I turned 26 last month... What advice would you give your 26 year old self?

What's up savages,


I turned 26 years old last month. I am wondering what advice would you give your 26 year old self, or what are some things you wish you knew at 26?

🎈 Mentorship
💆‍♂ Mindset
🏄 Personal Life
54
CoorsKing
WR Officer
40
Retired King of the Coors Knights
The grass is not always greener 
You are 26. Don’t rush shit, be patient and learn
Don’t get drunk at work events, especially when you have a morning meeting. Soda water with a lime works just fine
Dont hook up with coworkers 
Do more cocaine
Everybody at work is on stimulants 
Nothing is ever “off the record”
They can see what you send on Slack
TheNegotiator
Arsonist
21
VP of Sales
Idk about the cocaine, coffee has always worked for me.

Also, I agree with the don’t rush, but also disagree. Rush a lot.

26 was the year I was proven wrong and someone showed me you can make big money in your 20s and you don’t have to wait until you have experience and tenure etc.

Rush. Don’t kill yourself rushing. Don’t burn yourself out rushing toward nothing. But rush. Get ahead, sooner and faster than everyone else. Believe that it can be done, and DONT believe the bullshit people feed you about how you’re young and you have time. Yes, you have time. But you don’t have time to waste.
champchamp
Arsonist
4
Certified Savage
Straight fire. I think you are right on point about the rush/no rush mindset. Thank you.
Bertgrozhen
Executive
0
Account Executive
Completely agree.  

You have time, but no time to waste.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
14
🦊
Emphasis on don't dip your pen in company ink. 💯
TheNegotiator
Arsonist
3
VP of Sales
Hahahahaha, there’s a story here.

I recently commented something similar. And it’s true, but it’s tempting af.
CaneWolf
Politicker
4
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
Cannot emphasize the second one enough.
Gyro25
Notorious Answer
2
Account Executive
Have a chick from marketing who's been messaging me on my personal number now and then to "Learn about sales".. Thank god we're remote..lol
funcoupons
WR Officer
9
👑
You can do better than someone in marketing, I promise.
KingofGIF
Politicker
2
AE
I'm on a similar boat, work remote and a chick took the convo off from slack to chat about stuff...
Gyro25
Notorious Answer
0
Account Executive
Oh yeah, we're off slack now.. Fortunately, we're on opposite ends of the country lol
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Glad to hear that because sometimes I get mad at myself, feel like I haven't accomplished enough. 

Working on it though! Keeping in mind to be grateful about what I have and proud of what I've accomplished, but always looking to achieve more and pushing myself to reach new goals (: Thank you!
champchamp
Arsonist
3
Certified Savage
Hahahaha I think girls in marketing are often cute. I can't be the only one... right?
jefe
Arsonist
2
🍁
@champchamp they are often some cuties in that department..
funcoupons
WR Officer
3
👑
Decent eye candy, but insufferable as soon as they open their mouths. Not worth it.
TheNegotiator
Arsonist
5
VP of Sales
Literally broke up with a chick in marketing about 3 weeks ago.

Smokeshow. Also whiny, and demanding. No thanks.
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
@TheNegotiator sounds about right. 
champchamp
Arsonist
1
Certified Savage
Agreed 100%
SaaSsy
Politicker
4
AE
😂 that last one!
champchamp
Arsonist
2
Certified Savage
Love it. I was expecting "Do hook up with coworkers" and "Don't do cocaine" but I like the advice nonetheless 
champchamp
Arsonist
1
Certified Savage
Glad a Sales Director told me about the slack thing too... very glad haha
theSADNESSisreal
Executive
0
SAD
Did we just become best friends?
bandabanda
Tycoon
0
Senior AE Mid Market
Wait wait wait....the slack thing is for real??
champchamp
Arsonist
1
Certified Savage
Haha, it is man! Got it confirmed from two reliable sources.
E_Money
Big Shot
14
💰
I would say: "Stop masturbating so much, you have arthritis in your family. "
champchamp
Arsonist
1
Certified Savage
Solid advice haha
Filth
Politicker
13
Live Filthy or Die Clean
Put at least $500 from each paycheck aside as savings and if its a pure comish check, throw 50% in.

If you have student loans pay them off over everything, you'll sleep easier.

If you have credit cards, pay that shit off asap, don't leave balance from month to month that'll compound.

Understand that just b/c someone was shitty to you it doesn't mean you had anything to do with it. We are all broken pieces looking to be whole and shit happens to everyone every day. You can only control how you let it affect you.

