3 Things I Learned This Week

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Big news! I moved into college this week :)

It’s been both exciting and exhausting getting used to a new environment, meeting so many people, and having the freedom to do pretty much whatever you want.

I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss my bed. And I miss the routine I had at home.

Anywho, 3 things I learned this past week:

Takeaway 1: Being an adult means taking responsibility

One of the things I loved about living at home was my structured routine:

• Go to bed around 10

• Wake up around 5

• Work for 2-4 hours

• Lunch

• Workout with my friend

• Work a bit more

• Then relax for the rest of the day

Since getting here (to the University of Illinois), my routine completely fell apart. It’s only day 5, and I’m sure I’ll get back into my flow, but my first reaction was to place the blame outward.

These orientations are a waste of time! Why does the gym open so late and close so early? My desk is falling apart and my chair is uncomfortable!

But things that may not be your fault, can still be your responsibility. And part of growing up means accepting responsibility for things that impact your life.

It’s on ME to re-establish my routine. It’s on ME to make sure I’m eating enough healthy foods. It’s on ME to block off time to get my work done.

Kids make excuses. Adults take responsibility.

Takeaway 2: Work on things that compound

A few days ago, I made $500 with one tweet. Yes, you read that right… ONE tweet. I helped one of my clients land several coaching clients with a single tweet, and as a reward, I earned $500. Pretty cool!

The coolest part isn’t the money, it’s realizing the leverage creating content on the internet gives me. It’s an asymmetric opportunity: limited downside, infinite upside.

Since I’ve been busy acclimating to the college environment, I’ve been focused on working on things that continue working for me even when I’m not working.

For example: Creating a checklist of things to do before publishing a newsletter so I don’t have to think about what to do each time.

Create once, leverage twice.

Takeaway 3: Don’t let optimal get in the way of beneficial

Yesterday, I was debating whether I should to go the gym or not. It was 5pm and the gym closed at 6pm. I was tired. Sore. Low energy from all the social interactions. And on top of that, the gym is always packed full of people.

But a quote kept popping up in my head: “Anything above zero compounds.”

So I ended up going and getting a quick arm workout in—and afterward, I felt more energized. I felt better about myself too.

What I’m realizing is that the “bad” days matter more than the good days. Especially in a new environment where the conditions may not be ideal…. that’s when showing up matters the most.

A 20-minute workout is better than no workout. Reading 10 pages is better than not reading at all. Introducing yourself to 1 new person is better than staying in your comfort zone.

Don’t let the optimal get in the way of the beneficial.

College has exposed me to a ton of new experiences and perspectives. Excited to continue to document and share what I learn!

Talk soon,

Jay “College Kid” Yang

Ps. I get $3.20 every time someone clicks the link below… so help ya boy out :)

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Jay’s Finds

Some of the best content I found on the internet this week…

• 57 years apart - a boy and a man talk about life

• 10 life lessons I wish I knew at 21

• This man took a company from $3M to $84M per year in revenue in six years

Top Tweets of The Week

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