I wrote this email a few months ago, and it got an incredible response.
It’s all about the stuff I wish I had known 10 years ago.
I think you’ll dig it.
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If I had to give my younger self a few pieces of advice, it would be this…
– Focus on one thing when you’re starting out. Whether that’s copywriting, Facebook ads, email or whatever. Don’t hop around from idea to idea. Get really damn good at one thing.
– Once you make decent money, don’t start spending all of it. Your expenses can go up a little, but they shouldn’t go up at the same rate that your income goes up. That’s how you wind up making $200,000 a year and living paycheck to paycheck.
– Don’t try to be a lone wolf. Meet other people in business, and ask how you can help them. Your relationships in this business last for years. Don’t try to do it on your own.
– Invest early. If you start investing at 24, instead of 34, it makes a MASSIVE difference due to the compound interest. Stick a portion of your income into an index fund every month and just let it grow.
– Go to therapy. Seriously. Learn about your emotions, and all of the childhood shit that’s running your life. You’ll be much more aware because of it.
– Money is great, but it won’t fill that feeling of “not being enough”. I tried to fill that hole for 33+ years with money, women and buying things. All those things are great, but if you’re looking for them to fix you, it won’t happen. Enjoy the money, but don’t look for it to fulfill you.
– Find things you truly enjoy and keep doing them. As you get older, you stop doing stuff that you like. If you like basketball, keep playing basketball. Too many guys I know turn into zombies where the only thing they spend time on are their kids and work. You have to still do things you love.
– Eat foods that agree with you. I used to eat like complete shit when I was younger. Nothing but snacks, ice cream, pasta. When I finally started eating real, whole foods I felt worlds better.
– Make fitness a regular part of your life. I used to hate working out. But then I started a real strength program when I was about 26, and got hooked. Seeing the weights go up each week was motivating for me. Now I truly enjoy working out. Find some form of fitness that you actually like, and stick with it.
– Make mistakes while you’re in your 20’s. That’s what your 20’s are for. Try different things. Date different women. I’m a firm believer that getting married in your early 20’s is a bad idea for most people. You don’t even know who you are at that age. Try a lot of things and see what you like.
– A lot of people are going to try to get you to fall into the traditional route of school -> marriage -> kids -> house. If that appeals to you, then by all means, do it. But don’t let tradition dictate what you do. Don’t feel like you’re doing something wrong for not following that path.
– On that same note, the people closest to you will probably have the least faith in you as an entrepreneur. My mom never supported me being an entrepreneur, and in fact was downright hostile about it. I now realize that was all about HER and had nothing to do with me. If you’re trying to do something out of the “norm” the people closest to you might not be supportive.
– Find a mentor. Do whatever it takes. Work for free if you have to. Find someone who is doing what you want to do, and learn everything you can from them.
– Allow yourself to be vulnerable, and share who you are. I was so closed off and angry in my early 20’s. I was wearing a “mask” and not letting anyone see the real me. You can’t make real connections with people if you don’t let them see the real you. Try to open up and let people see the real you…flaws and all.
There ya go…
That’s the advice I’d give to 25-year-old Justin if I saw him today.
I’m not sure he would understand all of that.
But it would be good for him to hear.
I’m curious, what’s a piece of advice you wish someone would have told you when you were younger?
Feel free to reply to this and let me know.
I’m interested to see the replies.
– Justin
If you want to hear more from Justin, he has a private email list for top marketers, copywriters and business owners. To apply to be on the email list simply click the button below that says “apply now”.
