30 changes to make in your 20s to set yourself up for lifelong success (2023)

1. Start writing down your goals

Toward the end of his 20s, Quora user Dirk Hooper started envisioning his ideal lifestyle five, 10, and 20 years down the road.

To ensure that he wasn't just fantasizing, he wrote down what he hoped to achieve and how he might get there.

"The act of writing your goals and dreams do[es] a couple of things for you," Hooper writes. "It forces you to nail down what's really in your mind, and it gives you a tangible record that you can refer to over time."

There's research to back up Hooper's theory. In one study, college students were instructed to write down a path toward achieving their future goals. Unsurprisingly, many of those goals involved finishing their education. Results showed that students who completed the writing exercise were more likely to stay in school than those who didn't do the exercise.

2. Start letting go of your ego

A number of Quora users mentioned some variation on the idea that you shouldn't let pride or vanity get in your way, and you should stay open to alternate viewpoints.

Michael Elijah writes:"Learn how to kill your ego. It blinds and fetters us from possibility and progress. Learn how to burst your bubble with simple questions [such] as, 'What if things aren't what they seem to be?' and vitally, 'What if I am wrong?'"

3. Start reading a lot

After college, Hooper realized there was still a lot he didn't know.

"So, I became a voracious reader," he said. "I engaged in a campaign to educate myself on any subject that inspired me. One book led to another. Over the years I've learned 10 times more than I ever learned in high school or college."

We're not advocating autodidactism over formal education, but reading is a great way to learn more about topics that aren't necessarily covered in class. Get started with this list of 30 books to read before turning 30.

4. Stop trying to live someone else's life

It's tempting to use other people's expectations and values as the yardsticks by which you measure your own accomplishments. But doing so can prevent you from ever feeling truly fulfilled.

Here's Franklin Veaux:

If there's one thing you can do that will help more than anything else, it's this: Live life on your own terms. Don't do things because you think you 'should.' Don't do what other people tell you to do. Don't do what society expects you to do. Don't sit around waiting to start living your life. This life belongs to you and to nobody else. You will not get a chance to do it again. Live it on your terms.

5. Stop feeling bad about the past

In response to the question, "What should one do in their 20s to avoid regrets in their 30s and 40s?"several Quora users suggested that regret isn't a particularly healthy mindset.

Writes Jayesh Lalwani:

There are two kinds of people in the world: People who live their lives looking back, and people who live their lives looking forward.

You can recognize people who live their lives looking back by their heavy use of shoulda-woulda-coulda. I should have taken that job. I could have gone to that college. I would have married the girl. I could have been a contender. These people are constantly looking for things to regret. To them, life is a series of failures, and every future opportunity is a chance to [mess] up.

6. Start showing loved ones you care

"If you really care about a certain someone, make it a habit to show it,"says Christian Svanes Kolding.

"Little gestures, kind words. It's not about constant contact, but more about finding mutual ways to share your life with the people you care most about. … And if you have a partner, show your love. Take nothing for granted. Life happens."

7. Start taking care of your health

"The simplest and most important action you can take is to protect your health,"writes Andrew Solmssen. "Once it's gone, it's really hard to bring back. Most people in their 40s and beyond would trade money for health."

Exercising is especially crucial at this juncture in your life. If you start early, you'll establish the habit for decades to come, which will be especially beneficial in your late30s when you start losing muscle mass.Justremember to choose physical activities you really love, since you're less likely to continue exercising if you dislike your workouts.

8. Start saving for retirement

"Spend less than you earn and put money in an IRA,"says Paul Richard. "Compounding does amazing things and you will be able to retire when you want, instead of working forever."

Richard is right: The earlier you start saving for your golden years, the more time your money has to accrue interest.

9. Start asking questions

"By asking questions, you're getting different perspectives from different people,"writes Brian Austin. "To a greater or lesser extent, all of our lives are enriched by sharing the thoughts and ideas of others."

Scientists say this kind of curiosity and knowledge-seeking can strengthen your personal relationships because you spend time listening, and it boosts your performance at work because you always want to learn and improve.

10. Start flossing

It's "disheartening how many sit in dental chairs for hours later in life forking over thousands," writes Madeleine Gallay.

Recently there's been some controversy in the medical community over whether flossing has benefits. Apparently, as Business Insider's Erin Brodwin reported, the effectiveness of flossing has never been studied.

Still, manyexperts say that not flossing lets plaque build up between teeth and become tartar, a hard deposit that can irritate gums, and can potentially lead to infection and gum disease.Gum diseaseis also linked to other problems, including diabetes and heart disease — but there's no evidence that one directly causes the other.