13 Mistakes of My Early 20s: Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

I turned 23 this year. It's crazy how fast time flies! I still feel like a kid in many ways. But over the last few years, I've learned so much about life as I've become more of an adult.

For people who are new to this, I am Ashutosh Tiwari Ashutosh Tiwari, Co-founder & CEO Joboffers . We are on a mission to change the way organizations hire and enable them to make more informed hiring decisions.

I want to share some of the big lessons I've learned so far in my 20s. Maybe they will help other young people who are starting out on their own.

When I started my journey as an entrepreneur in my early 20s, I had a dream but not much experience. Achieving success had its challenges, and I faced quite a few roadblocks. Today, I want to share the top 13 mistakes I made, so you can learn from them as you set out on your own path.

Here are the 13 mistakes I made, and what I learned from each:

1. Not seeking help early: Find experienced mentors to guide you. This can be a tough journey, but having the right mentor can make all the difference. With wise guidance and support, you're able to avoid costly mistakes and take your career to incredible heights.
2. Not balancing work and life: Burnout can hurt your success. It's easy to get consumed by work in your 20s, but burning the candle at both ends leads to burnout. Make sure to set boundaries and keep space for relationships, hobbies, and self-care. A balanced life will make you happier and more successful in the long run.
3. Not taking care of yourself: A healthy body and mind boost productivity. Make self-care a priority, not a luxury. Healthy habits like exercising, eating nutritious foods, meditating, and getting enough rest will help you perform at your best. Invest in yourself.
4. Not networking effectively: Building a professional network can open doors. Networking is about both the quality and quantity of connections. Don't just collect business cards - nurture meaningful relationships.
5. Not having a clear plan: A roadmap is crucial. Decide what you want to achieve in your career and life. Figure out your dreams and purpose. Aim at specific targets. Having ambitions and a roadmap helps you succeed.
6. Not adapting to change: Flexibility is essential in the business world. Don't get rigidly set in your ways. The business world evolves rapidly. Stay flexible and willing to adjust. Adaptability lets you pivot when circumstances require it. Don't cling to old habits. An agile mindset prepares you to shift as needed.
7. Misjudging your audience: Understand your customers well. Make an effort to truly know your audience. Please don't make assumptions about what they want. Listen to feedback and data to grasp your audience's needs.
8. Spending too much without a plan: Budget carefully. Be intentional with your money. Make a budget to track income and expenses wisely. Be careful with unnecessary purchases. Save first, spend later. Monitor where your money goes and always prioritize needs over wants.
9. Ignoring market research: Data helps make good decisions. Use data and insights to make smart business moves. Understand your industry landscape, competitors, and trends. Analytics and surveys help you make informed choices.
10. Not listening to customers: Customer feedback drives improvements. Be open to feedback from others. This is how you improve.
11. Being Too Afraid of Failing: It's okay to fail sometimes; it can teach you valuable lessons. Don't let the fear of failure stop you from taking chances. Failures can provide important lessons.
12. Thinking Early Success Guarantees Long-Term Success: Just because things start well doesn't mean they'll always be that way. Stay focused on improvement otherwise, you will find yourself lost in between.
13. Not Working on Yourself: Learning and improving yourself is essential for long-term success. Make time for self-improvement. Learning new skills leads to greater success. Don't get stagnant. Keep developing new capabilities. Read, take classes, attend seminars. Constantly expand your knowledge. Identify weaknesses and improve them through practice.

From each mistake, I learned valuable lessons that shaped my journey. Remember, these lessons are not just about avoiding mistakes but also about growing and learning.

In closing, remember that mistakes are a natural part of the journey, and they teach us valuable lessons. As you start or continue your entrepreneurial journey, these lessons can be your best tools.

Mistakes are a natural part of the journey, not something to be afraid of. If you're not failing or making mistakes in your 20s, when will you?

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights on my entrepreneurial journey or if you have questions. If you found this newsletter valuable, please share it with your network.

I want to thank Mainak Sarkar Hiro Mizushima Mukul Shah Harsh Pokharna Mallik Prasad Mohit Pandey Mayank Gupta and whole Joboffers team to support me in this incredible journey.

Thank you for reading this newsletter.

Let's connect and learn together as we pursue our goals.