What are the signs your 20s will not lead to a successful future? When we’re in our 20s it’s easy to abandon ideas about the future in favor of enjoying the moment.
Friends, holidays, festivals, travel. This is all wonderful but if we don’t monitor our lifestyle and habits today, we could be setting ourselves up for a difficult time in the future.
I deeply care about helping 20-somethings set up their lives for success. In fact, that’s what this whole blog is about! Your 20’s are a foundational time of your life. It is up to you to start establishing the right habits and systems today so that the rest of your life is set up for success!
Here are five signs your 20’s will not lead to a successful future…
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You Have A Negative Outlook On Life
Do you notice that your attitude towards people and things has started to become a little too negative? Or maybe it has always been like that.
A negative outlook can seriously affect the quality of your life now and your future prospects. Learning to become a more positive person can take time and effort but it is possible with a willingness to change.
A negative outlook is one of the signs your 20s will not lead to a successful future because, without a positive outlook, there is no motivation to live a successful life.
The first thing you can do to combat this outlook is to start with a game plan. No sports team enters the arena without preparing ahead of time. They train, observe the opposing team, and formulate a game plan of how they can win.
Think of your future in the same way. Do you think approaching it with a game plan will make it a lot easier to accomplish your goals and live a successful life? It sure will!
The next thing you can do to improve your outlook on the future is to find a passion you can pursue. Pick something that is sure to bring you joy. For me, that’s reading, blogging, and spending time in the garden or with my farm animals. One day, that passion may even turn into a small business as this blog has done for me!
If you are stuck in a toxic job or work environment, that can easily feed a negative outlook. Start pursuing something on the side that brings you joy. One day, it may turn into the very thing that supports you and your family.
Lastly, I would encourage you to surround yourself with positive people.
Who else do you know in their 20s that are doing great things? Who else has set up positive habits and boundaries in their life? And who else can hold you accountable for the wise goals you have set?
Having a community of like-minded people is exactly what you need to keep you focused during your 20s.
You Have Poor Habits
It’s easier to talk about setting up the right habits in your 20s than actually doing it. Being still in my 20s, I must continually examine my own life to make sure my habits are still intact.
One bad habit that can easily pop up in your 20s is the after-work glass of wine or beer. Drinking alone now and again can be relaxing, and it certainly doesn’t automatically mean that you’re an alcoholic who is destined to fail in life. But if it becomes a regular occurrence that turns into a habit you might run the risk of becoming addicted to it.
If your alcohol consumption is affecting your positive habits, like good exercise, healthy meal choices, a positive community to be involved with, or especially if it is affecting your work in any way, such as your starting time or the quality of your work, it is time to reevaluate your habits.
Another mistake I often see 20-somethings making is the decision (yes, it is a decision) to stop educating themselves.
Let’s evaluate how you are doing: Do you read the newspaper? How much time do you spend on social media in comparison? Do you visit your local library for new resources on various topics in your field of work? Or, do you watch Netflix each night instead?
Entertainment and media are a quick trap for comparison, envy, jealousy, hatred, and grief.
Instead, keep educating yourself. You never stop learning in this life. It’s just that now, it is up to you to keep learning.
If your poor habits are signs your 20s will not lead to a successful future then re-evaluate today what one habit you can improve on. It can be as simple as having a routine bedtime so that you get enough sleep. Or starting your own garden so that you can have fresh fruits and vegetables.
Let me know in the comments below what habit you are starting so that I can start holding you accountable!
Your Health Suffers And You’re Overly Stressed
Stress is a normal part of life. We have all had health issues related to stress, such as headaches, stomach aches, sleep problems, or distractions.
For most people, these symptoms are mild and usually disappear after a short rest. For some people; however, the symptoms are much more severe and long-lasting. This is worth paying serious attention to. It could be an indication of an underlying health condition that could affect your future.
Monitor the severity of your stress levels and always act on it if it’s affecting your life.
