---
title: 'I''m 57. If You''re in Your 20s, Please Watch This.'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=FylHa4_neOA'
video_id: 'FylHa4_neOA'
date: 2026-07-23
duration_sec: 1364
channel: 'Mark Tilbury'
---

# I'm 57. If You're in Your 20s, Please Watch This.

> Source: [I'm 57. If You're in Your 20s, Please Watch This.](https://youtube.com/watch?v=FylHa4_neOA)

## Summary

A 57-year-old shares 50 pieces of life advice for people in their 20s, covering focus, networking, failure, and financial wisdom. The video emphasizes becoming a producer over a consumer, building a strong network, and embracing change.

### Key Points

- **Focus is key** [00:13] — You'll never reach your full potential if you can't focus for long periods. With many distractions, being able to focus deeply puts you ahead.
- **Be a producer, not a consumer** [00:38] — Especially if you learn a lot, produce more than you consume.
- **Be nice on the way up** [00:51] — Be kind to people even if you're unsure about their plans; they'll remember who supported them.
- **Watch what most people do and do the opposite** [01:21] — If you do what everyone else does, you'll get the same results. To be a millionaire, take a different path.
- **Network beats money** [02:00] — A great network is more valuable than money in the bank.
- **Never talk behind someone's back** [02:12] — Address issues directly or not at all; talking behind backs makes you seem untrustworthy.
- **Give yourself permission to fail** [02:25] — Most success comes from failures. If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough.
- **Biggest risk is not taking action** [03:05] — Jeff Bezos said the biggest risk is dragging your feet on reversible decisions.
- **Multitasking is a myth** [03:17] — Focus on one thing deeply without distractions.
- **Don't be the best, be the only** [03:34] — Combine seemingly unrelated skills to stand out, like Steve Jobs mixing calligraphy with technology.
- **If you can't change it, don't complain** [04:01] — No one cares about your problems; focus on solutions.
- **Embrace technology and e-commerce** [04:46] — Building a business has never been easier; e-commerce offers geographical freedom.
- **Assume you can learn something from everyone** [05:41] — Stay humble and open to learning; you don't know everything.
- **Never disrespect your elders** [06:25] — Older people have experience; listen and learn, then make your own decisions.
- **Don't be afraid of change, embrace it** [06:52] — When technology rolls over you, adapt or be crushed.
- **Live in the moment, not on your phone** [07:21] — Don't capture everything for social media; enjoy experiences fully.
- **Pay the bill on a date** [07:50] — A small gesture that shows you care, unless you're always paying and getting nothing back.
- **It's okay to admit when you need more time** [08:02] — Fake it 'til you make it isn't always smart; turn down opportunities if you're not ready.
- **Present yourself intentionally** [08:17] — How you dress, speak, and carry yourself shapes how others perceive you.
- **Think about death** [08:45] — Contemplating mortality helps you appreciate time with loved ones.
- **Never take rejection personally** [09:12] — See things from the other person's perspective; rejection is part of growth.
- **Don't be embarrassed to nap** [09:28] — Power naps boost productivity; many successful people swear by them.
