18 Cosas Que Me Hubiera Gustado Que Me Dijeran Antes de Los 18

18 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I Was 18 Page 1 of 20
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June 21st, 2010 @ 1:44 am by: Marc
18 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I Was 18

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This morning I was reading a book at my favorite beach-side coffee shop when an 18-year-old kid sat down next to me and said,
“That’s a great read, ain’t it?” So we started chatting.
He told me he was getting ready to graduate from high school in a couple of weeks and then immediately starting his college
career in the fall. “But I have no clue what I want to do with my life,” he said. “Right now I’m just going with the flow.”
And then, with eager, honest eyes, he began asking me one question after the next:
z “What do you do for a living?”

z “When and how did you decide what you wanted to do?”
z “Why did you do this? Why didn’t you do that?”
z “Is there anything you wish you had done differently?”
z Etc, etc, etc…
I answered his questions as best as I could, and tried to give decent advice with the time I had. And after a half-hour
conversation, he thanked me and we parted ways.
But on the walk home I realized the conversation I had with him was actually quite nostalgic for me. He reminded me of me ten
http://www.marcandangel.com/2010/06/21/18-things-i-wish-someone-told-me-when-i... 25/01/2011
years ago. So I started thinking about his questions again, and I began imagining all of the things I wish someone had told me
when I was 18.
Then I took it a step further and thought about all the things I would love to tell myself if I could travel back in time to give my
18-year-old self some advice about life.
So after a few cups of coffee and a couple hours of deliberation, here are 18 things I wish someone told me when I was 18:
1. Commit yourself to making lots of mistakes. – Mistakes teach you important lessons. The biggest mistake you can make
is doing nothing because you’re too scared to make a mistake. So don’t hesitate – don’t doubt yourself. In life, it’s rarely
about getting a chance; it’s about taking a chance. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100%
sure doing nothing won’t work. Most of the time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns out, it always ends
up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win. Remember, if you never act, you will
never know for sure, and you will be left standing in the same spot forever.
2. Find hard work you love doing. – If I could offer my 18-year-old self some real career advice, I’d tell myself not to base
my career choice on other people’s ideas, goals and recommendations. I’d tell myself not to pick a major because it’s
popular, or statistically creates graduates who make the most money. I’d tell myself that the right career choice is based on
one key point: Finding hard work you love doing. As long as you remain true to yourself, and follow your own interests
and values, you can find success through passion. Perhaps more importantly, you won’t wake up several years later
working in a career field you despise, wondering “How the heck am I going to do this for the next 30 years?” So if you
catch yourself working hard and loving every minute of it, don’t stop. You’re on to something big. Because hard work
ain’t hard when you concentrate on your passions.
3. Invest time, energy and money in yourself every day. – When you invest in yourself, you can never lose, and over time
you will change the trajectory of your life. You are simply the product of what you know. The more time, energy and
money you spend acquiring pertinent knowledge, the more control you have over your life.
4. Explore new ideas and opportunities often. – Your natural human fears of failure and embarrassment will sometimes
stop you from trying new things. But you must rise above these fears, for your life’s story is simply the culmination many
small, unique experiences. And the more unique experiences you have, the more interesting your story gets. So seek as
many new life experiences as possible and be sure to share them with the people you care about. Not doing so is not
living.
5. When sharpening your career skills, focus more on less. – Think in terms of Karate: A black belt seems far more
impressive than a brown belt. But does a brown belt really seem any more impressive than a red belt? Probably not to
most people. Remember that society elevates experts high onto a pedestal. Hard work matters, but not if it’s scattered in
diverse directions. So narrow your focus on learning fewer career related skills and master them all.
6. People are not mind readers. Tell them what you’re thinking. – People will never know how you feel unless you tell
them. Your boss? Yeah, he doesn’t know you’re hoping for a promotion because you haven’t told him yet. That cute girl
you haven’t talked to because you’re too shy? Yeah, you guessed it; she hasn’t given you the time of day simply because
you haven’t given her the time of day either. In life, you have to communicate with others. And often, you have to open
your vocal cords and speak the first words. You have to tell people what you’re thinking. It’s as simple as that.
7. Make swift decisions and take immediate action. – Either you’re going to take action and seize new opportunities, or
someone else will first. You can’t change anything or make any sort of progress by sitting back and thinking about it.
Remember, there’s a huge difference between knowing how to do something and actually doing it. Knowledge is basically
useless without action.
8. Accept and embrace change. – However good or bad a situation is now, it will change. That’s the one thing you can
count on. So embrace change, and realize that change happens for a reason. It won’t always be easy or obvious at first, but
in the end it will be worth it.
