Wednesday, June 26, 2013

101 Secrets for Your Twenties

Disclosure: The author of the book I'm referencing in this post mailed me a free copy of his book and asked that I write about it if I liked it, with the full understanding that I was under no obligation to write about it, especially if I didn't like it. Turns out, I loved it and wanted to share it with you. I was in no way paid to do this and all opinions are my own. I only share resources on this blog that I personally think will be helpful to my readers. 


I got Paul Angone's new book 101 Secrets For Your Twenties in the mail yesterday. I opened it up and read it completely in one sitting, with laughter punctuating every few minutes. 

I'm currently twenty-six, so I loved the way this book outlines the twenty-something crisis with humor and a healthy dose of reality, plus heaping helpings of hope.  

My first few years out of college left me feeling frustrated and depressed; you could often find me gorging on Oreos and Full House re-runs, wondering if I'd ever feel like myself again. 

I read a lot of books about the twenty-something crisis during that time, but none made me feel like what I was going through was part of the process of getting to where I eventually wanted to go

A lot of them felt like they were saying "yes, there is a 20-something crisis, aren't you glad everyone is miserable and it's not just you?" I wanted more. I wanted hope. I wanted something to do. I also needed to laugh. 

Paul's book will definitely make you laugh, make you feel less alone, appreciate this time of live, and give you courage to take the risks necessary to take your life where you want it to go. 

Below are some of my favorite secrets and tips in the book:

#2 The possibility for greatness and embarrassment both exist in the same space. If you are not willing to be embarrassed, you're probably not willing to be great.

#3 Making and keeping friendships in your 20s is harder than G.I. Joe's abs.

Giving everything you have to find the right job is the most important job you'll ever have.

#22 The grass is always greener on the other side, until you get there and realize it's because of all the manure.

From the "22 Signs You're Having a Quarter-Life Crisis" list: You glare at your cat as you get ready for work and say "Gosh I wish I had your life.

#43 The most dangerous job you can have in your 20s is a comfortable one. 

#99 Success in your 20s is more about setting the table than enjoying the feast.

I watched a special on TV billionaire Simon Cowell once where he was being interviewed about the unprecedented success of American Idol. He sat back in his interview chair and, looking sincere and thoughtful, told the interviewer that the best part of the experience was really the beginning, when they were working long hours, taking risks, and had no idea if what they were doing would be successful. That part, he said, was the most fun. 

Growth is painful, but looking back, even billionaires find working to make the money was way more exciting than having it.

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