From TIMEWELL
This is Hamamoto from TIMEWELL Inc.
Marina Mogilko: Silicon Valley Entrepreneur, Age 35
Marina Mogilko, the popular Silicon Valley entrepreneur, recently turned 35. Reflecting on her life, she says there are many things she wishes she had done differently in her 20s.
This article presents the lessons and regrets that Mogilko has learned, aimed at people in their twenties. These may serve as hints for living a fulfilling life in your 20s — one that your future self will thank you for.
- Work with everything you have
- Eat well
- Live in an exciting city
- Take the first step toward your dreams — now
- Start investing, even with small amounts
- Travel while you are young
- Stop caring too much about what others think
- Be selective about your friendships
- Take care of your mental health early
- Get a full health checkup in your 20s
- Summary
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Work with Everything You Have
Your 20s Are a Time of Failure and Learning
According to Mogilko, your 20s are full of energy and relatively free of serious responsibilities. She says this is the time to work with everything you have, to challenge yourself without fear of failure, and to explore your potential. Even if you fail, you can learn from the experience.
She herself had a dream of becoming a singer, but she regrets not pursuing it because she cared too much about what other people thought. If she had committed to it in earnest from her 20s, she says, she might have become a professional singer by now.
She also points out that although young people in their 20s tend to neglect their health, a healthy diet is a lifelong habit. She herself did not pay enough attention to her diet in her 20s and now has high cholesterol as a result. Experts say it takes only a few days to begin improving dietary habits. Your body is the partner you will live with for the next 80-plus years, and a healthy body produces a productive mind. Mogilko says that building good eating habits in your 20s is the greatest investment you can make in your future self.
A Valuable Experience Before Having Children
One of the things Mogilko slightly regrets is not having lived in New York.
It may not be the ideal city for raising children, but in your 20s you can share housing and use public transportation to enjoy the stimulation of city life to the fullest.
Once you have children, living in New York becomes difficult due to education costs and other expenses. You might be able to live there after raising children, but it would have a different energy than it would in your 20s. Mogilko says that your 20s — before having children — is your chance to live in the city you have always dreamed of.
Action Is Everything
Mogilko says she had a habit of putting off pursuing her dreams with the excuse that she "wasn't ready yet." But she realized that what truly matters is taking action.
She started a business at 21 without thinking about the risks. Looking back, she says there is no version of herself today if she had not taken action. The older you get, the harder it becomes to take risks.
Mogilko encourages people in their 20s to boldly take the first step toward their dreams. You do not need to wait for experience or someone's blessing. All you need is to start with passion, she says.
Building Wealth Starting with $20
In her 20s, Mogilko says she used to spend the money she earned immediately on luxury brands. But now she has come to believe that true luxury is investing $20 and being able to retire at 35. She admits she has not managed that herself, but says that even a little passive income provides peace of mind.
Starting to invest with $20 lets you learn about apps, stocks, the S&P 500, and more. The key is building the habit of putting extra money into investments first when it becomes available.
Today, Mogilko says she chooses to buy shares in companies rather than luxury goods.
She recommends developing the habit of investing 10–20% of your income in your 20s.
At 21, Mogilko traveled through Europe as cheaply and extensively as possible on a budget tour. She traveled by bus and low-cost carriers, sleeping in airports and hostels. She says she would never do it the same way again now, but the memories of those travels still warm her heart.
She also remembers a bus tour through Europe with her mother — her first time visiting Paris and Sweden — as one of her cherished travel memories. She says that while you are young, accumulating valuable travel experiences — even on a tight budget — is important.
Living Your Own Life
In her 20s, Mogilko says she cared too much about what others thought. But now she has realized that people do not think about you nearly as much as you think they do. In retrospect, she was actually wasting her own energy by being swayed by the opinions of others. She says it is important not to be swept away by pressure from those around you, and to focus on what you yourself want. You do not have to go to parties just because everyone else does.
For Mogilko, pleasure is working with passion. It is fine if that is different from everyone else.
Spend Time with People Who Share Your Values
In her 20s, Mogilko says she tried to get along with everyone. But not everyone will work out. She says spending time with people whose goals and values do not align with yours is a waste of time. Time is your most precious resource. Mogilko says you should focus on building relationships with people who add value to your life.
Mental Health Is What Matters Most
Among young people, the importance of mental health tends to be overlooked. Mogilko did not start therapy until she was 30. She says that if she had started earlier, she would have been able to resolve the issues she was carrying much sooner. She recommends seeing a professional when you are struggling, rather than trying to handle it alone. You may find that many other people are dealing with similar issues.
Prepare for the Future Now
When Mogilko was 25, she began to want children, but she says it actually took four years before she was able to have them. Health issues were discovered, and she needed two surgeries.
She says it is important to check whether there are any health problems before having children. If there are, you can address them early. Mogilko recommends getting a full health checkup in your 20s to prepare for the future.
Your 20s Are a Time to Grow, Explore, and Adventure
Your 20s are a time to grow, explore, and adventure. Taking on new challenges, learning from failure, and accumulating experience connects you to your own potential.
It is also important to pay attention to your body and mind, and to address any problems early.
We hope you will make the most of your 20s — a time so full of possibility — and make choices that your future self will be grateful for.
Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvwI0TTVcwo
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