9. Don’t worry too much about what other people think about you. – For the most part, what other people think and say
about you doesn’t matter. When I was 18, I let the opinions of my high school and early college peers influence my
decisions. And, at times, they steered me away from ideas and goals I strongly believed in. I realize now, ten years later,
that this was a foolish way to live, especially when I consider that nearly all of these people whose opinions I cared so
much about are no longer a part of my life. Unless you’re trying to make a great first impression (job interview, first date,
etc.), don’t let the opinions of others stand in your way. What they think and say about you isn’t important. What is
important is how you feel about yourself.
10. Always be honest with yourself and others. – Living a life of honesty creates peace of mind, and peace of mind is
priceless. Period.
11. Talk to lots of people in college and early on in your career. – Bosses. Colleagues. Professors. Classmates. Social
club members. Other students outside of your major or social circle. Teaching assistants. Career advisors. College deans.
Friends of friends. Everyone! Why? Professional networking. I have worked for three employers since I graduated from
college (I left my first two employers by choice on good terms), but I only interviewed with the first employer. The other
two employers offered me a job before I even had a formal interview, based strictly on the recommendation of a hiring
manager (someone I had networked with over the years). When employers look to fill a position, the first thing they do is
ask the people they know and trust if they know someone who would do well in the position. If you start building your
professional network early, you’ll be set. Over time, you’ll continue talking to new people you meet through your current
network and your network’s reach and the associated opportunities will continue to snowball for the duration of your
career.
12. Sit alone in silence for at least ten minutes every day. – Use this time to think, plan, reflect, and dream. Creative and
productive thinking flourish in solitude and silence. With quiet, you can hear your thoughts, you can reach deep within
yourself, and you can focus on mapping out the next logical, productive step in your life.
13. Ask lots of questions. – The greatest ‘adventure’ is the ability to inquire, to ask questions. Sometimes in the process of
inquiry, the search is more significant than the answers. Answers come from other people, from the universe of knowledge
and history, and from the intuition and deep wisdom inside yourself. These answers will never surface if you never ask the
right questions. Thus, the simple act of asking the right questions is the answer.
14. Exploit the resources you do have access to. – The average person is usually astonished when they see a physically
handicap person show intense signs of emotional happiness. How could someone in such a restricted physical state be so
happy? The answer rests in how they use the resources they do have. Stevie Wonder couldn’t see, so he exploited his
sense of hearing into a passion for music, and he now has 25 Grammy Awards to prove it.
15. Live below your means. – Live a comfortable life, not a wasteful one. Do not spend to impress others. Do not live life
trying to fool yourself into thinking wealth is measured in material objects. Manage your money wisely so your money
does not manage you. Always live well below your means.
16. Be respectful of others and make them feel good. – In life and business, it’s not so much what you say that counts, it’
how you make people feel. So respect your elders, minors, and everyone in between. There are no boundaries or classes
that define a group of people that deserve to be respected. Treat everyone with the same level of respect you would give to
your grandfather and the same level of patience you would have with your baby brother. Supporting, guiding, and making
contributions to other people is one of life’s greatest rewards. In order to get, you have to give.
17. Excel at what you do. – There’s no point in doing something if you aren’t going to do it right. Excel at your work and
excel at your hobbies. Develop a reputation for yourself, a reputation for consistent excellence.
18. Be who you were born to be. – You must follow your heart, and be who you were born to be. Some of us were born to be
musicians – to communicate intricate thoughts and rousing feelings with the strings of a guitar. Some of us were born to
be poets – to touch people’s hearts with exquisite prose. Some of us were born to be entrepreneurs – to create growth and
opportunity where others saw rubbish. And still, some of us were born to be or do whatever it is, specifically, that moves
you. Regardless of what you decide to do in your lifetime, you better feel it in every fiber of your being. You better be
born to do it! Don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams and desires.
But above all, laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t change. Life is short, yet amazing.
Enjoy the ride.
Also, if you liked this article and you’re looking for similar advice on life, love and personal growth I highly recommend that you
read The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. It’s an easy, enjoyable read that literally changed my life.
Photo by: Taylor McBride
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101 Comments
Filed under Career, Hacks, Life, Productivity
How To Avoid The Personal Development Plateau
20 Tips That Could Save Your Life
101 Comments
z Austin
June 21st, 2010 at 2:15 am
Great post. Reading something like this after completing my first year of college helps put things in perspective. I often
worry about the idea of looking back and thinking to myself that I failed to do the things you mentioned.
Thanks for the genuine advice.
z Cracking
June 21st, 2010 at 2:58 am
Excellent post and excellent blog!!

