Thread by @chrishlad

I'm 23 and still have a lot to learn.

But here are 10 legit lessons I wish I could tell my 18 year old self:

Lesson 1: Stop doing what you suck at it

I spent 50 hours learning to code in Python.

I was bad at it and frankly didn't enjoy it.

So I stopped and focused on writing instead.

Common wisdom is to fix your weaknesses.

That is wrong.

Double down on strengths.

Lesson 2: Get tough or life will run you over

My freshman year of college I got put in the hospital with pneumonia, had ab surgery and sinus surgery.

Before that I was soft.

After, nothing fazed me.

“Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times."

Lesson 3: Become a learning machine

Fancy degrees or logos on your resume are overrated.

It matters how you think.

And you learn how to think by becoming a learning machine.

The most important question you need to answer:

• What is your system for learning?

Lesson 4: If you're shy, you will die.

Ok, not literally.

But next time you are afraid to ask her on a date.

Or cold email that person you look up to.

Or tell someone why you deserve the job.

You are telling your future self that you want a mediocre life.

Do you?

Lesson 5: Hurt vs. Injured

In sports, hurt means you aren't 100% healthy but can play in a game

Injured means you have a broken bone and there is no way you can play

Life is about being at your best when hurt

No situation is perfect just like no athlete is ever 100% healthy

Lesson 6: Boring is Better

Go study the best in the world.

What they have in common:
• Built a system for success
• Fell in love with the system
• Stuck with the system for decades

(B.F.S)

They fall in love with executing boring systems.

Find yours.

Lesson 7: No one cares about you

Beyond family and your closest friend, no one actually cares about you.

And this is incredibly freeing.

It means no one is thinking about you.

So don't make life decisions based on what others will think.

Now you are free to take big bets.

Lesson 8: Shut up and listen

I'm a talker. I can talk for hours. And I'm always thinking of what to say next.

But I realized that I need to shut up and listen.

The magic happens when you really digest what a person has to say.

Lesson 9: Eat that Humble Pie

I don't care if you won a bunch of awards or think you are a good athlete.

Long-term excellence is working to become a little less dumb everyday.

Awards are nice but they can blind you from that pursuit.

So go eat that Humble Pie.

Lesson 10: Find your obsession

Life is about finding what you are obsessed with.

What you can't stop thinking about it.

Find it and go do it with people that feel the same way.

Those are the 10 most important lessons I've learned in the past 5 years.

Comment below with 1 lesson you wish you could tell your younger self.

Let's learn together:)

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