Howie Tan’s Post

20 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 Ten years ago, at 20, I read an article where a 30-year-old shared advice for someone my age. It left a lasting impression. Unable to find it again, I decided to write my own. Here are 20 things I wish I knew at 20. 1. Choose Your Spouse Wisely Your spouse is one of life's most crucial decisions. Relationship can either drain or generate energy. Don't rush 2. Focus on Education Your decisions are based on your knowledge. You notice or miss opportunities proportionally to your education. 3. Become an Expert in Your Field Choose a profession now if you haven't. Strive to excel. Read, gain experience, and network. It will pay off. 4. Build Good Habits Most of the time, we're on autopilot. Consciously build positive habits to guide you toward goals even when not fully aware. 5. Don't Lie to Yourself Face truths you might avoid. Self-reflection leads to happiness because you're not burdened by self-deception. 6. Don't Lie to Others Trust is hard to build, easy to lose. As the poem says: "To speak the truth won't take you long, But tell a lie - it goes on and on, Long and long, So very long. Maybe, out of duty's tie, Endlessly you'll have to lie. " 7. Learn to Say No Saying "no" shows integrity, protects your priorities. It prevents overcommitting and helps you focus on what matters. 8. Avoid Drugs and Cigarettes They harm your health, drain your ability to enjoy life. Don't let others negatively influence you. 9. Eat Healthily Food fuels your body and mind. Poor choices add up over time. The body doesn't give free gifts - only loans. 10. Exercise Regularly Exercise keeps you healthy, improves sleep, boosts learning. Good health now prevents problems later. 11. Sleep Well Sleep solidifies memories, strengthens brain connections. You'll learn faster and make better decisions when rested. 12. Save Money Avoid buying depreciating items. It will give you the freedom of choice that you might need in the future. 13. Avoid Unnecessary Debt If you can't afford it, don't buy it. The world encourages spending; resist temptation. 14. Don't Procrastinate Your brain has a daily dopamine limit. Use it on growth activities like reading, problem-solving. 15. Don't Try to Change People People rarely change unless they want to. Don't waste time hoping. 16. Love Your Parents They're getting older, won't be around forever. Let go of disagreements now; you'll miss them later. 17. Embrace Failure Experience comes from not achieving goals. Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm. Enjoy the journey. 18. Don't Compare Yourself to Others Everyone's path is different. Some achieve early, others later. Run your own race. 19. Friendships Change Over Time As you grow, so do your interests and relationships. Accept that friendships evolve. 20. Be Open and Trusting Trust people until they give you a reason not to. Openness builds strong relationships and happiness. Don't fear vulnerability.

Life becomes easy when there are people around you, people you can seek help and guidance from when you need it. That said, there are times when you have to navigate challenges on your own. You must count on your resilience and your wisdom to handle life’s complexities. It will not be wrong to say that it is an acquired skill that comes only when you invest in yourself. How do you start over? Going by the headline, you might wonder why I would consider starting over. Did I do something wrong? Starting over doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. It allows you to reassess your goals based on your past experiences. You can leverage these experiences and move forward with renewed strategies that ensure you don’t repeat the mistakes you’ve made in the past. You will also be able to handle challenges with a renewed and more powerful perspective. With that positive frame of mind, if you are ready to start a new life, a better life, here are some great ways to do it – 1. Health before everything else Trust us, the more you invest in your health, the brighter your future will be. This is because you will be able to enjoy life without any suffering and you will also be able to focus well on things. Investing in health involves things like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting quality sleep and prioritizing mental well-being among others. 2. Continuous learning Continuous learning is part of one growth mindset which is important, especially in this day and age where everything is constantly evolving. So be open to learning and even unlearning things when needed. In this way, you will be able to increase your knowledge, sharpen yourself and adapt to new challenges. You will also be able to compete in a world where fierce competition prevails in all domains. 3. Set clear goals If you want to change your life for good and create a good future, it is important that you have some clarity about what you want out of your life. To do that, you need to define long-term and short-term goals. This move will give you a road map and will help you stay on track. Setting clear goals also involves reassessing and changing goals based on your vision for the future. 4. Set up a routine Setting up a routine helps develop a disciplined approach and lets you manage your time in a much better way, as we’ve discussed later in this post. 5. Become strong financially When we talk about investing, you should also invest in long-term and short-term financial goals. After all, finances are a crucial part of building a financially secure future. So whether it’s making a budget and sticking to it, paying off debt on time or putting money aside for investment vehicles like stocks, real estate, mutual funds, etc., make financial decisions based on your capabilities. 6. Challenge yourself now and then By challenging yourself to get out of your comfort zone, you can help you build resilience. In this way, you will be able