keep up the good work.
z John
June 21st, 2010 at 2:59 am
Absolutely loved this post. As a 19-year-old blogger, I can attest to everything said here.
I hope this changes the lives of people everywhere, teenagers and adults, alike.
z Ricardas S.
June 21st, 2010 at 3:10 am
It’s one of the best articles I have read recently. In addition, it says the whole truth about real life experiences.
As I am also 18 years old, I think that the best point here is that you should not rely on other opinions or what they say you
need to do. If they do not think you are capable of doing something, it’s another motivator to try and prove yourself to
them because otherwise as you mentioned you can go on different and generally worse way.
z Abubakar Jamil
June 21st, 2010 at 3:21 am
Wonderful post Marc.
I am running a life-lessons series in which some of my personal development blogger friends are participating and I’d love
to link-back to your post and include it in the series.
The details are here http://www.abubakarjamil.com/known-earlier-life/
Kindly do lemme know your interest.
z Farouk
June 21st, 2010 at 3:46 am
i like the post’s title so much , also the lessons are very useful, i should have been told that too
z Marko Todorovic
June 21st, 2010 at 6:44 am
Excellent article! I recently learned of your site from a friend, and have been totally amazed at the beauty of your work.
And since then I read all your articles. Keep up a good work. Regards from Serbia!
z Eduard @ People Skills Decoded

June 21st, 2010 at 6:45 am
Meeee toooo. Now that I think about it, some of those things have been told to me early on, by people who I respect a lot
and are now my mentors.
It’s tricky because when you’re 18, you often don’t take lessons from anybody. You sort of need to discover things on your
own. But other people can also help you here, by creating the opportunities for you to learn.
z Saki
June 21st, 2010 at 7:43 am
I’m 18 now, but I started my college career when I was 17. A lot of the times I avoided speaking to people and asking
question only because I was scared, so my first year was definitely difficult. But this article really inspired me to step out of
my bubble and interact with people. I’m so thankful I stumbled upon this.
Thanks so much.
z Linea
June 21st, 2010 at 10:57 am
Is this an instruction to how to become Mother Teresa? I think some of the advice is perfect, and some might not fit
everyone. But I’ll have to think more about it.
z Linda
June 21st, 2010 at 11:17 am
I am so inspired by this post. In fact I’m going to compose one called:
9 Things I wish I could say to my ‘20 Something’ Self and 1 more. It will be about being an OK mum and I will invite
others to add a 10th ‘Thing’.
I’ll invite my readers to read this post, and join this site, with your Link.
I love this site and learn so much. Thank you.
z parker lee | howtomingle.com

