Here’s what I think I learned in my 20’s

Being busy doesn’t mean you are productive. Take time to organize and prepare. Multitasking is overrated.

Market downturns aren’t all that bad. If any group of people should be thrilled when the stock market goes down—it’s young people. Enjoy the fact that when the stock market falls, your 401(k) contribution will buy more shares of investments. Think of this like going to Costco and being able to fill your shopping cart with much more stuff, without paying more.

Budgets don’t work. But gradual lifestyle changes do. Skipping coffee every morning probably won’t make you a millionaire. You will probably spend that $2 elsewhere.

Learn to say “no.” Successful people are selective in what they are involved with. You can’t please everybody and you can’t take on every task or project you’re given.

Create routines. Professional athletes have pregame rituals; comedians have specific warm up routines. I’ve carried the same Cross pen with me to every single meeting of my professional career. What is your constant?

You probably shouldn’t buy subscriptions (well, except for Netflix). Most difficult-to-cancel subscription services are more frustrating than beneficial.

Automate your finances. When your paycheck automatically connects to your savings, funds your investments every month, and pays your bills on time—you may be getting rich without realizing it.

Do your best to connect with people. Listen 90% of the time and talk 10% of the time.

Network (a lot). You never know where your next opportunity, friendship, or life changing event will come from.

While at conferences: Sit in the front row during speaker sessions and presentations—that’s where the most interesting and successful people congregate. It took me a while to realize this.

Try to get a little bit better each day. A little more efficient, a little more likable, a little more intelligent.

Negotiate everything. Your initial salary is obvious, but I’ve learned to negotiate much more throughout my 20’s. Rent can be negotiated. Cars should never be purchased anywhere close to full price. We live in a world of constant bargaining.

Changing your mind is fine. It’s perfectly OK (and normal) to discard old beliefs and replace them with new thoughts and behaviors.

When speaking in public: Be brief, be funny, and be interesting.

The little things matter. Say hello in the elevator instead of staring down at your phone. Hold the door open when someone is behind you.

Do things that are out of your comfort zone. Notice the people who are in the same exact place they were 10 years ago. Why is that?

Find a mentor (and be a mentor). Nothing is more satisfying then becoming a mentor after being mentored for so long.

Read more books and watch less TV. Your imagination wakes up when there isn’t a picture.

And lastly: Never stop learning. I’ve learned more in the last 5 years of my life than my first 25 combined.