Related Post: 21 Quick Ways To Be Healthy In Your 20’s
If your health is suffering it is one of the signs your 20s will not lead to a successful future. In order to set yourself up for success, you need to have the right health habits in place. You’ve heard them before but here is a reminder:
Limit alcohol consumption; get eight hours of sleep a night; eat healthy, homemade nutritious meals with lots of vegetables; eliminate sugar and caffeine from your diet; exercise; get outside; socialize and interact with others of all ages; volunteer in your community; join a local church; get a pet and practice responsibility; declutter your home; delete the emails and remove mail subscriptions; save money; read books; and spend less time on social media, television, and entertainment.
Which items from the list above will you begin focusing on to improve your health and minimize the stress in your life?
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Your Finances Are Unorganized
Your 20s are an excellent time to organize your finances and build for the future. You may not be able to buy that home right away but with the right attitude, you will be well set up when the time comes around.
However, if your finances are disorganized and you are struggling to keep them even and consistent then you might find that you are always in this position.
It is vital that, just like your health, your finances are in order. Over the course of a month monitor all your spending habits and assess where you could save and in what ways you are dropping money. Regardless of your income, this will help keep your finances tight.
You can start by purchasing a new notebook. Write “My Budgeting Notebook” on the top. Start by setting up your budget for the month. Not sure how? Check this blog post out! The first month of your budget will be the trial run to see where your money is going.
Throughout the month track what you can, especially any cash you receive or spend. Then when the month is over, start downloading your credit card statements from your account online. Go through each item and add it to the budget notebook.
Where did you overspend? Where did you spend less than you anticipated? What extra money do you have to put into savings? Could you start creating a giving fund to bless others? What do you purchase too much of?
Knowing exactly where your money is going will be the building blocks to a successful financial future!
You Change Jobs Too Often
It is normal these days to transition between jobs often. The days of employees staying loyal to their company for their entire working career seem to be gone. It’s even normal now in some cases to have more than one job at once.
Related Post: 101 Things You Need To Know Before College Graduation
Having many jobs over your lifetime is not necessarily wrong unless there’s an underlying reason for leaving so many jobs. Too many jobs may signal to an employer that there is a lack of dedication and commitment.
When you agree to work with an employer it’s better for your future if you stay with that employer for an extended period of time. Why? This allows you to build a solid financial base, as well as professional relationships and a reputation.
Changing jobs often also gets messy. You have to deal with updating your resume, finding a new and exciting way to pitch yourself in an interview, and managing your 401(k) rollovers.
Part of setting yourself up for a successful future is practicing different quality traits. Those traits include loyalty, kindness, commitment, dedication, determination, leadership, and empathy. Changing jobs often is one of the signs your 20s will not lead to a successful future because it makes it harder to build relationships and grow in these traits.
There are certainly times when switching jobs is necessary. Sometimes, it just doesn’t work out with the events in your life to find a single career that you can stay with for several decades. However, knowing the benefits of a long-term job can help you stay on track for success!
So, as you examine the signs your 20’s will not lead to a successful future – your outlook on life, your poor habits, your health, and your career – remember that if you don’t monitor your lifestyle and habits today you could be setting yourself up for failure.
Leave a comment below letting me some goals you have in your 20s. I’d love to connect with you and help you get on the right path!
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Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma
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Being on top of our finances was one of the best things my husband and I did in our 20’s. We are both pretty money-smart but we took the time to research and work on budgeting. I had a spreadsheet and all that. Now we are in a pretty comfortable position so I don’t need the spreadsheet for every single expense/income, but we still check often just so we know where our money is going and to keep a handle on things.
Yes, very wise advice! We keep our finances a top priority as well because when you let that fall and crumble most things seem to right alongside it.
This is so important. I was raised to be very conscientious about finances and my hubs was not. It took a lot of understanding to get on the same page. Now we’re in a good place.
That’s great to hear Emily! It really is so important.
Love the insights you shared here, Kelsey! All 5 of these are so important and definitely things to take a close look at during your 20’s. I completely relate to being a 20-something grandma! 🙂
Ahh love it!! #beinga20somethinggrandma