As a young man you have the whole world and an entire lifetime in front of you. Now is the time to take advantage. Of all the regrets you may have later in life, wasted time will be the most heartbreaking of them all. Do not follow the path that has been laid out for you, do not do as everyone else you know. Unless you are average. During your schooling you have been led to believe that you must follow this order: go to college, get a job to pay back your student loans, get married, consume as much as possible, save for retirement at which point you can live life, and then die having accomplished nothing other than being a good boy and doing what you were told. Everything you have been sold in high school is a complete lie. If you find this unbelievable just ask anyone in their late twenties to mid-thirties who followed this path and see how happy they truly are. They may lie with their words but their soulless eyes cannot tell a lie.
Looking back on how I used to live my life I see a lot of wasted time that could have been used to build something magnificent. I didn’t wake up until after my mid-twenties. If I could go back and slap some sense into my 15 year old self this is what I would advise:
1) Lift Weights - I definitely would have convinced my teenaged self to start hitting the weights with a fury. I look back on all those wasted years and think of how I could be so much stronger if I had started hitting the weights at around 14 or 15 years old. Lifting gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment that a skinny person or a fat person will never know or understand. As a teen you are in the primetime for developing some serious strength and a great physique. You have all that natural testosterone pulsing through your bodies. The ladies melt for a guy with a great physique too.
2) Play a sport, especially wrestling - I used to laugh at all the “dumb preppy jocks” in my school. What I didn’t know is how competitive sports like wrestling developed strength, courage, discipline, and pride - things that I very sorely lacked until much later and things that are lacking in all the youngsters I see who don’t compete, spending all their time on the computer or other useless time-wasters.
3) Don’t bother going to college - This may be the hardest pill to swallow but college is a colossal waste of time and money. I could have saved myself endless boredom had I chosen a different path. As it was, I didn’t even know other paths existed. I learned absolutely nothing useful in college and what I did learn was downright detrimental and that is because nothing is actually taught in college. You don’t go there to learn, you go there to further your indoctrination and emasculate you even more. Anyone and everyone go to college now and because of this colleges and universities are filled with monumentally stupid people who have no earthly business at an institute of higher learning. As you will learn later a college degree means absolutely nothing when you go your own way and do not follow the path that everyone else will follow. A college degree does not guarantee a “good” job. A “good” job does not guarantee safety. The only safety guaranteed is what you do for yourself. There is no safety relying on other people.
If you must go to college you should go later in life. I hear people say “Oh, I’ll travel in a few years when I have time. Oh, I’ll start my business in a few years when I have time”. If you must go to college, go after a few years of real education in the real world. If you go, you had better get a technical degree (engineering etc..), something you can’t learn on your own. Arts, psychology or anything ending in “studies” degrees are completely useless in the job market. Not that you should want to get a job.
FYI - You do not have to go to college to get drunk, party and hook up. That can be done anywhere at any time.
4) Travel often - I would have told myself to skip college and instead immediately start traveling abroad, backpacking Asia, or Europe, or South America. Get a part time job while in High School and save your money. When you graduate high school you should head abroad for an eye-opening experience you will never forget or regret. I would have learned more in a year of traveling than I learned in 7 years of college (or 4, or however long it was). Hell, I lived in Texas for 10 years and I never even went to Mexico. I would have slapped that little bastard (me) in the mouth and told him to travel often and everywhere.
5) Turn off the TV - You can’t pick a bigger waste of time than TV watching. Same for video games and other mindless internet usage.
6) Don’t work full time - I used to manage a Blockbuster video while going to school full time. What a waste of a young man’s life. I would have convinced myself to not work at all and work instead on an entrepreneurial venture. I always had the desire but I never had the courage to just dive right in until several years later. You should be of the mindset of never having a real job or wanting a real job. The only way you will ever get rich is to build a business yourself. The only way you will have security is to build a business yourself. The only way you will have freedom is to build a business yourself. Do you really want to go 50 years asking permission from a lowly middle management executive for a one week vacation per year? The only job you should ever have is one that provides you only with the bare necessities and leaves you hungry for more, one that gives you time to pursue other ventures. When you have a full time job that pays you enough to buy all the stupid worthless shit you see on TV you will get lazy and you will NEVER DO ANYTHING WORTHWHILE UNTIL YOU QUIT. Don’t fall into that trap. Live as cheaply as you possibly can.
7) Do not go into debt for any reason - Do not acquire school loans, do not use credit cards, do not get auto loans. That’s how they entrap young people into debt slavery. “Oh, I can’t go travel I’m in school debt up to my eyeballs“. You go into debt for your “education” and then you pay for it the rest of your life. This is a waste of your prime years. If you can’t pay cash for it, don’t buy it.
8) Don’t listen to anybody - Advice given to you will be, without question, terrible. It will be the same thing over and over “Go to school, get a good job. You can do all that other stuff later.” You can respond “Oh, really? Is that what you did? Went to school, got a job and then fulfilled your dreams later?” and see the look of regret in their eyes. People who fell for the joke want you to fall for the same joke, it’s a part of human nature for people not to want others to succeed where they failed. Conventional advice is to be ignored, always. You are better off doing the opposite.