June 21st, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Hi Marc, wonder post, always!
I especially love your “commit to making mistakes” and asking alot of questions tip. I know many adults who could use
those tips
z Marc
June 21st, 2010 at 12:30 pm
@All:
Thanks so much for the kind remarks and added insight. This article is actually one of my personal favorites that I’ve
written recently. The 18 year old kid I discuss at the beginning really inspired me. He made me stop, think, and realize how
many significant lessons I’ve learned over the last 10 years. It’s really an interesting thing to ponder.
Hope you all have a fun, productive week!
z Anna
June 21st, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Thank you for a great article, in my opinion one of your best! It couldn’t have come at a better time for me.
z Brett
June 21st, 2010 at 1:32 pm
As a kid who’s not even 18 yet, I thank you.
Honestly, I don’t think the power of networking is stressed enough to college kids - it, not your major, is the number one
thing that governs whether you’ll be employed or not post-graduation (for the vast majority of students). Just like how high
schools don’t teach personal finance, it boggles my mind that nobody teaches people how to network in school. It’s so
important that you’d figure somebody would try doing it in our education system, no?
z Mapula Nakana
June 21st, 2010 at 3:07 pm
I totally enjoyed reading it, insightful & profound. Great life lessons stated here. Thanks!!
z Armen Shirvanian
June 21st, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Hi Marc.
#6 sure makes sense. People rarely know what I’m thinking until I point it out. I used to have the general feeling that
people knew what was on my mind but would later find out that they thought the opposite or had no clue. Because of this
knowledge, I am much more likely to point out what I am thinking if it has relevance to others.
Asking lots of question is one I can also vouch for. I don’t ask enough questions. The few times that I do, I always get
more out of it than I expected. Usually, it is because I find out I was way off in some regard, and then am much more better
off with the new information.
z Dia
June 21st, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Thanks Marc for the article. I like number 9 a lot: “Don’t worry too much about what other people think about you.” We
have to realize that we can’t make everyone like us. Thanks for sharing this list of wisdom.
z Clarendon Nights
June 21st, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Great post! Especially agree with points 1 and 3.
z Rob W
June 21st, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Cheers for this. Comes at just the right moment for me.
z Yahya
June 21st, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Brilliant…You nailed it seriously …what an article!!
I am 18 years old and i am so grateful that i found this site and read this article. Seriously, you inspired me, so I also thank
that kid that inspired you to write this…. God bless you.
z Betsy Talbot
June 21st, 2010 at 9:05 pm
I would have loved to receive this info at 18 - but I probably would have been too “smart” back then to listen! Amazing
how “dumb” I’ve become 20 years later to actually need this advice.
The best tip I can give an 18-year-old is to repeat #15: Live Below Your Means. You have no idea how much this will
impact every part of your life in the future.
When you live below your means possibilities are always in front of you and you can take the ones you want. When you
live above your means the best life you can have is the one you are currently in, and there is no guarantee it will last if the
market changes, you lose your job, you have children, get sick, or your partner decides to leave. You know, regular life.
We’re getting ready to travel the world in less than 100 days, and it never could have happened with debt and no savings.
All the other lessons can be learned as you age, but once you get consumer debt it is really tough to break free. So don’t do
it!
z Nea | Self Improvement Saga

June 21st, 2010 at 9:52 pm
These are wonderful pieces of advice. Unfortunately, most young people don’t listen even if the information is presented to
them. But that’s okay. True learning comes from experiencing rather than being told.
Thanks for helping me to reflect on all that I’ve learned since age 18.
z Percival J. Meris
June 21st, 2010 at 10:37 pm
I know this is not all that there is to learn in life, but if I had learned, appreciated, and internalized them when I was 18, I
could have lived a better life.
Now, I am 63 I have learned a lot of things that have made me more comfortable living my life. I often say to myself why I
did not learn all these when I was younger, and not when I am in the last chapters of my life.
So, if I was not able to live them in my youth, I have now considered it my mission to share my experiences and the
resulting wisdoms with people through blogging.
And thanks to the wisdoms you share in this blog. Although I have learned a lot through the passing years, there are still a
lot that I should learn. And you are one of the contributors to this learning.
z Sheri
June 21st, 2010 at 11:37 pm
I was just going to take a glance at your blog before dinner time, but when I saw the title, you had me.
I turned 18 one month ago and since then I have been wondering, “what the hell am I going to do with my life?” Just today
some family friends were inquiring into what I wanted to do in my future and I had no idea. I’ve been thrust into the adult
world, even if it is a mere legality (I still have some serious growing up to do, but that goes without saying), and I have no
idea what to do.
So I’ve been doing what the 18 year old did with you, ask adults, any adult, really, how they got to where they were, and if
they had good advice. I hadn’t gotten anything substantive until now, so thank you for that.
Because I’ve been looking for it everywhere, and you just offered it to me on a silver platter. I’ve written it all down, and I
intend do something substantial with it.
z Nathaniel Winfield
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:25 am
I think this is a fantastic article, you’re quite the writer. I stumbled upon this through a google search and thought I would
take the time to read it. A little curiousity never hurt anyone.
As a nineteen year old, in first-year university, in Australia, I’m pretty well aquaunted with life. Haha. No, I’m just a spring
chicken. But, there are two points that personally have helped me in the little time I have lived in the ‘real-world’:
1- Your fear makes you foolish:

You’ve only got one shot to live and there are so many good opportunities out there. So, why don’t you change? You don’t
have to live in this comfort zone, move beyond it! Create a life, don’t step into one.
2-Remember what you live for:

