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2.75k reviews for:
The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter—And How to Make the Most of Them Now
Meg Jay
3.93 AVERAGE
2.75k reviews for:
The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter—And How to Make the Most of Them Now
Meg Jay
3.93 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
fast-paced
I felt so anxious reading this. This feels like a reality check for anyone in their 20s. The first half was great, and I appreciate the brutal honesty. The last half was intriguing to read about but I had not taken away a lot from the last half.
Some notes I’d taken
- identity capital - degrees, skills, that is part of your identity assets
- Underemployment kills career. Dont waste your first few years after degree in overqualified jobs and not advancing career
- Saying yes - Eric Schmitt
- Urban Tribe / Weakened Ties - strength of ties we dont know well leads to jobs - evidence based
- Linked In or Facebook search for informational interview with people who work at companies you want to work at
- Ben Franklin Effect. While attitude influence behaviors, behavior can also impact influence; one favor begets another, small favors begets larger favors
- My life is upto me, no one else can save me
- Being confused at choices is hoping life will happen without you taking charge (it won’t)
- The longer I wait, the fewer the choices
- The Jam Experiment; 6 jam flavors led to more sales ; 24 flavors less sales as more choice so people don’t know what to choose
- No 24 jam flavors for 20 somethings, its a myth, no 20 something has 24 options
- What needs to be done to support the life you want?
- Think about marriage/ relationships early
- Conscientiousness/ extroversion / agreeableness/ openness / neuroticism (personality matters in relationships)
- Forward thinking/ the more you use your brain, the more you will have to use your brain
- If you want to conquer fear, dont sit at home and think about it, go out and be busy
- Body clock and fertility in both men and women is impacted as you age; if you want kids. Older men are more likely to produce kids with neurological conditions like Schizophrenia or Autism
An essential for young adults!
Some notes I’d taken
- identity capital - degrees, skills, that is part of your identity assets
- Underemployment kills career. Dont waste your first few years after degree in overqualified jobs and not advancing career
- Saying yes - Eric Schmitt
- Urban Tribe / Weakened Ties - strength of ties we dont know well leads to jobs - evidence based
- Linked In or Facebook search for informational interview with people who work at companies you want to work at
- Ben Franklin Effect. While attitude influence behaviors, behavior can also impact influence; one favor begets another, small favors begets larger favors
- My life is upto me, no one else can save me
- Being confused at choices is hoping life will happen without you taking charge (it won’t)
- The longer I wait, the fewer the choices
- The Jam Experiment; 6 jam flavors led to more sales ; 24 flavors less sales as more choice so people don’t know what to choose
- No 24 jam flavors for 20 somethings, its a myth, no 20 something has 24 options
- What needs to be done to support the life you want?
- Think about marriage/ relationships early
- Conscientiousness/ extroversion / agreeableness/ openness / neuroticism (personality matters in relationships)
- Forward thinking/ the more you use your brain, the more you will have to use your brain
- If you want to conquer fear, dont sit at home and think about it, go out and be busy
- Body clock and fertility in both men and women is impacted as you age; if you want kids. Older men are more likely to produce kids with neurological conditions like Schizophrenia or Autism
An essential for young adults!
4.5 stars. I do rarely read non-fiction, and never what I would call “self help” books. But this was so eye opening. I just turned 21. I feel like I want to plan out my whole life right now. I feel more motivated than ever, particularly for working which is something I notoriously hate. I also really want to see a therapist now lol.
Short read, clear msg: 20s is the last brain growth spurt, increase your human capital now (social/technical), have children while you can, realize that the 20s period is supposed to be about hard work and feeling inadequate - be calm about it and carry on. Personality rarely changes after one reaches 30, make the changes now.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This book freaked me out a bit, but I enjoyed reading about my generation and could relate to a lot of what she shared.
Some highlights: the people you don't know well are actually good resources because they are not like you and can connect you to people you don't know yet; happiness is relative and you can only find your own, comparing yours to others is not worth it; seize the day...live now, don't put things off til you're 30
Some highlights: the people you don't know well are actually good resources because they are not like you and can connect you to people you don't know yet; happiness is relative and you can only find your own, comparing yours to others is not worth it; seize the day...live now, don't put things off til you're 30
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
LOVED THIS BOOK!!
Learned that I have had no new experiences and there are other twentysomethings going through the same problems and crises as me. Very comforting.
It was separated into Work, Love, and Brain and Body. Really connected with the Work part, knew most of the content about Love and the Brain and Body, but still interesting to read. Very short and quick, I don’t buy books but may buy this to read again.
Learned that I have had no new experiences and there are other twentysomethings going through the same problems and crises as me. Very comforting.
It was separated into Work, Love, and Brain and Body. Really connected with the Work part, knew most of the content about Love and the Brain and Body, but still interesting to read. Very short and quick, I don’t buy books but may buy this to read again.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
It's fine, I'm 29 which is a little late to read a book about making the most out of your 20s. I found some things are useful while others are dated (the book was published in 2012), or condescending rather than constructive. Turning 30 doesn't mean that suddenly you need to have your career, love life, and psychology in order, you should have it somewhat put together but she really pushes away "having fun and living it up while you're in your 20s" and getting more serious about life but not having any fun. My philosophy is to find a balance, I agree, the 20s suck, even more in this decade, paying loans, paying into your retirement to maximize your benefits, while finding your forever love all while at your lowest point and lowest pay of your life is hard, but find a balance and have some fun while you're at it. All good things come with time.