Lifestyle creep is sneaky. I work with a client — a young professional in their late 20s — who had landed a big promotion. Their income almost doubled, and naturally, so did their spending. New car. Better apartment. Expensive vacation. They were enjoying the fruits of their labor—and deservedly so. But here’s the problem: Every extra dollar they earned was going right back out the door. No savings boost. No investments. Just a more expensive lifestyle. We sat down, ran the numbers, and asked the question that changed everything: “What if your future could have the same upgrade as you just had?” Together, we: - Created a spending framework that allowed for enjoying life without sacrificing future goals. - Redirected a portion of their income into smart investments and savings. Identified areas to trim the excess—without feeling like they were missing out. Fast forward, and they’re not only living well—they’ve built a solid foundation for financial freedom. Here’s the thing about lifestyle creep: it feels good now, but it steals from your future. If you’ve recently leveled up in your career—or feel like your expenses are keeping pace with your income—it’s time to take control. Let’s have a conversation about how to align your spending with your goals, optimize your cash flow, and build the wealth you deserve. Your future self will thank you.

Your choices today shape your life tomorrow.Choose wisely! Mindset Every choice we make today shapes our tomorrow! This is a key idea that underscores the importance of decision-making and its impact on our lives. Let's break it down a bit. First, let's talk about limitations. We all have them, but they shouldn't stop us from reaching our goals. Instead, we should see them as hurdles to jump over. Think of it like evolution. Species adapt to their surroundings and turn their weaknesses into strengths. So, if you're scared of public speaking, don't avoid it. Join a club, take a course, and face that fear head-on. By doing this, you're turning a weakness into a strength and opening up new doors for yourself. Next up, we need to face the hard truths. If we ignore reality or avoid the truth, we're setting ourselves up for failure. Say your business isn't doing well. You need to face that fact and figure out how to fix it. Pretending everything is fine won't get you anywhere. Also, don't worry too much about what others think of you. If you're always hiding your weaknesses and pretending to know it all, you're likely to make bad decisions. It's okay to admit you don't know everything. In fact, asking for help or advice can lead to better decision-making, taking other expertise in to account using them as a tool for success without acceptance is often disastrous and boosting up the structural inertia ,only hindering the growth of individual and organisation as a whole. Let's also talk about first-order and second-order consequences. If you only think about the immediate results of your actions, you might not make the best choices. For example, you might avoid working out because it's tough and uncomfortable. But if you think about the long-term benefits, like better health and fitness, you might decide to hit the gym after all. Lastly, don't play the blame game. If you're always pointing fingers at others for your failures, you won't learn from your mistakes. Instead, own up to your actions and learn from them. In a nutshell, the choices we make have a big impact on our lives. By tackling our limitations, facing reality, not worrying about others' opinions, thinking about long-term consequences, and owning up to our actions, we can make better decisions and improve our lives."