No, you don’t live for your pay cheque, or that t.v. show that is on later tonight. You live for the people around you.They
are what drive and create you, your interactions with people; with others; loved ones beyond yourself. Think about all the
happy times you’ve had so far, when are they? are you alone? No, they are with people!
z Valerie
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:50 am
This list is ageless… I don’t think that you have to be 18 to learn and take from this. Thanks for sharing!
z Naman
June 22nd, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Awesome read!
Thanks a lot for the advice.
z Lauren
June 23rd, 2010 at 4:44 am
Hey Marc,
Great Post. You’re dead on about all of those things. And while I enjoy each and every one in them, I think number 1 is my
favorite.
Life is about doing and trying and then doing it all over again. When you ask people what they regret more: the things they
have done or the things they haven’t done, their answer is always the things they haven’t done.
Making mistakes can be painful, but they are always worth it in the end. Plus, they usually make for the best stories too
z Cristina
June 23rd, 2010 at 5:56 am
Very good post! Very inspiring as well. I wish someone told me all this when I was 18. But I know it now and I will take
care to share my wisdom with those who are less experienced.
There is one more thing I wish someone told me when I was younger: that I was beautiful…
z prufock
June 24th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Thank you for #1. I think it’s exactly what I need to hear. I’m a musician, and my band’s first show is coming up soon. I’ve
been trying to get this going for a year. I’m so nervous, and worried that we aren’t ready, or that the audience won’t like us,
or that my gear is going to break down in the middle of the show… So many What Ifs running through my mind.
Your #1 doesn’t really relieve any of that, but at least I recognize that it’s normal, and I have to commit to just biting the
bullet and doing it, whether it all goes wrong or not. If it doesn’t work out, what’s the worst that could happen? Musically,
I’d still be where I am now. If it does work out, it could be great.
z Ruben Cohen
June 26th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Thank you. I’m 18 too and I found this very inspiring. Yet, I fear that sometimes I don’t know who am I supposed to be…
I mean, I don’t think I know yet what motivates me the most or what my passions are. It is very frustrating.
Anyways, thank you for some really interesting points.
z Erin
June 26th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
I’m 19, and starting my third year in college this fall. I’ve been trying to do these things all my life - but I needed the
reminder. Thanks!
z Grampa Ken: 32 Keys about life

June 27th, 2010 at 9:25 am
When I come across a nice list like that Marc I always wonder; why isn’t self-improvement and health living a part of the
school curriculum? It is such an important subject going forward into the world from high school. My tip for the young
would be to read volumes on life and living, in books, and oh yes, on the internet.
z santosh
June 27th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
After completing three decades of my life time, I still feel I do not belong to where I am. Now this post refreshed all my
old memories. I can attest each and every point mentioned here. I had committed the same mistakes and now I feel I am
wasting the purpose of my life.
I wish I should be 18 while reading this blog. Still I feel re-energized after reading this and I am trying to find out how can
I utilize the rest of my life…
Thanks friend…
z John Sherry
June 29th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Marc all of these absolutely rock and make sense. Let me add, ‘Don’t take yourself so seriously’ and ‘What you worry
about rarely happens’. Still life is about learning and us older folks would always say, ‘If I had a £ for every time I heard
someone say, ‘If I knew then what I know now’, I’d be a millionaire. That kind of wisdom is priceless and called life and it
takes time and experiences to know and believe it.
z Armin
June 29th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Great article , really helpful and inspiring.

Regards from Iran .
z Kristy
June 30th, 2010 at 6:12 am
This is a fantastic article.

I am very happy that I stumbled across it.
Thanks.
z Divya
July 1st, 2010 at 11:24 pm
I like your style of writing. I’m usually not a huge “self-help” type of reader, but this article managed to put a smile on my
face. Thanks
z Luke
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:26 am
Great post, I really enjoyed reading it. Thanks I have to keep reminding myself about #9
z Oscar
Thanks for the reminder, great motivational article!
z Dennis
Good stuff!
/@dennisphang
z Sara
Thank you! Inspiring. /Sara
z Matt Mueller
Beautiful post. Thanks for the inspiration!
z Laura
Beautiful! A really inspiring and up-lifting read. Thank you so much for this!
z Felix
What a great read!

