Ok, ok so if you read 12 Steps You Need To Take After You Graduate College – Part 1 and 12 Steps You Need To Take After You Graduate College – Part 2 then you probably feel pretty good about setting up your life for success in your 20s!
But we’re not done yet.
There are still 6 more steps I want to share with you because I believe they are so important to our lives and it is better to learn them now than later! The next three steps are listed below and be on the lookout for Part 4, as it will include the last three steps out of the 12.
Don’t forget to Pin this for later!
And when I say be on the lookout, I actually mean be on the lookout because they are my favorite ones yet.
But for these next three, I want to let you know that they are extremely important.
Why?
Because you are no longer being told what to do. You are no longer being taught new material. You are no longer going through similar personal growth experiences.
It is up to you now to decide how the rest of your life will go.
That’s right. It’s on you.
You control your life. You decide if you choose to get out of bed every day and chase your dreams. You decided to own up to your mistakes and celebrate your wins.
And you decided if you will make excuses. If you believe fate controls what’s happening to you. If you want to take ownership of your actions or not.
Ready or not, you’re in control of your destiny.
As a Christian, I do believe that God directs our steps and leads us towards His will if we are seeking Him, but you still have free will, and the ability to choose. You get to make decisions every day about what kind of person you are going to be and what path you will take.
So, I’m off my soapbox now.
Ready to go?
7. Set Up a Morning Routine
Wow, that sounds boring, right after that rant I just gave? Welp, let’s be real for a second.
This. Is. Huge.
I didn’t do this out of college and I am living with regret because of it.
In my first cubicle job out of college, I was working customer service and had a 1:30 PM to 10:00 PM shift with a one-hour commute to work each way.
I fell into some really bad habits. I stayed up late into the early morning reading or watching tv and slept in late enough before going back to work the next day.
I was so unproductive. I was lazy. And I wasn’t feeling accomplished in life.
However, once I got into this routine it was so hard to break.
Intentionality.
It is going to be key to all the advice I ever write on my blog, not just this post but every single one.
If you want to get something done you have to be intentional.
It wasn’t until I became intentional with my morning routine that life became increasingly better.
I purchased the SELF Journal on Amazon and spent my mornings being grateful, meditating, and reading scripture.
My morning was productive. I felt alive, ready to conquer my dreams. I had a game plan. And I was able to take action, my biggest accomplishment.
I use the SELF Journal to guide my mornings because it has all the key ingredients I need to be successful. I recommend purchasing one for yourself on AMAZON HERE.
Related Post: How To Have A Successful Morning Routine As A Couple
When I roll out of bed early, I start with making my bed, drinking a glass of water, then a coffee most days, and opening the journal. I write what I’m thankful for. I write what I want to accomplish. And I open my Bible, read scripture, pray and meditate.
Without this morning routine, my life is crazy. I become unfocused and lazy.
To set your life up for success, set up your morning for success.
The Ultimate Guide To #Adulting
Because #ADULTING.
Do you feel in the dark? I know I did after I graduated college! Here's everything you need to know to start your SUCCESSFUL adult life!
8. Find a Mentor or Someone You Look Up To
A mentor is someone you can grab coffee with, dive into the deep dark things of your life, and have accountability.
They trust you, they uplift you, they encourage you, and they hold you to your standards and goals.
They are consistent and wise. They seek your good above themselves. They are loyal and eager to assist you.
If your mentor doesn’t do those things, then dump them. But be sure you are providing the same level of respect back to them.
You need a mentor because you were not meant to do this life alone.
Often a mentor is someone older than you because they are likely to have more wisdom and advice for you.
Ideally, a mentor should also be someone close by so that you can have in-person communication. There is nothing wrong with FaceTime or Skype; however, in-person allows for easier vulnerability and personal touch.
How to find a mentor:
If you attend a church regularly, look for someone that you admire and that shows leadership skills. Approach them.