Have you ever been in the midst of making a really big and pivotal decision and feeling paralyzed with what to do? Have you ever been in a position where you have two choices to make - both have pros - both have cons and you just aren’t sure you’re making the right decision? Have you ever wondered if you should just stay somewhere even if something tells you to move but moving feels uncertain? Have you ever wondered if there’s something more for your life but you just feel stuck? Have you ever been mistreated, felt devalued or under-appreciated and know that for your own peace you need a change of scenery but feel unsure if the change will be any better or different? Have you ever had to make a decision to walk away from something you created, something you love doing, something you’ve done a long time and enjoy, or from people you like being around or even love because something about the situation takes more from you than you have energy for anymore? Did you once have dreams but now can’t remember what they were because you’re worn down and tired? Have you ever felt like the emotions and the logic of decision making may feel misaligned? And perhaps that is what is stopping you from change and accepting where you are? If where you are is no longer growing you, bringing you joy, or is diminishing your quality of life and the pursuit of peace and happiness - maybe the decision to change doesn’t have to feel so permanent but will still be better than what you’re actually accepting today. ...and yet something still makes you hesitate. "The biggest factor that stops most people from chasing their dreams and working toward their real goals is fear. Fear of the lack of security, the reduced paycheck and of the unknown future keeps people locked into routines that are not satisfying. That path leads to sadness, depression, poor health, low self esteem and ultimately and early death. Who wants that! Don't let fear be the reason for not achieving your goals. Stop, reassess your real passions, remove the money equation long enough so you can think without worrying about finances, and make plans to move toward your 80/20 lifestyle activities. Maximize what you're good at. Find the activities that produce the most result for you and your business and put your energy where the big rewards are." - Yaro Starak Maybe change can be good. Maybe it won’t be. But you won’t know if you don’t try. Change is hard. It’s not easy. But sometimes you need to make a change for something to change for you. Just knowing if it’s the right thing to do is the hard part. If this post resonates with you - then consider contacting me for an intro call to how powerful coaching can be, especially if the change you are facing is professional and business related. In the meantime - here’s an article I wrote for Forbes about making decisions https://lnkd.in/eW3Ht-X4

I encourage you to read this great article: The article explores the challenges and uncertainties associated with making significant life decisions. It addresses the feelings of being paralyzed and unsure when faced with two choices that both have pros and cons. It also discusses the internal struggle between staying in a familiar but unsatisfying situation or taking a risk and seeking something better. It emphasizes the importance of not letting fear hinder personal growth and pursuing one's dreams. It suggests that change, although difficult, can lead to positive outcomes and a more fulfilling life. Denise R. Russo, ECPC encourages self-reflection, reassessing passions, and focusing on activities that yield the most significant results. Ultimately, the article promotes the idea that making a change is necessary for personal growth and happiness, even though uncertainty and hesitation may arise. #coaching #growth #buildingcoachingculture #leadership #hospitality

I'm 42. If you're still in your 20s, read this: 1. As soon as you hit your 30s, you’ll understand. Your 20s actually suck. If you feel like it sucks right now, guess what? It’s supposed to. It gets better. 2. Learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Wealth doesn't accrue to people solving easy problems. 3. The compounding effect of doing the same thing over and over for a long period of time is a force of nature. Learn how to compound. 4. It is very hard to change the world when you are broke. So don't apologize for wanting wealth. 5. In your 20s: Meet everyone. Say yes to everything. You narrow the field later. 6. Do it all. Because you’ll die eventually, and life will make you slow down. But up until then, do all the things. You are in risk-on mode. 7. The most lucrative things you can do in your 20s: 1) learn how to invest, 2) learn the mindset of wealthy people, and 3) learn how to build companies. 8. Not everyone will want to be your friend but that’s a good thing. 9. Never buy to impress. Being wealthy > looking wealthy… even when that first 5-figure check hits your account. 10. The most important question you can ask yourself often: Does this bring me energy? Can I be obsessed over this thin? 11. Do favors, don’t take them. There’s often a hidden price. 12. Work for a company that rewards outcomes not hours. Winning > running really hard for a really long time. 13. Where you live during your 20s matters. Take some time away from your hometown. Go to where people do what brings you energy. 14. If you feel cynical about the world… I don’t blame you. But always remember the number one superpower for your generation is hope. 15. Learn how to grind out solutions to hard problems with other people. A small team with sleepless nights and shared goals is a powerful thing. 16. Touch grass. A walk outside will be better for your brain than anything you find on a screen. 17. Burnout doesn’t come from working too hard. Burnout comes from working too hard on things that don’t light you up. 18. Learn how to save. But understand that saving isn’t what makes you rich. Owning companies is. 19. If you want to make more money, be more useful to people who have more money. 20. You must learn to be disliked or you will find yourself stuck in a prison of other people's beliefs. 21. Most successful people I've met aren't that smart. They move fast, they take risk, they work a lot. That's it. 22. Being rich is awesome. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you. 23. Do something hard every day. Then watch that “something” evolve as you become stronger and stronger. 24. If you haven’t done it, you just have an opinion. 25. Marrying well is the biggest life hack of all. Marrying poorly is a costly path to misery. Choose wisely. 26. Being married is not actually hard, being yourself is. 27. If you’re not weird, you’re probably boring.