As a young man you think you have all the time in the world. You don’t. You have only a brief time on this Earth. Use that to your advantage. Never for one second think “I can do all that fun stuff later” because you can’t and you won’t. Now is the time. You are in your prime and if you don’t take advantage you will waste away like all the people you see who are dead inside. The same people who are waiting for retirement, pretending they are going to go and do the things you will do right now.
Go forth young man and live your life. Real education is not in a classroom. It’s in the world around you.
Nice article! Given the nature of this article and the others on your site, I am curious, what do you do? Apparently, you eat steak and eggs, have a computer, and travel often…how do you finance this lifestyle?
Also, I’d love to see what a typical “work” day is like in your life, including any foods and beverages you consume, any exercise you do, etc.
He lives off his online businesses/websites.
@Victor: Great post, I agree completely. Thats why I dropped out of highschool as 18 year old. Never looking back!!!
Good stuff. I am also curious too. This is my first post here but I’ve been reading some time..i am currently looking for ways to travel/live abroad & work for my self also.
I second what Pete said. Clearly, you are self-employed. Would love to know what you do.
Are you currently self-employed? Perhaps you teach ESL in China, as you suggested this as one way to change one’s circumstances.
I believe that every human should strive to have a “career” based around their hobby, that is, turn their hobby into profit, even if it doesn’t generate a lot of profit. The key should be to earn enough to support the kind of lifestyle a person wants.
From reading your articles, i think of you as a guy with the mindset of Tyler Durden of Fight Club, which is commendable. I, too, say fuck most material goods and the shitty job most people work to pay for such things. The tradeoff isn’t worth it. I would much rather travel than have a house filled with fancy toys and furnishings and clothing.
LOL. These guys are asking you questions yet you don’t answer them :)
Great list. I especially like turn off your tv and don’t go into debt. Both awesome pieces of advice. The amount of time in my younger adult days that I wasted on brain numbing television and toxic debt shock me. Thankfully I pulled up from that dive but so many men get sucked into that regardless of age.
The college discussion is an interesting one. The prices are absolutely insane no doubt. There are still creative ways to fund it and provided people are going to study something that they truly enjoy and have a passion for I’m all for it. However if it’s just to check the social norm box of “I Have A Degree” then it’s a waste of time. In many cases the best education in the world can be found in the bookstore digital or traditional, Podcasts, and of course surrounding yourself with quality people who are doing great things that can teach you.
i think rugby is better than wrestling.but anywhere great articles.even i feel i just waste my time
in university.A lot of bullshit than learning the right skill to live.true learning came from real life
Great Article Vic!
Starting today with 30 days of Discipline, thanks for your great advice from Germany!
How I wish I read this, assimilated this and acted on this years before!
But so what! Its time to rock the present, rock the future all for Good :)
I agree with most of your article, except the parts about not going to college, and not listening to anybody. No offense, but that’s not very bright at all. In these modern days, a college education IS imperative. And advice from one’s elders is great because they’ve had experiences we have not yet encountered. If they genuinely care about you, they’ll want to steer you on the right path, not deter you. People who want you to experience pitfalls are selfish bastards, so you need to find the right people to take advice from (which is hard, I know).
“It’s a part of human nature for people not to want others to succeed where they failed. Conventional advice is to be ignored, always.” This goes for parents, teachers and the rest. They have no idea what your obsession is so their advice is useless. If this does not dissuade you then there is no hope for you.
what did you go to college for?
Honestly, 4-year universities are a waste of time, but if you want to pursue a trade, then community colleges or trade schools are much a better idea.
Hey Victor, been reading your blog for a while now and I appreciate all the advice you’ve given. I’m currently at a crossroad and I need some input on this one. I have a choice between taking a government job under the President of our country, or taking an apprenticeship under my girl’s dad, who’s a real successful businessman. Problem is, I’ll probably be stuck with the girl if I take his offer. But that’s the only con. What do you think is the better choice if I’m looking to retire by 35?
How do you think you can retire at 35 working a govt job? Say you work with your girl’s Dad, you spend a year or whatever and do great work, he’s going to fire you if you break up with his little angel? Yeah right. That doesn’t even seem like a real choice to me. Work as an apprentice to a successful businessman, or work for the govt. Hmmm…what to do?
Hey victor i would really appreciate your opinion on going to college. I’m getting a lot of peer pressure from my parents to go. Even though I’m a good student, going deep into debt for a piece of paper seems stupid to me. I intend on being an entreprenuer and living a minimalist lifestyle, but my parents said that if I don’t go to college they’d kick me out. I’m a junior in high school and would like to hear your opinion on my situation. Thanks
Steve - A little late but hopefully you can still take some advice from someone who’s earned their MBA. Here’s the main criteria you need to look at:
1) What do you want to do? Does it legitimately require a college degree or can you learn on your own? If you’re trying to get into a field that required chemistry or engineering, then yes you will need a degree. If you’re wanting to be an entrepeneur, you need to look at what business(es) you want to start and determine if you need further education.
