Top 10 [unconventional] Learning Lessons from 10 Years post-Undergrad 🤯

Fail fast, learn faster.

Last week marks 10 years since I graduated college. Since then, I’ve had 5 corporate jobs, traveled 1 year around the world, founded/exited a business, went back to school for software engineering, lived in 3 major cities, wrote a few things online, and made WAY too many mistakes...

Here are my Top 10 [slightly unconventional] lessons:

1. The best time to be out & about on the weekends is in the mornings.
   
   Whether it’s a workout class, a farmer’s market, a new coffee shop, or a full-day trip, Saturdays and Sundays are meant to reenergize you for the week, not leave you hungover and restless.
   

2. "To find a friend one must close one eye - to keep him, two." -Norman Douglas
   
   As we grow, our interests and friend circles constantly change. When you find someone with a big heart who treats you with respect, don’t let them go, even if their political opinions aren’t perfectly aligned with yours.
   

3. Don't spare any expense (within reason) when it comes to learning. Find coaches, online classes, or other programs to help you accelerate your knowledge.
   
   You can always get more money, but you cannot get more time. Instead of reading 100s of books and listening to 100s of podcasts, do research and find the most reputable online courses or instructors to speed through what you want to learn.
   

4. When evaluating multiple offers, don't always chase the higher salary. Choose the better learning & networking opportunity that will pay its dividends in the long run.
   
   I’ve been at this crossroads one too many times and it’s hurt me more than once. Specifically in sales and other bonus-heavy jobs, some companies will promise you a higher OTE (On Target Earning) than what is attainable. After evaluating the product and people, choose the company with the higher % attainment of OTE rather than the higher $ value.
   

5. Use Jeff Bezos' Regret Minimization Framework to help navigate big life decisions.
   
   It’s funny how much clarity we have with challenging decisions by simply tweaking our perspectives. This is a great 2-minute clip on getting in the right headspace for those crossroads.
   

6. Build the largest network possible and become the ultimate connector between your separate circles. This network effect will compound when you least expect it.
   
   Your network is your net worth.
   

7. Take time off to reset before burning out. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of a career, and 2-3 weeks spread between the year isn't enough.
   
   I traveled for 6 months in South America before deciding to eventually pursue entrepreneurship. I would’ve never been able to make the jump while working my 9-5 and earning a comfortable salary. If you’ve been working for 5+ years without a vacation longer than 2 weeks at a time, there are parts of your brain running on autopilot and not looking at the big picture. Try the Jeff Bezos’ Framework and a real break.
   

8. “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” -Mark Twain.
   

   It’s easy to get distracted. If you don’t finish your biggest challenges first thing, they will stay top of mind and take away your efficiency while working on other tasks.
   

9. Find a hobby, ideally one that is healthy and outdoors. Keep trying new ones until you find something that makes you lose track of time when you do it.
   
   I fell in love with kitesurfing 6 years ago. When I’m in the water, the only thing on my mind is how to not die and how to get the most air possible. It’s an amazing feeling to stop thinking about all of life’s challenges and just focus on improving your hobbies.
   

10. Turn off your phone as much as possible. Unless you are expecting family to contact you, 99% of emails & 100% of memes can wait. It's one of the most addicting products created in our lifetime and will consistently change your mood and mindset - don't let it control you.
    
    This goes back to getting distracted and accomplishing less. No amount of time-limit apps have helped me as much as just turning off my phone. Don’t let these mindless distractions take you away from your flow-state and productivity.
    

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    The last 10 years have been a rollercoaster full of life-long lessons and am excited for the next 10 🤠