My general career advice for people in their 20s

- Figure out what you want to be when you grow up

- If that's too hard, figure out where you want to be in 5 years

- Work backwards from there, what's the best next move that gets you closer to that goal

- Optimize for 1 thing at a time; optimizing for multiple things usually leads to worse near-term decisions

- Avoid side quests rationalizing the optionality or ability to return the main quest later

comment on this as a 20 something with a developed prefrontal cortex

(i have skin in the game)

"figure out what you want to be when you grow up" is the most important piece of action you can take

probably most important challenge and it takes years to figure out

you can respect zuck, dhh, @fredwilson.eth or karpathy at the same time and want to be like all of them

but their lives, lifestyles, families, problems and stories are completely different

and probably not even applicable to yours

so you really need to figure out what end goal suits you the best and be very focused on what will help you achieve this particular one

customer support @supercast

trying to sound smart /doingnumbers

I'm not a 20-something.  I'm a 40-something.  I'm still "growing up."  I ask myself every year, "What do I want to be when I grow up?"  I wanted to be a perpetual student, so I became one.  It took time, gradually built up a ride-or-die audience, and some stellar social media community building skills along the way, got to where I needed to be, and resumed the degree I paused 20 years ago.  I continue to ask myself what do I want to be when I grow up because I am always growing.

Devotional polytheist living a monastic lifestyle centered on curiosity, simplicity, and joy.  Exploring the intersection of technology and spirituality.

You've already got a growth mindset.  I have no doubt that will continue.

i hope i will continue asking myself this question in the 40s too!