. Confidence in communication will raise you above 90% of your peers. Learn to lead with your words.
3. Stop Comparing Yourself.
That guy you think has it all together? He doesn't. He's winging it too. The polished image on social media is likely a mask. Focus on your lane and keep moving forward.
4. Lift Weights—Not Your Ego.
Build muscle, build strength. It's your armor for life. But don't let your ego push you into injury. Trust me, I know. I partially tore my right pec, trying to max out my bench. (Nobody cares about your bench by the way) You don't need to deadlift a car. Focus on longevity, not vanity lifts. Walk daily. Sprint sometimes. Movement is medicine.
5. Soak in the Sun and Breathe Fresh Air.
Get outside. Vitamin D, circadian rhythm, mental clarity, this isn't just longevity guru talk. It's biology. Nature can do wonders. Use it.
6. Start Something. Anything.
Try a side hustle. Start a business. You don't need a perfect plan, start. Fail. Learn. Iterate. That's how you build. You might never succeed, but the education in the real world will be worth it. Take control of your destiny
9. Learn to Manage Money.
Track your spending. Save more than you spend. Learn basic investing. Avoid credit card debt like it's poison, because it is. Study from experts and learn as much as you can. Don't listen to the hype; seek out professionals.
10. Stay Away from Drugs and Alcohol.
You don't need it. Period. What most people call "partying" is just slow self-destruction. The decision to avoid these evils early can pay huge dividends later in life.
11. Eat Like You Respect Your Body.
Protein, eggs, fruits, vegetables. Cut the junk: breads, cookies, processed slop. Treat your body like a well-oiled machine, not a garbage can.
12. Don't Waste Fridays and Weekends.
Use that time to build. Read. Train. Work on Something meaningful. You don't need another drink. You need discipline. This is the time to move your dreams forward and focus on what matters in life.
13. Don't Do Stupid Stuff.
You're not impressing anyone by taking dumb risks. You're just shortening your life. Be smart. Be calculated. Be in control.
14. Drop the Pressure to Fit an Image.
Nobody's thinking about you as much as you feel. They're too busy worrying about themselves. Focus on your growth. Build your life. Create your version of success.
14. Find God.
This is the most important part. I’ve been a believer my whole life, but it wasn’t until I faced vicious attacks against my family, my business, my soul that I truly realized: Jesus was there. Right there. In the darkest moments, He didn’t flinch. We won by standing tall and strong together.
You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be focused.
Drifting through your 20s might feel like freedom. It’s not. It’s a trap. One day you wake up in your 30s wondering where the time went and why nothing feels solid.
Get right with God now. Don’t wait for the storm to figure out who you are. Be kind. Be sharp. Be relentless.
And most of all, start today.