If you don't want kids, wrap it up, don't trust non relationship women's birth control or your pull out game.

Other than a that...don't do heroin? or anything that will fuck you up similarly. Stay on the fun but won't fuck your life up drug & alcohol regiment.
DIYguy
Good Citizen
7
Sales Manager
How about…. Live within your means. Buy a cheap ass car. Rent a tiny ass apartment not in SF. Pay yourself first. Max out your 401k, buy a house before you’re 30…. Expect 66% of your pipeline to choose someone else to buy from, have a goal to be the #1 rep. Do these things and you’ll actually be able to support a family in your thirties, travel wherever you want, and not stress out when real responsibilities hit later down the road. Find someone who believes in you and what you want to accomplish in life. Ditch the entitlement to a high paying job because you went to college. Don’t buy into the bullshit flaunting you see people doing in their 20s, they will be stressed the f out later in life. Study sales, ask the best for golden nuggets of wisdom, and actually do them. Realize that you probably suck and that’s ok, you can practice to get better and keep trying. Have blind faith. 
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Man, this advice is awesome. Love everything but mainly the "Don’t buy into the bullshit flaunting you see people doing in their 20s, they will be stressed the f out later in life." as well as "realize you probably suck and that's ok, you can practice..." 

thanks man!
champchamp
Arsonist
2
Certified Savage
Strong advice, thankfully I stopped trusting my pull out game years ago. Better the keep the hero masked.
funcoupons
WR Officer
12
👑
Get into sales now.
Stop caring about pretty much everything, you'll be happier for it.
You're a Queen, stop hanging out with the peasants. 
champchamp
Arsonist
2
Certified Savage
Haha love #3. Will put #2 in practice (: 
bandabanda
Tycoon
0
Senior AE Mid Market
Wish I had gotten into sales 8 years ago, sheesh.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
What did you do before sales? And when did you get into sales?
bandabanda
Tycoon
0
Senior AE Mid Market
@champchamp putzed around with my degree, took me several years to graduated with my Bachelor's. Then worked in higher-education (at the university I got my degree from). Got into tech sales a little less than 2 years ago.
BmajoR
Arsonist
10
Account Executive
Call your parents frequently and see them often. 

Edit: that applies to all family members you're close to. 
champchamp
Arsonist
3
Certified Savage
Definitely keeping this one in mind, made me think about my mom and grandma, and how much I love them. 
TennisandSales
Politicker
9
Head Of Sales
1. dont be afraid of job hopping. 
2. Find the best fit and then commit to being great. 
3. ALWAYS look out for your self because no company will do it for you. 
4. Take the highest base you can find. Comp will always change but lowering some's base is rare. 
5. The most important person in the company is your direct boss make sure they dont suck. 
6. dont leave the bar with that chick in chicago.....it wont end well. 
CaneWolf
Politicker
4
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
Did you get #6 pregnant?
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
😂😂😂😂😂😂

thank god no. 
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Haha What happened then?
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Would you mind sharing a bit more about the first one? Also, love the second one.

Thank you, particularly for #4. Learned #5 the hard way.

Lastly... Did #6 take half of everything you own? Haha
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
As long as you have a solid reason for leaving a job (better opportunity, or leaving a toxic environment, new industry ect.) it doesn’t matter if you were there for 4 months or 4 years

When i got into Saas i had 3 jobs in 3 years.

While i was going through that i was really concerned about how i would
Be perceived by companies. But i realized, that once you are able to communicate your story effectively more ppl will understand where you are coming from.
champchamp
Arsonist
1
Certified Savage
Thank you, great point and i think I am experiencing that a little bit as I was only 6 months with my previous company but people don't seem to mind once you explain the reasoning behind it
CaneWolf
Politicker
8
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
-Don't worry about (insert person of romantic interest) in the year (insert year). You'll move on and go "what was I thinking."
-Watch out for the bad actors in your work life. There are a lot of them.
-Stop trying to join start-ups. You'll end up hating all of them.
-Get angry at fewer things. Get a good therapist ASAP.
-Don't waste time on things that don't make you happy or have an obvious benefit in your life.
-Keep saving that money.
-Buy real estate in Denver, Raleigh, Boise, Charlotte, Philly, Bozeman, etc.
-Short Russian stocks to start 2022.