- **Learn from those who disagree with you** [09:42] — Avoid echo chambers; you can learn from everyone.
- **Punctuality is respect** [09:56] — Early is on time, on time is late, late is unforgivable.
- **Be motivated by more than money** [10:09] — Strong values mean no one can buy you; prioritize family and principles.
- **Be fueled by vision, not fear** [10:35] — Fear limits your potential; vision drives you forward.
- **Stand up to bullies** [10:51] — Don't let anyone bully you; standing up once is often enough.
- **Use your unfair advantages** [11:20] — Recognize what sets you apart—skills, connections, or life situation—and leverage them.
- **Don't waste money on flashy things in your 20s** [11:47] — Investing and building wealth is more impressive than buying designer gear.
- **Your reputation is your legacy** [12:00] — Reputation outlives you; guard it carefully.
- **Don't compare yourself to friends** [12:15] — Focus on your own improvement; you'll be shocked at your progress over time.
- **Don't let a bad day turn into a bad week** [12:30] — Don't let one negative event spiral into a week of negativity.
- **Always pay off your credit card** [12:58] — Pay in full each month to avoid high interest.
- **Any job is better than no job** [13:15] — Work builds skills, self-esteem, and connections; even a low-level job is valuable.
- **Never invest without doing your own research** [13:41] — Blindly following others often leads to loss; FOMO is a red flag.
- **Learn to tell a good story** [13:56] — Storytelling grabs attention and helps you connect with people.
- **Don't live your life for others** [14:23] — Don't let others' expectations dictate your path; build your dream life.
- **Financial rules: 50/20/30 and invest** [14:38] — 50% needs, 20% savings, 30% debt; then 25% invest, 5% risky bets.
- **It's okay not to have everything figured out** [15:25] — Most people are navigating life as best they can; you'll never know everything.
- **Retirement feels far but plan for it** [15:55] — Compound interest is powerful; let money grow passively for retirement.
- **The quality of your questions shapes your future** [16:10] — Thoughtful questions get better answers; avoid lazy messages like 'can I ask a question?'
- **Life is a journey, not a destination** [17:05] — Enjoy the process; the destination is brief, but the journey is where growth happens.
- **If you're not spending money, you're spending time** [17:43] — Time is money; don't waste it because you think you have plenty.
- **Don't wait for the perfect moment, just start** [18:12] — Small steps lead to progress; overthinking prevents action.
- **Work hard now for an easier life later** [18:54] — Sacrifice in your 20s and 30s leads to security and comfort in retirement.
- **Tackle tough tasks in the morning** [19:24] — Do the hardest tasks first thing; save easier ones for the afternoon.
- **University name doesn't matter** [20:17] — Skills and experience matter more than the institution you attended.
- **Look after your back** [20:44] — Bad back from poor posture can severely impact productivity; there's no quick fix.
- **Don't stress about being different** [21:12] — Embrace your uniqueness; it can be a strength, like dyslexia leading to creative problem-solving.
- **Choose your partner wisely** [21:56] — A supportive partner is crucial; don't rush into marriage based on early infatuation.

