39. Career Advice To Younger Self

If I could talk to my 20-something self, here’s what I’d say.

Take risks early.
Your 20s are the only time when your downside is small, and your upside is massive. You have fewer responsibilities, more energy, and more time to recover if things go wrong. If something works, it can set you up for the rest of your life. Don’t waste those years playing it safe.

Increase the surface area of luck.
Hard work alone isn’t enough. You need to put yourself in situations where luck can find you. Meet people, share your work, talk to strangers, try new ideas, and be active online. Luck usually comes from small actions that compound over time.

Lift weights.
Building muscle is simply easier in your 20s. But it’s not just about health. Lifting makes you look better, feel more confident, and builds discipline. It’s an apex habit. Once you get consistent with it, it spills into other parts of your life. You eat better, sleep better, and generally show up better.

Fuck around and find out.
Try a lot of things. Experiment without overthinking. You can’t just copy someone else’s success — most paths are unique. But you can avoid a lot of mistakes by learning from others.
And fail often. Failure is not a bad thing. It’s feedback. Every failure is a learning opportunity that nudges you closer to what actually works for you.

Save money, but know that saving alone won’t make you wealthy.
Build financial discipline early: automate your SIPs, invest consistently, avoid lifestyle creep, and keep your fixed costs low. Saving creates stability, but wealth comes from compounding. Your skills, your experiences, and your investments grow over time.

Travel.
Travel will shape you in ways nothing else can. New places and cultures give you perspective, humility, and a better understanding of the world. It makes you more curious, open, grounded, and even kinder. It genuinely makes you a better person.

Choose momentum over perfection.
Most people get stuck thinking instead of doing. Action gives you clarity. Like Rumi said, “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” Start moving. Push things forward. Momentum is one of the biggest advantages you can build in life.

Don’t forget to have fun, whatever you are up to. You can’t compete with people having fun.