You may not like what I’m about to share, but hear me out. If you’re 17, imagine dedicating the next 20 years to a passion of yours. Envision your life at 37:
- You would have mastered your chosen field.
- You’d be in a position to mentor others and expand your influence.
- Each day would involve doing something you love.
Long before you hit the halfway mark of your life, you could achieve what many only dream of. Sure, the usual advice is to “enjoy life! You’re young!” While that’s valid, there’s another truth: the sooner you start working towards the life you desire, the simpler it becomes.
I don’t want you to spend the years between 17 and 37 just drifting. My goal is for you to experience the freedom to do what you want every moment from 37 to 107.
1. Financial Savvy
Recently, I had the best cake of my life. “Who made this?” I inquired.
“Our daughter Emma,” a couple at the table replied.
“Does she have business cards?” I joked.
“Absolutely!” Emma said, revealing she’s been baking cakes to fund her upcoming half-marathon. And she’s only 12.
Money isn’t everything, but it certainly creates opportunities. There’s no age limit to start earning—begin now.
2. Skill Development
Think 20 years seems excessive? Try this instead:
- Identify something you’re reasonably good at.
- Dedicate 30 days to practicing it daily.
- Then, move on to another interest for 30 days.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to specialize to succeed. Being adept at multiple skills makes you versatile and irreplaceable.
3. Cultivating Passion
By genuinely caring about your pursuits, you’re already ahead of 75% of your peers. Here’s a fun fact: caring creates a ripple effect.
- Stuck on a problem? Caring will motivate you to find a solution.
- Made an error? Caring gives you the drive to correct it.
- Dissatisfied with your team’s approach? Caring fuels the desire to change it.
Passion stems from consistent action driven by interest. It doesn’t just appear overnight. Nurture a passion and let it thrive—opportunities will follow.
4. Surround Yourself with the Right People
The company you keep shapes your habits, mindset, and values—both directly and indirectly.
- Befriend those smarter than you to absorb their wisdom.
- Connect with those wealthier than you to learn their strategies.
- Spend time with courageous individuals; bravery is contagious.
- Engage with older mentors to gain invaluable perspective.
All these relationships foster humility, and with a healthy dose of that quality, you’ll become unstoppable.
5. Embrace Fun
Try this: exhale for as long as you can, then try walking around without taking another breath. Spoiler alert: you won’t manage it. The idea of non-stop hustling is a myth. Even dedicating just an hour a day to something you’re passionate about can create significant momentum over time.
Fun and work must coexist—balance is essential for fulfillment.
6. Unleashing Creativity
You might have noticed that machines are increasingly taking over tasks. Why hire a human when a robot can perform the job more efficiently? However, what humans uniquely offer right now is creativity.
To generate endless ideas:
- Identify problems everywhere.
- Seek solutions to those problems.
- Make connections between as many ideas as possible.
As a digital native, your perspective on possibilities is different. Show us what you can achieve.
For a deeper dive into these ideas and more, check out our other blog posts about privacy policies here, as well as insights on artificial insemination at Make a Mom, and an informative resource on the IVF process here.
Summary
At 17, consider dedicating time to your passions for lasting fulfillment. Financial independence, skill mastery, passion, the right company, a balance of work and fun, and creativity will pave the way for a rewarding future.