### Conclusion

The speaker's 50 pieces of advice emphasize focus, networking, embracing failure, and financial discipline. The overarching message is to live intentionally, work hard early, and cherish relationships.

## Transcript

And if I could go back to talk to my 20-year-old self here are the 50 things I would say. You'll never reach your full potential
if you can't focus for long periods of time. with so many distractions fighting for your attention.
you'll be miles ahead of everyone else, so why not use this video as a test for yourself? and actually listen to everything I say on a deep level,
Number two, become more of a producer than a consumer. especially if you learn a lot. than you're taking,
Number three, be nice to people on the come up There have been countless times only to see them achieve credible success later on.
even if you're unsure about their plans, they'll likely remember those who were in their corner, Number four, watch what most people are doing
It took me a few years to find the courage I was comfortable with the routine of receiving a paycheck However, when I built a staircase
I realized there was another path available. I mean, I wouldn't be a millionaire now This is a pretty simple idea
then you're gonna get the same results. As the saying goes, Number five, who you know
A great network beats money in the bank every time. Number six, never talk behind someone's back.
you should address it with them directly or not at all. makes you seem cool, to those who are listening,
Number seven, give yourself permission Most of my success has come from my failures. I mean, I enjoy skiing with my son,
we competed to see who could fall the least. however he improved tremendously, This just proves that failure leads to improvement
then you're probably not trying hard enough. I actually picked this one up from Jeff Bezos, as he said,
"your biggest risk is dragging your feet However, when decisions are irreversible, as the biggest risk here is making the wrong decision,
before taking action. The truth is there is no such thing as multitasking, to focus on one thing deeply without distractions.
Number 10, don't be the best, You can do this by learning seemingly unrelated skills for mixing his love
and creating Apple as we know it today. This is one of my golden pieces of advice, I'm gonna drop another one of these.
If you can't change it, I used to be a bit of a complainer, no one cares about your problems,
Even if your whole world is crumbling, I'm not saying you can't express your feelings, and not many people care about fixing yours.
As I've grown old and gray, like color TVs, the iPhone and artificial intelligence. The crazy thing is a lot of my generation aren't like me
But for you tech savvy youngsters, working smart and building a business has never been easier. One of the hottest businesses at the moment is e-Commerce
and provides geographical freedom, or money to pay somebody else to do it for you. you can get a fully custom Shopify store
Here's one I made earlier. all I had to do was select the niche of my store, and then let AI take care of the rest.
like policies and returns. but it's a great starting point I'll leave a link in the description below
and having a free website built for you. to a special Shopify trial for $1 Number 13, assume you can learn something
that in my 20s I was a little bit arrogant. I now realize how much more I still had to learn. I'll look back at what I currently know
I'm still learning new things every day. and be open to learning new things, Number 14, never disrespect your elders.
but us older people have been through a lot. if you take the time to listen. you don't have to follow my advice.
and then make your own decisions. Number 15, don't be afraid of change, embrace it. and the goal was to expand all over the world.
that all changed. and my shops were suffering. and started the e-Commerce side of my business,
There's a famous quote that sums this up quite well, Once a new technology rolls over you, Number 16, live in the moment, not on your phone.
You don't need to capture everything for social media. you might never experience again. I went through without knowing it,
that weekly bowling night or a yearly tradition. and you probably won't even see it coming. This one's for the guys.
Paying the bill is just a small gesture that shows you care, unless you're always doing it and getting nothing back.
It's okay to admit when you need more time Sure, people love to say fake it 'til you make it, it's smarter to turn it down
Number 19, present yourself about how you want to come across to others This includes how you dress, how you speak,
and even how you carry yourself. from the ground up. for your loved ones dying.
but you do need to think about it. it can send shock waves throughout our lives. Thinking this way
you spend with your loved ones, Number 21, never take rejection personally. try to see things from their point of view.
just holds you back from growing and getting better. Number 22, don't be embarrassed to take a nap now and again. I thought naps were for kids and old people.
that swear by having short power naps throughout the day. as it can actually help you be more productive Number 23, learn from those who disagree with you.
Too many people are trapped in a bubble on social media, Remember, you can learn something from everyone, it doesn't mean you shouldn't listen to their opinions.
Punctuality is a sign of respect for other people's time, Early is on time, on time is late and late is unforgivable.
Number 25, be motivated by something greater than money. Having strong values means that no one can buy you, These values are principles you refuse to compromise
One of mine is prioritizing my family. then I won't do it under any circumstances. So figure out what you're passionate about and make a stand.
Number 26, be fueled by vision, not fear. and can never see far enough ahead Number 27, stand up to bullies.
before I finally quit and started my own business. whether it's a man or a woman, bully you. that's all it takes.
