This article is inspired by Patrick Collison.
I’m 22 years old and I’ve learned a few useful things, so I wanted to share them here.
Find something that interests you. I recommend starting with computers. It’s a huge tree with many branches. You can pick one and become really good at it.
Talk to strangers. Moms don’t like this, but it helps you understand different people and different ways of thinking. When you see the world from different angles, you make fewer mistakes.
Read books. Books teach you focus. Avoid social media. Choose what you consume. Don’t fall into the algorithm trap. Some of the best engineers build systems to keep you addicted to your favorite apps so their companies make more money. Protect your attention.
Move. Play a sport. Stretch. Take a ball and go outside. Run. Swim. Climb. Move. Your brain needs it. If you want to succeed, you need to think clearly.
Don’t play too many video games. I was addicted to Call of Duty and spent hours unlocking camouflage and levels. Play at life too. Try to earn real things: a degree, a relationship, a good conversation, a business, money, skills.
Learn to focus for long hours. Maybe you want money. Maybe you want good grades. In both cases, you need attention and discipline. Eat clean and move your body.
Eat clean. You are what you eat. I still eat burgers and pizza sometimes, but most of your food should be natural. If you know the plant or animal without reading the package, it’s probably good food.
Use the internet correctly. I met many interesting people online. Send messages to people who inspire you. Something simple like: “Hey, I saw your work on XYZ. I’m curious about your learning process. Do you have any project or book recommendations?”