Lessons I Wish I Knew in My 20s About Life and Success
In my 20s, I thought I had all the time in the world. I believed success would come with hard work, and I assumed I had plenty of years ahead to figure everything out. Looking back, there are so many lessons I wish I had understood sooner.
I remember thinking that growth meant constantly moving forward, chasing goals, and achieving more. What I didn’t realize was that real growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments. The biggest breakthroughs in life come when things don’t go as planned. It is in those moments that you discover what you are really capable of.
Failure was something I feared in my 20s. I saw mistakes as setbacks and signs that I wasn’t good enough or ready. But failure isn’t the end. It is a lesson. Every misstep, wrong turn, and unexpected moment was teaching me something. The most successful people I have met are the ones who weren’t afraid to fail. They kept going, kept learning, and didn’t let fear hold them back.
Time felt unlimited back then. I wasted hours, days, and even years worrying about things that didn’t really matter. What I didn’t see was that time is the most valuable asset we have. You can always make more money, but you can’t get back lost time. The people you spend it with, the experiences you choose, and the way you use your time all shape the life you build.
I also didn’t fully understand how much the people around me influenced my growth. The friends, mentors, and colleagues I surrounded myself with had a bigger impact on my mindset and choices than I realized. When I started being intentional about the company I kept, everything changed. The right people push you forward, challenge you to grow, and remind you of your potential.
But one of the biggest lessons I wish I had embraced earlier was about money. In my 20s, I thought making more was the key to financial freedom. I didn’t pay enough attention to the habits that mattered, like saving, investing, and understanding how to make money work for me. What I’ve learned since is that financial success isn’t about how much you earn but how you manage it. Starting early, making smart choices, and thinking long-term can make all the difference.
Looking back, I realize that every experience, challenge, and lesson shaped the person I am today. Life isn’t about perfection, and success isn’t about getting everything right the first time. It is about learning, adapting, and making choices that move you toward the life you truly want.
If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be this. Start today. Whether it is in your personal growth, your relationships, or your finances, the sooner you take action, the sooner you will see the impact. No matter where you are in life, it is never too late to start making smarter choices for your future.
No matter where you are in life, every choice you make today shapes your future. Growth, success, and financial freedom don’t happen overnight, but they do start with small, intentional steps. Learn from the past, embrace the lessons, and take action toward the life you truly want. Your future self will thank you.
Kerry Rizzo