Comments on: 3 Pieces of Advice I’d Give My 18 Year-Old Self If I Could

By: Suraj Neupane

Suraj Neupane — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:28:16 +0000

much realistic article.i am just 20, and i feel i need change.

By: David

David — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:26:39 +0000

Yes, I agree. The advice is applicable to a lot of people, but it is meant for one particular 18-year-old…

By: Holden

Holden — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:20:57 +0000

Thanks David, I like points 1 & 2, can’t say I agree with #3. Not all of us are cut out for, nor want, to own our own businesses. And somethings you just can’t do in an entrepreneurial career because they require the resources of a corporation, e.g. develop an iPhone. I’ve made a very good living working at large companies, enjoyed the work, and will retire financially secure. That seems like a pretty happy ending to me.

By: Donald

Donald — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:36:30 +0000

I can relate so much with what you are saying in this article. As a 22 year old, I can say that I am less shy than when I was 18. It wasn’t until college that I realized that the friends that I had in high school eventually moves on from my life, except a few. Now I feel lonely most of the time because my social life depends on the few real friends from HS, and man you were spot on with about the beta-personality because I feel like that’s me. I also like your third advice because it wasn’t until recently that I decided I want to be an entrepeneur-currently studying graphic design. You gave me a new perspective and reason to meeting new people and building relationships. I respect your way of seeing life, it is very inspiring. Thank you :]

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:04:00 +0000

I think we are the same person, I’ve been kicking myself since I started college for spending hours in high school watching reruns of crappy shows (like Roseanne) instead of developing some talents. I’ve just stumbled upon this blog and it’s really fascinating. My problem is I realized these things at a young age but I can’t motivate myself to act on them, and my fears of failure get in the way.

By: David

David — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:39:11 +0000

Too late??? Nonsense! You’re 18, not 81. Eighteen is young, young, young. You can do whatever you want. You can be a ten year veteran at *anything* you choose by the time you’re 28! And you’ll still be super young. None of it is a waste, don’t think like that.

People everywhere would kill to be “reborn” at 18, and you have that right now, for free. Make use of it.

By: Alexei Goudzenko

Alexei Goudzenko — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:16:43 +0000

I feel terrible about myself because I’m 18 and this is exactly what I’ve realized and it always annoys me how I’ve wasted my 18years of beautiful life doing nothing. I feel like starting now is too late.
I wish I was just reborn or something.

Anyway super article, looking forward to seeing you in toronto

By: Sorby

Sorby — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 02:23:40 +0000

I love this.
I have finally started, at the age of 40, to work for myself and I am FREE!!!!
Hard work has never felt so good.

Thank you for your wisdom. I have passed this on to those who need it.

By: Brian AKA Hamlet

Brian AKA Hamlet — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:14:11 +0000

Hey David,
Stumble upon took me here the other day, and I’ve been in enraptured ever since. Fantastic post, but if you don’t mind my asking for some advice, I’ll explain my situation: I’ve just turned 20, and I’m furiously working on #3. Basically, I have changed majors 5 times (Anthropology, International Business, Philosophy, Poly Sci, and now a double major in Poly Sci and Economics), and to be honest, I still have no idea what the **** I’m doing. I want to enter Poly Sci because I enjoy politics (though I hate what happens within the system most of the time) and I feel like I’m in this privileged position to make a difference. I’m taking Economics because I think it will really benefit me should I decide to enter politics. However, I cannot be a career politician. I will not be the scum adhering to other’s philosophies simply for a vote. I won’t make any money as a politician either. So what do I do? I love a lot of other things (music, reading, writing, some sports, learning in general), but I think that if I took up another of my passions as my major/ eventual career, I would be seriously selling myself short as far as potential to make changes in the world that I truly desire. But if I enter law school and become a lawyer (which is what my next move is looking like), I may not enjoy law. Maybe I could do law tailored to things that I want to do? What is it, the thing that you’re doing itself or the goal which you’re achieving in doing it, that you must enjoy to enjoy work? Should I just bag law and become a psychologist to be happy making small progress in the world? Or should I bear the slings and arrows in order to enact the big changes I see necessary?

Even if you don’t have any advice, this has made me think and simply typing this out has been helpful. Thanks!

Did I mention I like your blog? No? Oh, okay. Well, I do.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:44:40 +0000

Awesome article…. I Stumble!d onto the nietzche article, and saw this… this is frighteningly accurate, I’ve owned all of the civ games I through V, and had that exact thought, ” I could know a couple languages by now with the time I’ve spent on this game” I guess the one thing I have managed to do is avoid the 9-5 by taking jobs overseas, but I’m currently “job-hunting” and this article has helped give me the nerve to try to work for myself, thanks man!