I read an article about how to make a good article/headline a couple of days ago at smashingmagazine.com and this here
made it all right. Addicting words - you just have to know whats the next sentence.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts,

from germany,
Felix
z dbCooper
This is, by far the best article I’ve read in months. Great.
P.S. I’m only 19 now, but everything makes perfect sense …
z Sandra
That is brilliant! I wish I was told those things too but I am definitely heading down the right track. This has inspired me
even more
z Filipe Boldo
Beautiful! Exactly what I had need to read today.
z Shiv Deepak
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:17 am
Awesome article.. have bookmarked it so that i can read whenever I be be upset..
z Evan Skuthorpe web designer

July 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
that’s some sound advice!
z Amy Sloan
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:50 pm
I’m 25 and have been feeling pretty shitty about life, friends, etc. lately. I read this blog this morning and it made me feel a
little better about it all.
Thank you!
z Marge
Great Article and nice career motivator… I’m starting to think of it now…Keep up the good work & God Bless…=D
z Dave
… and trust me on the sunscreen thing.
Great article. I’m forwarding to my 19-year-old nephews (and re-reading as a 40-year old). Thanks!
z Suntrack
Do you have such list for age of 40!

I need it.
z Eric Blue
Excellent post, thanks for doing this! It would be great if something like this could turn into a meme… imagine getting 18
great tips like these from hundreds or thousands of other people.
z Jane O'Riordan
July 3rd, 2010 at 1:03 pm
What excellent, intuitive advice. Easy to say - maybe less hard to do. I have sent this to my two teenagers. I hope they
digest it and take it on board. If more people followed these points they would happier. ‘To dream of the person you want
to be is to waste the person you are’. I think of this every day.
z KyleWith
July 4th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Thanks for the tips. I think these will go a long way, consider I’m still only 19
I especially like #15, I look around at people my own age and they are already 20,30,40 thousand dollars in debt. I just
could imagine doing that.
Thanks.
z Brian
July 5th, 2010 at 12:15 am
A lesson it took me until my 30’s to learn is that maintaining something is always easier than getting it back. That applies
to your health, career, relationships, car, house, wealth, etc. It’s something I learned when I worked in sales but never
applied to myself at the time. It’s always easier to keep customers than to get new ones or win old ones back. The
application of this lesson is endless - keep your resume updated (not just when you lose your job), don’t take your spouse,
kids or friends for granted, get to the gym a few times a week and keep the junk food\drinking in moderation, floss every
day, get your oil changed regularly, save 10% of your paycheck, and on and on. Almost everyone in their 40’s with a
potbelly and high blood pressure or that’s living paycheck to paycheck said “that will never be me” when they were 18.
These simple things we know we should do sometimes get away from us.
Another lesson it took me about a decade to learn is not to be a workaholic. After you’ve been through several cycles of
people resigning\getting fired\promoted, you see a strange pattern develop. It’s not always the people who come in early,
stay late or work weekends who get the promotions. Come in on time, always give 100% but don’t stay late unless its an
emergency. Working 60 hours a week only makes you the first person they come to when there’s extra work to be done.
z Alex Parr
July 5th, 2010 at 5:40 am
What a truly wonderful article, Marc, and I am so pleased that a friend recommended it to me. I am not 18 but the points
you raise are so important and I would say treating others as you would treat yourself is an absolute must and so too is
doing something that you really enjoy. Life is not a dress rehearsal, so enjoy the time that you have. I personally think that
this article should not only be addressed to 18 year olds but 40 year olds and upwards - life lessons that they still should
learn - you are never too old to try! I shall definitely be following your blog from now on.
Again, many thanks.
Alex
http://brains-trust.co.uk
http://twitter.com/alexparr
z Bobby b
July 5th, 2010 at 11:38 am
I really enjoyed reading this post!
Thank you for your insight and experience.
Life is much easier on paper, we all need to work our life muscles in order to keep these principles at the cutting edge of
our day to day.
These words are too easily forgotten, and regret is a killer.
z Jeremy D
This post is awesome for a teenager!
I’m a 3rd year college student and did exactly this and moved from MN to FL for an internship and it has helped me in
more than one way.
Everyone should never quit reaching for their dreams, it will come eventually.
z Indeshaw Adenaw
Great post. Thank you.
z Sheva
July 8th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
What a great post. It brought tears to my eyes. At 33 years old I am just now learning some of these lessons and wish
someone older and wiser had helped me out when I was 18.
z Kathy
July 12th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Nice post.
z Craig Thomas
July 15th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Excellent post! Really made me think. I agree with pretty much every single one. If only… if only…
z Harshit Singhal
July 16th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Great post Marc. I’m 18 and I’ll implement these tips as soon as I can !
z Josien
July 20th, 2010 at 11:38 am
Thank you so much for sharing.
z shrikant
July 21st, 2010 at 11:09 pm
it’s really nice post
thanks a lot for such a nice blog……
z Indra
July 22nd, 2010 at 12:42 am
I wish someone told me about sex education.
z Matt
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:54 am
Yeah, if only someone would have told me all that stuff! The person I am today vs. at 18 years old is on a whole new
planet!
-study hard to get to college

