6 Lessons Before Turning 27

Last year, before turning 26, I wrote six lessons to myself. These things I’ve come to know as true, and they mostly act as reminders to myself when overthinking.

To keep this momentum going and add another layer of self-reminders, here are six more lessons before turning 27.

Disclaimer: these are mostly just reminders for me to look back on. Take them with a grain (or bag) of salt.

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I) If you get a chance, take it (do the thing now)

One of my favourite songs is ‘Til You Can’t by Cody Johnson. It makes me tear up almost every time it's on the radio. It’s a powerful message about the shortness of life and the scarcity of chances a person gets in their lifetime. If you want to do something later, do it now - there is no later.

Some of the bigger decisions in my life were actioned largely because of this song. I know that sounds insane, but it's true. You only have a chance to do something until you can’t, whether it is going fishing with your grandfather, putting off starting a business, or taking a phone call from your mom. All of these things can be done in the present, but tomorrow might not offer the same chance (til you can’t). So, for God's sake, if you get a chance to do something that gives you energy or lights a spark inside of you, take it.?

Do the thing now.

II) A well-written editorial will always sell (write more)

Short-form video advertising is effective, but it comes at a cost. Whether you are selling lemonade or a political agenda, we are all fighting for the same five seconds of attention.?

If you can’t grab attention within the first five seconds, good luck. These short-form videos don’t really reveal authenticity in a product or person, mainly because the creators are so focused on grabbing attention that they forget to go deeper.?

All this to say, a strong written editorial is a lost art form that sells if done well. Sharp writing has outlasted all marketing fads, and it will again. This is your subtle warning to keep writing; it's not going anywhere.

III) Most things figure themselves out over time (trust the process)

I won’t overcomplicate this one. We tend to stress out if we can’t fully control a situation. The reality is that no matter how hard we work or how frustrated we become, things tend to figure themselves out in the end. There may be road bumps or more frustration, but give it time. Work hard, be prepared and trust the process. Luck plays a bigger role than we give credit for.?

IV) Low and slow is the best investment strategy (be patient)

There is no such thing as get-rich-quick. Anyone who claims to have a quick path to richness or has hit it big is either full of shit or very lucky. The stock market reacts to emotion, not logic.?

Once you realize this, stop picking stocks and invest monthly in index funds instead. Then, zoom out over 5, 10, or 20 years, and you’ll see your money compounding. Keep doing this every month and wait 20 years. It’s not sexy, but it works. Patience pays.

This strategy works outside of investments, too. Be patient.

V) Don’t try to be better; try to be different (be different)

My entire life, I’ve made most things into a competition, whether it was job title/salary, quality of work, or how many goals I scored in a hockey game. It can be encouraging to light a fire, especially when jealousy kicks in. But it can also be exhausting and totally miss the mark of what you should try to be: different.

Being different beats trying to outdo everyone else in the long run. When you own your uniqueness, you fuel creativity, establish a strong identity, and attract genuine connections with people who value the real deal. Staying true to yourself carves out your own territory and unlocks opportunities for personal growth and satisfaction. Don’t try to be better than your peers; try to be different.

VI) If you chase two rabbits, you won’t catch either one (focus)

Like trying to catch two rabbits, trying to do too many things at once is a guaranteed method for failure or burnout. Concentrate your energy and focus on a singular objective, not the dozens of shiny objects or buzzwords that get thrown our way each day. Having a singular objective allows you to take on the task with clarity.?

Start with your “why” and distill it until you have a clear, specific goal. Then, work like hell to ensure your focus stays on it until you cross the finish line. Once you catch one rabbit, then you can zone in on the next one.

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It’s impossible to optimize every aspect of your life, but having these principles to turn to when frustrated or lacking direction is important to me. Ultimately, life is too short to try to be perfect all the time, so quit pretending everything has to be perfect all the time.

Enjoy the ride, and stop worrying so much.

Last year’s six lessons before turning 26:

I) Life is like a video game; it gets harder as you level up (challenge = growth)

II) Being nice will get you a lot farther than you think (be nice)

III) You’re never too busy (prioritize)

IV) Optimism always wins (be optimistic)

V) You can’t win if you don’t buy the ticket (take risks)

VI) More money won’t make you happier (be content)