What’s Your Why? Understand there will be challenges along the way when you’re chasing your success You having a strong enough ‘Why’ for doing what you do gives you the drive and reason to beat those challenges Your ‘Why’ is your purpose It's the reason you do what you do It's what motivates you to keep going when things get tough So how do you find your ‘Why’? Start by asking yourself why you want to get a certain goal If you want to get a promotion then be clear why do you want that promotion? Do you want the money? The prestige? The opportunity to make a difference? Once you know your surface-level ‘Why’ keep asking ‘Why?’ until you get to the root of your motivation What is the deeper reason why you want this? For example if you want a promotion because you want more money then why do you want more money? Do you want to buy a new house? Take your family and kids to Disneyland? Save for retirement? Once you get to the root of your motivation you'll have a strong ‘Why’ helping you stay focused and motivated when things get tough And things always get tough so best to be ready Simon Sinek, in his book ‘Start with Why’ talks about the importance of having a strong ‘Why’ for doing what you do He says that people and organisations who are inspired by their ‘Why’ are more likely to succeed so take some time to think about your ‘Why’ What is your purpose and what motivates you? Once you know your ‘Why’ you’ve got a huge head start to you getting what you want Take time and sit quietly and write your thoughts and think about your values What are the things that are most important to you? What do you believe in? Think about your experiences and what you’ve been through in your life that’s shaped who you are? Talk to people who inspire you What is their ‘Why’ and what motivates them? Once you've done your thinking and talking you'll start to get a sense of your own ‘Why’ You probably won’t get a good answer straight away so keep going and you'll eventually find it Your ‘Why’ becomes your personal compass When things around go wrong (and they will) – look back to your ‘Why’ and re-focus on your goals Take some time to find it and then use it to get what you want You’ve got one life - so do it all - quit living like you get a second chance If you’re ready for a change and sick of losing out in your interviews then book 15 minutes with me to review your resume and plan your next career steps #careersuccess #careerchange #interviewsuccess