and that's the last thing you need Number 28, use your unfair advantages. that can give them an edge,
An unfair advantage is something that sets you apart, a connection or your life situation. It's about recognizing what you're naturally good at
and using those to your advantage to get ahead. It's a waste in your 20s. I've seen so many young people come into money quickly,
and designer gear. but what's far more impressive That's what true legends do.
It's one of the few things that lives on after you die. of attending many funerals in my time, In other words, their reputation,
Number 31, don't compare yourself to your friends. As long as you're improving on what you've done before, then you'll look back and be shocked at how far you've come.
and not getting distracted by what everyone else is doing. Number 32, don't let a bad day turn into a bad week. for someone to ruin your day.
that can spiral into a whole week of negativity. so you don't miss out on all the good opportunities Number 33, always pay off your credit card.
If you don't pay off your credit card in full each month, Be smart about it. Number 34, any job is better than no job.
so if the only position available It's not just about the pay. and boosting your self-esteem
Who knows, you might make some mates. I met during my car washing days 47 years ago. without doing your own research.
and usually it's because they didn't take the time even if you think you might miss out on something big. that's often a red flag.
can get you anything you want. Whether you're just hanging out with friends a great story grabs attention,
and helps you connect with people in a more real way. and leave an impression, Number 37, don't live your life for others.
or make you shy away from doing what you truly want. you're not passionate about, You don't wanna end up in a job you despise
Focus on building and living your dream life instead. Firstly, use 50% to pay for your needs. Secondly, save 20% in a high interest savings account.
Thirdly, use 30% to pay off any high interest debt. Fourth, once you've paid off your debts, use 25% to invest in a Roth IRA or a stocks and shares ISA.
Fifth, put 5% towards some risky place This is your chance to make some fast money. if you don't have everything figured out.
and it took me over 20 years to realize this. Most people are just navigating life as best they can. for not attending business school or even university,
I've learned that we're all just doing our best, You'll never reach the point where you know everything, Number 40, retirement might feel like it will never come,
I know a lot of YouTubers as you'll only get 8% per year. Of course, it's important to make money quickly,
to let some of it grow passively for your retirement. will shape your future success. And while I try to respond to as many as possible,
I often have to sift through them to find the valuable ones. For instance, if your message starts with, "but can I ask a question?"
"Hi, can we have a chat?" Instead, take some time to think about your question you're much more likely to receive a meaningful answer.
will directly impact the value of the response you get. not just focus on the destination. "not a destination."
is that the ups and downs of a great journey while the destination is just a brief moment Think about all those athletes you see getting interviewed
They're always asked, "It hasn't sunk in yet." after reaching their goal.
but then it's like what's next? So savor the ride and all the experiences along the way. If you're not spending money,
that nothing in his world comes without a cost. He would often argue with me and I'd explain those offers
That's because if something isn't costing you money, You've probably heard the saying time is money, you tend to think you have all the time in the world,
Don't waste it because before you know it you'll be 57 reflecting on your twilight years to come. and just get on with it.
but sitting around waiting for that ah-ha moment Instead, just start taking some small steps once you dive in,
so don't overthink it. Number 45, work hard now for an easier life later. Life often feels like it's turned upside down.
but you usually lack the funds to do so. your priorities shift towards wanting security, to enjoy a comfortable retirement.
but it often comes after years of hard work, and sometimes not living long enough to enjoy it fully. and resist the urge to follow the usual path,
This way, starting in your 30s, and it's been an amazing journey. Number 46, tackle the tough tasks in the morning.
but I enjoy it. but I used to approach them all wrong. as many items as possible,
While this might have looked impressive, Years ago, I shifted my strategy first thing in the morning.
and the best part finishing off the easier ones in the afternoon Number 47, the name of a university
Seriously, don't stress over what uni you go to At the end of the day, Employers care more about skills and experience
Number 48, look after your back. Sadly, this is advice that comes from firsthand experience.
Over time, a bad back can severely impact your productivity It's similar to having tooth ache, but, unlike dental pain, there's no quick fix to relieve it.
from technology and the internet, and lounging on uncomfortable sofas. You can replace your teeth,
Number 49, don't stress about being different. Honestly, I never let the idea of being weird bother me. I was a tall, skinny, ginger-haired, dyslexic teenager
Pretty unique, right? because you become comfortable with who you are trying to fit into molds that don't suit them.
allowing me to solve problems quickly. My passion for model planes sparked my first business, As for the ginger hair,
Number 50, choose your partner wisely. without my supportive wife. lots of different options,
and being on the same path together. make sure you really want to spend your life with them. because they were blinded by that early puppy love.
so take your time If you wanna know the smartest route then I'll leave that video right up there,
Make sure to subscribe if you wanna grow your wealth, okay? I'll see you over there.