Tell them you are looking for a mentor to help you through this season of life and offer to buy them coffee. Set a time and date. Boom, give it a shot.
Trust can be established before you find a mentor but sometimes it grows while the relationship grows over time, as you get to know each other.
Otherwise, look within your extended family and don’t make it about family drama. Another idea is to join a community as I suggested in 12 Steps To Take After You Graduate College – Part 2 and find a friend there who can offer you guidance or assistance.
Finding a mentor often comes with some work. You have to put some effort in, but once you do it is completely worth it.
One of my mentors is a past college professor, now retired that lives in the same town as me. We meet for coffee or a meal and encourage each other through life.
Prepare for when life gets hard because we all face several trials. If you have a mentor and then go through a rough season of life, you know you already have someone there to walk through it with you.
Consider also reaching out to someone younger than you that might be struggling and offer to provide advice or encouragement to them so often. You could become a mentor to them and in so doing be provided advice and encouragement back from them.
Learn to trust the process and pray about it as well. Mentors can be your secret weapon in the unknown of adulthood.
The Ultimate Guide To #Adulting
Because #ADULTING.
Do you feel in the dark? I know I did after I graduated college! Here's everything you need to know to start your SUCCESSFUL adult life!
9. Invest In Yourself
Personal Development was something that intrigued me after college. I was introduced to it when I started pursuing my Young Living Essential Oils business.
I love these two quotes on personal development:
“To know the world, first know yourself. To change the world, first, change yourself.” -Anonymous
“Growth is the great separator between those who succeed and those who do not. When I see a person beginning to separate themselves from the pack, it’s almost always due to personal growth.” – John C. Maxwell
You see, changing yourself can mean changing everything.
The rest of your life should be a quest to become the best possible version of yourself you could possibly be.
Begin to know yourself.
Think about your strengths, talents, and abilities. Consider taking the Strengths Finder Test.
What things are you naturally good at? What do you like doing? What do you struggle with? What do you not like to do? What is your leadership style?
Learn what your gifting is and then focus on that.
Become a learner of this world. Seek out information and apply it to your life.
Easier said than done right? Here is where being intentional comes in again. Keep your priorities straight and you never know what could happen.
The person I was five years ago has changed incredibly from the person I am today. That should be your goal: to not remain stagnant but keep growing and changing for the better.
Be sure to read 12 Steps You Need to Take After You Graduate College – Part 4 because I dive next into some pretty exciting things about how you can apply what you learn about yourself and then use it to your success.
So, this week, sit down and establish a morning routine. Slowly get into the habit of it. Put away distractions, set up boundaries, and get accountability. Do whatever you have to do to start the day focused each day.
Then, look for a mentor. Ask around. Be active in finding someone that you could support and vice versa, they could do the same. It will help you so much in life when you’re thrown a curveball or facing day-to-day struggles.
Last, study yourself. Challenge yourself. Grow yourself. Each day become a better person than you were the day before.
Keep Reading: 12 Steps You Need To Take After You Graduate College – Part 4
The Ultimate Guide To #Adulting
Because #ADULTING.
Do you feel in the dark? I know I did after I graduated college! Here's everything you need to know to start your SUCCESSFUL adult life!
Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma
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These are great tips. There are so many important things to do right after finishing college.
Thanks Lecy!
I’ve realized now that it’s 2020 I am ten years out of college. I’m feeling a little old! I think your point to start a morning routine is great. It can be hard when you first graduate because you’ll take whatever opportunity you can get, and that’s often working weird hours. During the summer I did summer camps and had to be up at 6am, but in the school year I did SAT tutoring so my work didn’t usually start until about 3pm. I was all over the place and it really takes a toll without a consistent sleep schedule!
Wow, yes that would definitely take a toll on anyone! I feel so much better when I am consistent with my morning routine.
I found that setting up a morning routine and setting obtainable allows me to have less anxiety when trying to reach those goals.
Well said!!