For those of you who are entering the world of becoming an adult - heads up, it's a bit overwhelming. In high school, you think they prepare you for everything but the truth is, you don't even begin to learn the ins and outs of what growing up requires of you. Considering I'm still learning all of this myself, I can't give you all of the answers (I don't think anybody can) but here are some key points:
1. Be proactive, rather than reactive.
Rather than being unprepared for a scenario, take steps to prevent it from happening. For example, if you feel your car is running weird, get it looked at. Don't wait until it breaks down and causes an even bigger issue. Considering cars are something we'll all have in our lives, try and learn as much as you can about them, and most importantly know how to change a tire. When it comes to money, set aside 10% of each paycheck into savings. Personally, my goal is to build up a savings account that contains my insurance deductible plus some so I am prepared for just about anything. These are just a couple examples of being proactive but keep in mind, reacting to an issue is a lot more stressful than preventing an issue from happening.
2. Little habits can add up quick.
If you're one to grab some Starbucks every morning before work or school, think about how much you could save if you cut down to Starbucks every Friday and just make your own at home the rest of the week. If you're a smoker, the average pack of cigarettes cost about $6.25, which, depending on how much you smoke, can add up to about $133/month. We each have things we like to indulge in that may not seem expensive at the moment you're buying it but overtime it will add up, so keep that in mind!
3. Spend your money on experiences rather than material things.
Concerts and road trips will always be more memorable than a new shirt or new TV.
4. Get out of your comfort zone.
Part of growing up is learning to step out of your comfort zone and explore- taking and creating opportunities that allows yourself to grow and truly experience life. There are going to be moments it backfires but never let those moments discourage you exploring in the future.
5. Admit when you're wrong, and learn from it.
Everyone makes mistakes, and a true test of maturity is admitting when you made a mistake. Whether it is with friends, coworkers, or family, do not let pride get in the way of a relationship. Admit what you did wrong, apologize, and learn from it.
6. You don't know everything.
We've been listening to our parents, grandparents, older siblings, teachers, etc. give us advice on practically everything our entire lives. Unfortunately when we're young we just think we know better, but in most cases, we don't. Listen to what people have to say, don't just shrug it off because whether it's about cars, love, or money - someone has got something to teach you. Let's face it, at this age we can use all the help we can get.
7. Know who you are.
No, I'm not saying you need to have your life figured out, but pay attention to how certain situations and issues affect your attitude and decisions. This isn't high school anymore. Now that you're an adult, you're responsible for yourself and your actions more than you've ever been. That being said, learn how you work/live with others, learn how/when you're most productive, learn about yourself and create a plan that always ensures you're growing. You are your own cheerleader, people won't praise you for every achievement you have made, but people will point out mistakes. Being proud of your success (including success others may not see) and taking responsibility for your mistakes will help build strength and help your relationships with the people around you.
8. Take care of yourself.
Sometimes in the midst of school, a job, and our social lives we tend to forget about ourselves, but no matter how busy you are, always set time aside to relax and do the things you enjoy doing. Use this time to get away from your daily scene and expand your mind. Try and find your own special hide away place that gives the privacy and peace you need to revamp.
9. Everything is a learning experience.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that everyone and everything is a learning experience. So whether you screw up at work, fail a test (or a class), ruin a relationship with someone you love, etc.make note of what happened, the response, and the outcome. Learn from it, move on and do your best to not repeat that mistake. Don't be hard on yourself for screwing up, everyone does.
