I'm 36. If you're in your 20's, watch this.

Summary

The speaker, a 36-year-old man, shares two life lessons he wishes he had learned earlier. First, it's okay to feel behind in life—what matters is taking action and working toward your goals, as happiness comes from progress, not achievement. He recounts his own experiences of overcoming stagnation and social isolation to improve his career and personal life. Second, he cautions against the obsession with achieving wealth or success by a certain age, emphasizing the importance of enjoying life, relationships, and personal fulfillment over external success metrics.

Takeaways

• 😊 It's okay to be behind in life; it's not as bad as it may seem.
• 🎮 The speaker spent years in isolation playing video games and neglecting their well-being, which led to feeling behind.
• 💡 Realizing the need for change is the first step toward improvement, even if it feels overwhelming at first.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Working toward goals, not just achieving them, brings happiness.
• 💼 With effort and focus, the speaker quickly became successful in areas they thought they were far behind in, like work and social skills.
• ❤️ Confidence and social skills can be developed with practice, even in areas where you feel completely out of your comfort zone.
• 🕰️ Life improves once you decide to make a change, not just after you achieve success.
• 🎶 The speaker references the Iron Maiden song 'Wasted Years' to emphasize living in the present and appreciating progress.
• 💸 Don't obsess over achieving wealth or success by a certain age; focus on what truly makes you happy.
• 👥 Social media and influencers can create unrealistic expectations, leading young people to sacrifice joy and youth for unattainable goals.

Q & A

What is the main lesson the speaker learned from being 'behind in life'?

The speaker learned that being 'behind in life' is not as bad as it seems. He realized that true happiness doesn't come from achieving goals, but from working towards them. Progress, rather than the final result, is what brings fulfillment.

How did the speaker's life change when he decided to make a change?

Once the speaker decided to change, he felt happier almost immediately, even before he had fully caught up in life. He found satisfaction in making progress and noticed that he was catching up faster than expected by putting in consistent effort.

What advice does the speaker give to people who feel 'behind' in life?

The speaker advises not to lose hope. Even if someone feels behind in life, they can catch up relatively quickly with consistent effort. He emphasizes that happiness comes from making the decision to change and working towards goals.

Why does the speaker believe working towards goals brings happiness rather than achieving them?

The speaker believes that the process of working towards goals creates excitement and motivation. The sense of progress and improvement gives a sense of accomplishment, which leads to happiness even before the goal is achieved.

What was the speaker’s experience with sales, and how did he become successful?

The speaker got a sales job after being jobless for years and decided to put in more effort than others. By studying the sales script and learning from the best salesman in the office, he quickly became the best salesman himself.

How did becoming a 'pickup artist' help the speaker with social skills?

Although initially awkward and afraid of rejection, the speaker practiced talking to girls as part of becoming a 'pickup artist.' This helped him overcome his fears, develop social skills, and eventually find a girlfriend, who is now his wife.

What does the speaker say about societal pressure to achieve certain things by a specific age?

The speaker warns against being obsessed with achieving things like wealth by a certain age. He realized later in life that this pressure made him miss out on things that truly matter, such as spending time with loved ones and enjoying life’s simple pleasures.

What criticism does the speaker offer about influencers like Andrew Tate?

The speaker criticizes influencers like Andrew Tate for promoting the idea that young men must sacrifice their youth and constantly work to become rich by their 20s. He argues that this mindset is unrealistic for most people and causes them to miss out on meaningful experiences.

What does the speaker suggest to people feeling pressured by social media to succeed?

The speaker suggests being realistic about goals and not sacrificing youth or happiness for the sake of chasing wealth. He emphasizes the importance of balance, enjoying life, and focusing on what truly matters rather than blindly following social media advice.

What key message does the speaker share from the song 'Wasted Years' by Iron Maiden?

The speaker draws inspiration from the song 'Wasted Years' by Iron Maiden, which conveys the message that people should stop worrying about past mistakes and realize that they can start living in the 'golden years' by making positive changes in the present.