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁? 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸. 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 1. Fear of Failure:  The fear of not succeeding can be paralyzing. Many people worry about the potential embarrassment, financial loss, or disappointment associated with failure.  3. Lack of Confidence:  Self-doubt and a lack of belief in one's abilities can prevent individuals from pursuing their dreams. 4. Negative Self-Talk:  Constant negative self-talk can undermine a person's motivation and confidence, making it difficult to continue working towards their goals. 5. Mental Health Issues:  Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and stress can severely impact one's ability to pursue their dreams. 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 1. Financial Constraints:  Pursuing dreams often requires a significant investment of money. Many people may not have the necessary financial resources or may be unwilling to risk financial stability. 2. Time Constraints:  Balancing work, family, and personal responsibilities can leave little time for pursuing dreams. 3. Lack of Skills or Knowledge:  Sometimes, people might not have the necessary skills or knowledge to achieve their dreams and may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of acquiring them. 4. Health Issues:  Physical health problems can limit the ability to pursue certain dreams, especially those requiring physical effort or endurance. 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 1. Lack of Support:  Without encouragement or support from family and friends, it can be difficult to stay motivated. 2. Social Pressure:  Societal expectations and norms can discourage individuals from pursuing unconventional dreams. People might feel pressured to follow a more traditional or "safer" path. 3. Comparisons to Others:  Constantly comparing oneself to others can lead to feelings of inadequacy and discouragement, making it easier to give up. 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 1. Unexpected Life Events:  Life can be unpredictable. Events such as the loss of a loved one, a major illness, or an economic downturn can derail plans and force people to prioritize other aspects of life over their dreams. 2. Changes in Priorities:  As people grow and their life circumstances change, their priorities may shift, leading them to abandon previous dreams in favor of new goals. 3. Lack of Progress:  If people don't see progress or tangible results after a prolonged period, they may lose motivation and decide that their efforts are not worth the continued investment. #DreamPersistently #ChaseExcellence #RiseAndThrive #LimitlessAmbition #SuccessJourney #InnovateToElevate #FutureReady #LeadWithPurpose #GrowthMindset #AchieveTogether #InspireAction #CareerCatalyst #ThriveInChange #VisionToVictory #SuccessUnleashed #ElevateYourGame #BoldMoves #BreakBoundaries #PursuePotential

All the greatest advice & realisations on career, love, health or life in its entirety can be boiled down to only thing - Be Long Term. Be All In. This will be etched in a tattoo (if I ever get one) & looking back has been a pillar for all the (limited) good decisions I’ve made. 1/ SURROUND YOURSELF WITH FOREVER PEOPLE. Long-term games. Long-term friends. Long-term partners. They think in decades, build to last, and feel time differently. They’re present yet driven by a vision so far-reaching, some would call it insane. 2/ JUST START AND NEVER STOP. Find what you love and commit to forever. Do your thing. Don’t get distracted. Create, iterate, and compound. The timeline for magic is decades—not days. 3/ COMPOUNDING IS THE ONLY GAME. Wealth, skills, relationships—everything grows exponentially over time. Small, consistent actions today = outsized rewards tomorrow. Patience unlocks everything. 4/ FOCUS ON FOREVER WORK. Take one simple thing you love to extreme lengths. When you do, work stops being work. It becomes a mission—a calling that never ends. 5/ ITERATE ENDLESSLY. Outliers become outliers through a decade of trial, failure, and improvement. Each attempt builds knowledge for the next. Show up, adjust, and keep going. 6/ BET ON YOURSELF. You’re the best investment you’ll ever make. Master timeless skills, build your character, and develop an edge no one can replicate. 7/ LEVERAGE IS YOUR MULTIPLIER. Use tools that scale your impact—people, capital, systems. Build things that grow without proportional effort. Freedom is the ultimate wealth. 8/ OPTIMIZE FOR FREEDOM. Money is meaningless without control over your time, energy, and choices. Build for autonomy, not status. True wealth is waking up free. 9/ DELAY GRATIFICATION. The biggest wins go to those who endure. Stay consistent, stay patient, and play the long game. Success rewards those who wait. 10/ LIVE THE FUNDAMENTALS. Ignore the noise. Focus on what lasts: health, relationships, and meaningful work. Trends fade, but the basics compound forever. 11/ PLAY LONG-TERM GAMES. Long-term thinking creates trust, reputation, and opportunity. Short-term wins can’t compete with decades of consistency and vision. 12/ TIME IS YOUR ADVANTAGE. Think big. Focus small. Repeat forever. Over time, everything compounds. The outliers are just the ones who stayed in the game longer.