-get a job
-get good benefits
-get retirement
-etc. ad nauseum
self help, personal development, build your ideal life
z Aparna
July 26th, 2010 at 2:18 am
Amazing info! Thank you so much for posting this
z Arun Prasad
August 10th, 2010 at 7:47 am
நன்றி. That’s “Thank You” in Tamil
z Shtrumphu
August 10th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
That was great! You just opened my eyes to some things. But you should let go too of things you cannot change, because
you speak a lot about not following someone elses dream, you give me the impression that you made this mistake, so let
go. If i am wrong, sorry, never mind. Just hope you actually read this.
z Mills billions
Hay man, i guess i owe u one. Your article has really inspired me, and i can only imagine the number of lives you have
touched out there. Yeah its a great work! And believe so much in you. Just keep it up.
z Nikia
August 21st, 2010 at 1:14 am
This is the absolute best thing I’ve ever read in my LIFE, thank you so much for posting this.
After reading this it kinda makes you think about your life and what your going to do with it. Hopefully I’ll follow what
you said and keep everyone of these questions in mind for the future.
Thanks again,
Nikia
z Ghassan
August 21st, 2010 at 11:38 pm
the best I’ve ever read
z Ajinkya
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:39 pm
That is really wonderful and helpful blog!!!
Cheers!!
z Skip
Thanks so much for posting this!
I’m 18 and in my second week of college. I’m the shy, nerdy, socially-awkward type, and though I have a career plan, I’m
really afraid that I’m not going to pick the right major, make enough friends, enough money, etc….
Your article is really helpful, and highlights things that are both new to most people, and some things that we just need to
be reminded of from time to time.
Definitely bookmarking this so I can look at it when I’m feeling uncertain again. Thank you!
z Kathy Sena - Parent Talk Today

As the mom of a 14-year-old son who starts high school in two days, I read this post with great interest and appreciation.
So well said. And such good advice, not only for young people but also for middle-aged people like me. A great reminder
about what counts in life.
I’m going to give this to my son. It’s a keeper. Thanks a bunch.
z Misty Funk
September 3rd, 2010 at 3:51 pm
This post is relevant for any age. I most relate to the “live below your means” one. I just watched a series called
Millionaires on Hulu.com today. One of the shows was on getting out of debt. I love that living below your means can help
you prevent debt to begin with.
The only debt I have is student loan debt. I do wish I had lived below my means when I was accumulating debt in school. I
do now, but I am paying for the high life in professional school.
z Maria R.
September 7th, 2010 at 6:43 am
I love the article. It’s so true. Thank you (sun)
z Muralidhar
Beautiful entry. Really inspired by this. Just gave a moment to think and felt the same, someone should have told me these
things 8yrs back to me as well. Thanks for inspiring me
z deepak sharma
September 17th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
Wonderful post! Keep it up !
z RAFFY SALAYON
I disagree on the no.1 IDEA????

(Commit yourself to making lots of mistakes.)
- i really don’t believe that this thing really works