Kiona
Opinionated
1
Head of Business Development
Hahhaaaaa. Add invest in zoom, gong, construction renovation companies puzzles & toilet paper at the start of 2020.
CaneWolf
Politicker
0
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
Excellent points.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
2nd one about a therapist, might need to get one soon haha
KingofGIF
Politicker
5
AE
Just a few years older, so probably in the best position to share some wise:
-Look at your grandpa's pics, does he have hair? Regardless of the answer, seek expert help to delay or stop that receding hairline unless you already look like a hundred dollar bill, by the time you can see noticeable signs, shit is real, and kinda late.


champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Haha good one, already taking care of my hair which thankfully is in good condition. I think a healthy overall lifestyle has the biggest impact.

What practices or products have you tried?
SaaSyBee
Politicker
3
Founder
People will try to treat you like you're too young to know anything, but trust your gut. If you're in a situation where you feel like people aren't respecting you, leave.

Enjoy your health and youth. Something happens when you hit 30 and you can't do as many of the things you used to do. Suddenly you get hungover. Suddenly you feel the need to nap constantly.

And on the same note, do everything you can to maintain your health. It's much harder to regain once you let things slip.

Invest as much money as you can, but since you're in sales, I'm also gonna say, take your PTO and travel wherever you want. 
champchamp
Arsonist
2
Certified Savage
Thank you, +1 for traveling often 
Fenderbaum
Politicker
3
Retired Choirboy🪕
Do not get married until you're in your 30's.
champchamp
Arsonist
1
Certified Savage
Definitely planning on following this advice 
Aurelius
Member
2
SDR
I'm turning 28 soon here in a few months. I believe that everyone walks their own path and it serves little purpose to compare yourself to anybody else, this is something that I learned and am still learning every day. I would have told myself at 19 this.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Great point, everyone is unique and has a unique path and aspirations. I am not comparing myself but hoping to hear from others' experience and take what applies to me.e
Justatitle
Big Shot
2
Account Executive
Get the vasectomy…
champchamp
Arsonist
1
Certified Savage
Haha how many kids do you have?

Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
2 little angels
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Awww haha that's awesome
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
At 26 I was recently married but no kids yet.  The advice I would have given my 26 year old self would have been to work hard and earn as much money over 6-8 months, not spending anything I didn't have to spend.  Then go do something crazy for 4-6 month - backpack Europe or South America, go climb something, or something else on my current bucket list.
champchamp
Arsonist
1
Certified Savage
That's awesome, I just came back from spending 3 months in Colombia, might be a good idea to do something similar in the next 2 years again
brettfaggionato
2
Senior Account Executive
Become an expert at EQ.
Build your reputation of being a hard worker with impeccable character.
Make sure you maximize 401k & stock purchase program even if hurts a little.
If you don't have children pour yourself into developing your career early on. You will most likely need to change jobs to advance at a faster pace.
If you are not married, make sure you choose a partner that is able to maintain long term relationships and is easy to get along with. Move on quickly, if not. Don't think you can fix anyone. Zig Ziegler said that your eyes should be wide open before marriage and half shut afterwards.

champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Love the second one. I don't have children yet so definitely will follow your advice. Thank you!
10XQLA
Politicker
2
Medical Sales Assassin
I wish I never went to college, because I wasted time and money as I was destined to be a Sales Professional. Be more self aware and always chase the money and opportunity and not "your passion " like the gurus say....
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Interesting take, thanks for sharing.
LordOfWar
Tycoon
2
Blow it up
Lift with your legs.
Fenderbaum
Politicker
0
Retired Choirboy🪕
Good Lord, yes.
playerone
Politicker
1
Regional Account Executive
Don’t let people stay in your life that disrupt your energy. My job is sales and I cannot let anyone mess up the mojo. Also, fully find your 401k—at least do the employer match.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
100% Some people are literally energy drainers
Hoopnip
Politicker
0
Commercial AE
Definitely put the max in your 401k pre tax if you can afford it and then max out a Roth IRA post tax if you’re making good money. Do this until your CPA tells you it doesn’t benefit you anymore.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Appreciate the advice, gotta look into a roth ira
Gyro25
Notorious Answer
1
Account Executive
From a 28-year-old:

- Take it easy on the booze(Seriously)
- Workout, walk daily, eat well, make friends, travel
- Always, always wrap it up.
- Focus on honing your skills to make yourself indispensable, not your career at your company
champchamp
Arsonist
1
Certified Savage
I love the last one
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
1
AE
Everyone's advice is going to be unique but for me? Look out for your health and fitness above all. Seriously, people respect you more when you look good and chicks are more likely to hook up with you as well. Do not be that fat drunk slob that works in sales.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Haha I agree, I genuinely think that people tend to be more willing to do business with someone that looks fit and healthy.
Hoopnip
Politicker
0
Commercial AE
Nah. Dad bod for life. Still took down hot chicks and made a fuck ton of $$$. No one cares if your ( insert whatever male celebrity / athlete that’s in incredible shape ) in a meeting. “People respect you more” if you’re in shape is some Jason Bateman shit. Keep flexing in the mirror Hercules.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
I gotta disagree man. It's not about fucking hot chicks but about being and feeling healthy. 

People do get a better vibe from you for the most if you are fit and healthy compared to if you are a fat slob IMO.
makingfetchhappen
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
Jason Bateman and Patrick Bateman are two very different people.
0PercentCloseRate
Politicker
1
Oh boy
Eat McDonald's; Drink Lite Beer
champchamp
Arsonist
1
Certified Savage
Can it be in n out instead?
0PercentCloseRate
Politicker
1
Oh boy
Only if you keep it animal style
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Animal style always
UserNotFound
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Don’t make decisions based on fear, facts only.
Get back into therapy, it’ll make ^ much easier.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Nice, I think therapy is good for everyone
Kiona
Opinionated
1
Head of Business Development
Save 50% of the money. It’s harder when the partner and kids come along.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Great point, working on it for sure
Hoopnip
Politicker
1
Commercial AE
Wear a condom and save your commissions. Recessions are real.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Haha thankfully ive been doing both
Hoopnip
Politicker
1
Commercial AE
Tech isn’t the end all be all. Try different industries and jobs. Lie on your resume to get paid more. Fake it until you make it for the rest of your life. No one really knows what they are doing . We’re all faking it to some extent.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Have you successfully lied on your resume to get paid more? Share how it went if you did haha
Annonny
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
just do it! 
champchamp
Arsonist
1
Certified Savage
Hell yeah! Haha
AnchorPoint
Politicker
1
Business Coach
Every function/event with business contacts or peers is ALWAYS business - doesn't matter if you are in the office or on a lake fishing - conduct yourself accordingly.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Agreed. Have seen fuck up their personal brand at the company for drinking a bit too much at our SKO.
Devil
Fire Starter
1
Partner
- close more deals in the bedroom before locking one down. 
- when you do lock one partner down, make sure they are equally as driven/hungry as you or at least come close
- save more money, don't ubereats or uber too much unless absolutely necessary. put it in some kind of investments.
- get physically fit, its harder later
- like someone else said, go through everything and break shit faster... before you know it, 30 will come a-knocking.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Haha building bedroom pipeline to take the best offer. Thanks for the saving money tip, I think now it's the time to build.
OldSchoolEightiesStyle
Good Citizen
1
Global Vice President
Don't bullshit, there's a fine line between bullshitting and lying.  
- Don't lie.
Recognize the value of working for a good company and with good people.
- Don't job jump just for the money.
Attitude is everything!
- even if you're going through hell.  Be the bigger person
And always work with the mindset of you found this job and you be able to find another
- this gives you the guts to take risks
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Learned to job jump one the hard way haha. 

Love the attitude is everything, I think a good attitude does really open a toon of doors.

That lat one is fire too. Thank you.
The_Sales_Badger
Notorious Answer
1
Account Executive
Take more vacations.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Good to know! Thanks.
CorporateStiff
Executive
1
Account Executive
Stop spending all your money on drugs and fine dining. Start your retirement fund instead. At that point in life I had already been married for five years so I would have also told myself that kids are a good idea! I waited till 28 to have my first and wish we would’ve done it a little sooner. Like a year or two sooner but no more. Good luck!
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Thank you! Why do you wish you had done it sooner? I usually hear the opposite so interested in hearing more.
CorporateStiff
Executive
0
Account Executive
Having kids is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done but also the most rewarding and amazing experience I’ve ever had. If we had started having kids just a couple years earlier, it would have been a little easier, i think. Would have taken my earnings more seriously, would have forced me to take my professional development more seriously, etc. Let alone that the energy i had in my mid-twenties would have been great to use towards something better than drinking games and staying up as late as i could each night. Hindsight is 20/20, Champ!
SADNESSLieutenant
Politicker
0
Officer of ♥️
Have fun.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Will do