I get it – you recently graduated college and still love crushing Thursday nights. Hell, given the choice, you would be out partying every night except Monday.
There’s only one slight problem, one small altercation holding you back.
No, it’s not your mother or wife…it’s something bigger than that. Its real life and its speeding at you like a freight train.
As young men in our mid-twenties we feel invincible. We’re fresh out of college making 35k per year and dominating success. You’re on top of the world, right?
Well, sorta. Around 26-27 all of your friends start getting married. Kids start springing into the picture and parties slow to the weekend. Things like mortgages, loans, and marriage become priority. Not like that’s a bad thing, it just takes adjustment.
At age 27, I have learned a few things and witnessed this cycle. It’s vicious man. Here is a quick guide to balancing real life and partying:
Curfew is Midnight
On a school night (weekday which entails workday) – curfew is ALWAYS midnight. I don’t care if you’re at the baddest Tuesday night party of your life or you’re up watching funny videos all night. Work and accomplishment come first. You don’t have to be home by midnight, but you have to leave the bar by midnight. This is a cardinal rule.
You’re NOT Wealthy
Don’t spend like you have money. Making 35k does not make anyone rich. That supports a casual life style.
Sure, you can afford to drink Budweiser vs Natural Light. That’s amazing – do it frequently. But save as much as you can now. Don’t rack up credit card bills and stay within limits. Millions of young college graduates make this mistake, don’t be a statistic.
Talk to Your Father
If you’ve never had a real relationship with your father, now is the time to start. The old man actually becomes wiser the older you get. Chances are he has been in your shoes. We never truthfully know what our parents have experienced. They aren’t going to tell us everything, but it’s a possibility they’ve been there. Listen to your father, he’s the one man you can trust in life.
Find a Good Woman
The Millionaire Next Door written by Thomas Stanley statistically proves that most successful men are married. When you’re young, chasing the next piece and spreading your seed makes every bit of sense. You only live once, right?
Women keep us grounded. We need them to make smart decisions and become successful. Trust me, Donald Trump didn’t spend countless nights chasing random women in bars. He married a strong woman and goes home every night to calculate his next move. You want to be a success story, not a charity case.
Don’t Neglect Your Health
You’re young, you’re healthy. That’s not a guarantee. Hit the gym weekly and work out. You have three things in life: Love, Wealth, and Health. If you’re sick then nothing else matters. Take care of yourself, eat right, and work out. Sooner or later you’re life will depend on it.
Phil loves epic shower beers.
Tags: graduating college, how to be a man, men, post graduation, tips for men