2) Are your parents paying for college? If not, then it’s not their choice to make and I wouldn’t let them force you to go up to your nutsack in debt. Work a part time job, save as much money as you can before your rents kick you out, and begin working on your startup business with reckless abandon.
3) Coming from someone with an MBA, formal college education is near worthless. Learned a few principles/concepts here and there, but nothing worth the thousands of bucks you’ll be shelling out. I suggest you take practical workshops that you’ll get more benefit out of. You mentioned the minimalist lifestyle, I would suggest you sign up for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, so you can learn the in’s and out’s of budgeting, paying off debt, saving for retirement, etc. WAAAAY more valuable and affects your day to day life.
Best of luck to you kid. Wish I had the kind of advice Vic dishes out when I was your age.
Hey Victor thanks for the advice. Right now i’m a 15 year old at a 4000 kid school and I gotta say that a lot of your posts have been great advice and I really agree with a lot of what you’re saying. This year I’m going to be a sophomore and am trying to get on the varsity basketball team. Along with that within the five years after I graduate from high school I plan on going to West Point and it’s really hard to keep a high GPA along with basketball. I hope to purchase the 30 days of discipline because I think it will help with all the things I got going on. I plan to keep reading your articles.
This is the greatest post I’ve read in my entire life.
I’m really liking the site Victor,
could you give me a little more insight on how I might backpack the world? I’ll be going to college next year but I want to travel first. My parents are talking about some exchange program but I say fuck that. I have about 5k saved up and could make another 2k over the summer so money isn’t a big issue. My dilemma is how would I spend 10 months alone going across Europe, knowing only English, and where do I sleep and lift? I want to come back to the states a changed man, say “fuck you parents” and make my fortune. I just have trouble with adding the details of the Eurotrip because it’s just so, well foreign.
Great post Mr. Pride.
Question.
I’m about to graduate highschool where I have stupid ass classes where I just sit in (I get A’s for doing nothing and sometimes I skip and just workout in the gym) and I’m gonna go graduate but I know how this all works out. Parents want me to go to college, do what they do etc.
I’d like to thank you for opening my mind on the other possibilities other than college and debt slavery.
Do you advise I build website and sell an ebook with the knowledge of what I know (I do track / MMA - muaythai/wrestling etc since a child / Music / Etc) or pursuit my passion in sports? I’m pretty stuck on what to do but I need your guidance man. I was always pretty active in sports though. I want to make an income and I’m pretty damn sure I don’t wanna work at mcdonalds or burger king where I get no benefits and become a slave to idiots. I have an entire summer coming up after high school where I have no plans but I’m determined to make one.
I want opportunities and you’ve helped me a whole lot Vic on expanding my horizons on life after high school. Smart man.
Thanks!
Hi - Thanks for this insight. I just sent this article to my sons, 24,22, and 17.with additional suggestions. (see below) I have 6 boys but the other three are still playing Legos. I intend to save it for a few years. I’m grateful I’m not the only one with this mindset. Mothers need some backup to establish our credibility.
Dear Sons,
Take the time to read this article (with its interesting parallels to my own advice, I might add), My contribution to the list would be:
Find and know God- foster a life- long closeness with him. Cling for dear life. St Augustine said, ” Love God with all your heart. Then do what you want.” All of your paths will lead to peace if you start from the right place
PrayPrayPrayPrayPrayPrayPrayPrayPrayPrayPrayPray
Know who you are
Know what your gifts are
Every minute of every day, ask yourself, ” How can I use my gifts to serve others? What needs to be done?
ReadReadReadReadReadReadReadReadReadReadRead
Keep a journal
Be kind to others and to yourself. Doesn’t cost you a thing.
Look up a popular country song by Lee Brice and add his stuff to this list. It’s too sappy to actually write out the lyrics but they’re all true
Ok. I’ll shut up now. I may add inspired thoughts as they occur to me, so be prepared to be assailed further
Love mom
I am from south eastern Nigeria, I have red some of ur articles and it is a source of inspiration and motivation
in fact ,its fabulous indeed! n will definitely recommend the site”BOLD AND DETERMINED” to friends
It is true that some entrepreneur doesn’t need a college degree but that does not mean that the +ve impact of acquiring higher education be discarded, what u said may apply to you(westerners) because I knew over there they believe in what you can offer rather than in ur col degree but not here in Africa, Nigeria to be precise. because here in Nigeria certificate is highly emphasized and is always imperative to ur success. for no matter the knowledge n skill u may have to offer, they will still tag u as an artisan and pay u less as unskilled or semiskilled labour.
#u re a blessing to our generation
l am in love with ur site, u keep me motivated n inspired.
Great post Victor! I went to 1 year of technical college and realized what a waste of time it was so I left after that year. Since then I’ve been working full-time while building my website and blog and messing around with MLM. I’m glad I found your post it has changed my mind on a lot of things. Being 20 I am in my prime and I look forward to this life because of what I know now.