bec. you learn from others, from their past, so why bother commit a mistakes if you know how to solve it, and besides you
can always GOOGLE everything. DON’T ever commit a mistake or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.
-Just always be an OBSERVANT person for you to gain knowledge.
-maybe thats why we study our History to shape ourselves or to shape our future.
-DON’T believe too much to yourself that’s why friends,family and God exist. ALWAYS be patient. ALWAYS consult
them for you to have a better idea.
-maybe that’s also the reason why people gets old.
for us to learned from their mistakes or successes.
so we can improve ourselves to become better than them.
z Brady
September 27th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Wonderful post. I am grateful for every opportunity I get to influence a “punk kid” to learn from my mistakes…
z Peliswa
Wow… I am astonished. I greatly appreciate the effort you put in informing me and others like myself. I am 18 also and I
am going to live my life according to your advice. Thank you!!!
z TLD7996
October 17th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Great guidance, ty, will share this with my children
z Dan B
December 1st, 2010 at 3:19 am
18 was 30 years ago for me. One thing I wish I realized a lot sooner is that time is the most valuable thing we have. It’s the
only thing we have. Everything else can be taken away from us and we can probably bounce back. When we’re out time,
we’re out. There’s no getting it back. You really notice it when you realize you have more of it behind you than ahead of
you.
z Joyce
December 6th, 2010 at 7:11 am
18 was so long ago. I’m Glad that I am older & I’m just going to enjoy live each day, and thank God for each special thnig.
z Howes
Thanks for the post.
I’m in the exact same position now. I am reflecting on my life and I am so uncertain of so many things right now. It feels
good to be reminded that it is ok to make mistakes and it’s a real booster to hear that I should make as many mistakes as I
can (and while I can).
z Adam
I found this blog through one of followers on my twitter. Amazing and do true. It opens eyes for sure. I’m not in 20’s
anymore, and honestly saying I sometimes think what I would change if I could reverse time 20 years back or at least 15.
Well, it would be a lot. You are writing something what my 70 years old friend told me last month while we were drinking
coffee in Tokyo. I wrote about it in my blog. Very inspiring words both of you added to my life. I think Japanese should
read this. Their culture is hide, do not express yourself, smile even you are angry, do not try things because of opinion and
shame if you fail and more.
I will sign up to your RSS. Thank You again for inspiration. Thank you to be me and to be where I am.
z Linda
December 16th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Great post! Thank you.
z Caitlin
December 17th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
This post truly inspired me. Believe it or not (because I’m not worrying too much about what others think of me), this
really changed the way I look at my life. Thank you so much.
z Maria
Thanks for such great advice!
z marie
This is amazing.
Every time I read your article it inspires me to go out there and try out new things.
Thank you!
z minhtam
How amazing! this blog really is something.Even though I’m 22 now but it’s never too late to start over again ,right ?
z Rohit
January 4th, 2011 at 4:48 am
I can relate to most of the points in this article! Amazing it is, just loved it
z Sharon Languzzi
January 5th, 2011 at 11:57 pm
WOW–WOW–WOW! Probably one of the single greatest things I have read in my adult life and I am 50 years old! I am
immediatley forwarding this to my 17 year old daughter, all of her friends, and my nieces! Thanks from the very bottom of
my heart! YOU ROCK!!!
z Esperanza
January 11th, 2011 at 12:48 am
towards the end of this article i fell in love with a quote “above all laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let
go of what you can not change life is short yet amazing enjoy the ride” I decided to use this quote as my senior quote
thanks.
Esperanza R.
z Alexander Lee
January 17th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Great article, I really like this website.
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18 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I Was 18 Page 1 of 20

Marc and Angel Hack Life

June 21st, 2010 @ 1:44 am by: Marc

18 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I Was 18

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Filed under Career, Hacks, Life, Productivity

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Thanks for the genuine advice.

Excellent post and excellent blog!!

Wonderful post Marc.

The details are here http://www.abubakarjamil.com/known-earlier-life/

Kindly do lemme know your interest.

z Eduard @ People Skills Decoded

I am so inspired by this post. In fact I’m going to compose one called:

I love this site and learn so much. Thank you.

z parker lee | howtomingle.com

Hi Marc, wonder post, always!

Hope you all have a fun, productive week!

As a kid who’s not even 18 yet, I thank you.

Great post! Especially agree with points 1 and 3.

Brilliant…You nailed it seriously …what an article!!

z Nea | Self Improvement Saga

1- Your fear makes you foolish:

2-Remember what you live for:

Thanks a lot for the advice.

Anyways, thank you for some really interesting points.

z Grampa Ken: 32 Keys about life

Great article , really helpful and inspiring.

This is a fantastic article.

Thanks for the reminder, great motivational article!

Thank you! Inspiring. /Sara

Beautiful post. Thanks for the inspiration!

What a great read!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts,

P.S. I’m only 19 now, but everything makes perfect sense …

Beautiful! Exactly what I had need to read today.

Awesome article.. have bookmarked it so that i can read whenever I be be upset..

z Evan Skuthorpe web designer

that’s some sound advice!

… and trust me on the sunscreen thing.

Do you have such list for age of 40!

I really enjoyed reading this post!

Thank you for your insight and experience.

These words are too easily forgotten, and regret is a killer.

This post is awesome for a teenager!

Great post. Thank you.

Thank you so much for sharing.

it’s really nice post

thanks a lot for such a nice blog……

I wish someone told me about sex education.

-study hard to get to college

self help, personal development, build your ideal life

Amazing info! Thank you so much for posting this

நன்றி. That’s “Thank You” in Tamil

the best I’ve ever read

That is really wonderful and helpful blog!!!

Thanks so much for posting this!

z Kathy Sena - Parent Talk Today