Success Advice

What I Haven’t Done In My Younger Years That Society Tells Me I Should

Published

8 years ago

Jun 30, 2017

A day doesn’t seem to fart on by without someone telling me that I should have done X when I was younger. It’s like if you haven’t done such and such by a certain age, you are a retard with no friends.

I question everything that society says we should do and you should too. Learn to ask why!

When you ask why you realize that many of the things society values are total crap. Most people can’t tell you why they do stuff which is a worry in itself.

The reason we value the below list I’m about to talk about is because that’s what we’ve always done. It may have made sense fifty years ago when we didn’t know what we know now, but it makes bugger all sense in the 21st Century.

So here’s what I haven’t done:

Got married

I haven’t found the right woman yet. Marrying the first girl or guy who’s nice to you because society says you have to is BS.

Do it when you find the right person or don’t do it at all. Divorce is expensive and I couldn’t be stuffed with the drama of seeing my life fall to pieces around me because I didn’t wait for the right partner.

Had kids

See point one. I’m not married and last time I checked you needed a woman to have sex and create babies. But hey, I could be wrong with all this cutting edge science shit. Maybe you think about sex these days and get a woman pregnant.

Doesn’t sound like the way I’d do it but hey, whatever floats your boat, right?

Kids will happen when you are ready for them to happen – assuming you use protection everybody.

Bought a luxury car

Okay, so I lied. I have kind of done this one although I stopped this habit a long time ago.

Almost every investment book you’ve ever read says don’t buy a luxury car. I’ve had high-end cars and normal cars.

“The normal car I drive now still kicks ass but it doesn’t bleed me dry like the nurse does when I have a blood test”

Actually, my normal car feels better than any luxury car I’ve ever had. Who gives a rats ass what car you drive. Is anyone really fooled by all these luxury cars? Does society really not understand the car depreciates, costs a bucket load to service and doesn’t make your penis or breasts larger?

Also, do you not realize that none of these snobs driving these cars actually own the car? The bank or finance company owns the car.

The poor driver can barely afford to get out of the car and into Starbucks to buy a Grande Frappucino. As a side note, I’ve never been into Starbucks so not sure if that’s on the menu. I’m sure the coffee is just swell.

Bought a house

I’m not convinced a house is an absolute must. I’d rather see our younger generation become entrepreneurs and create a business that can feed them for life. A house can come when you have a family or have the money.

“Traveling the world without the hassle of a house when you’re young feels like wearing pants with no underwear – you feel free in other words”

Free like a freaking bird in the sky (I borrowed that line from some techno song called Beachball). I’m still not quite sure how bricks, cement, a bit of timber and a garage with a remote control door is supposed to completely change my life and make me happy as freaking Larry. Please explain society.

Done a trip around Europe

I’ll get to it when I can be assed. The planet’s not going anywhere unless you believe in superstition. I know I haven’t posted a bunch of photos of me at the Leaning Tower Of Pisa, in my Ray Bans, with my hot girlfriend who’s covered in perfect makeup as if the photo was taken off the cuff without preparation.

All these Europe photos on your social media accounts don’t make you smarter. You’re not cooler because you have been there and I haven’t. Travel is something you do when you feel like it. We all have breaks in our career and in my experience, that’s the best time to travel.

Like the time I started a business with my brother, nearly lost my mind and quit. That’s a great time to take a long ass vacation to somewhere like Europe and show your pals how freaking good you are. Having said that, make sure you travel at some stage during your life. It will change your reality.

Got an MBA (Masters Of Business Administration)

There are lots of peeps dropping the word “MBA” these days. For starters, it’s an acronym so that automatically makes you dumb. Secondly, the name of the university means jack shit to me.

“All that I care about is whether you know how to add value to this world in your own unique way. I have zero business education and I’d still outsell your ass, outwork your ass and out hustle your ass when it come’s to doing a startup. Business has nothing to do with having an MBA”

It’s nice to have, but not essential by any means. If you really need some lame ass letters after your name to sound cool, then you got bigger problems which I can’t help you with. The moment you need an MBA to validate your worth is the moment you start to live a mediocre life.

Most of what I learned about business was done on the job. It went like this: Start. Fail. Start Fail. You get my drift. It happened like this multiple times and it still happens like this today. Every failure is ten times more powerful than an MBA especially when there is a shit ton of cash involved.

There’s nothing like learning when you have your own money at stake. Not to mention, the money you need for an MBA would help me start at least three online businesses. Something to think about.

Oh, and no I’m not against university, so you don’t need to send me angry emails at 3 am in the morning when I’m trying to get my beauty sleep from writing you all of this crazy hot advice that changes your life and stuff.

Here’s what society should value instead:

– Your individuality and quirkiness
– Where you came from
– Love
– Happiness
– Personal growth
– Fitness
– Energy
– Passion
– Health
– Entrepreneurship (i.e., changing the world)

Now is that list long enough for ya? These are the elements of a kick ass life and this is what society should value. It’s these things ladies and gentlemen that will make your entire life worth it.

Have I missed something? Would someone please explain all of this MBA stuff to me? Will the Real Slim Shady please stand up?

If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net

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Aussie Blogger with 500M+ views — Writer for CNBC & Business Insider. Inspiring the world through Personal Development and Entrepreneurship You can connect with Tim through his website www.timdenning.com

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Before chasing success, every young man needs to face these 9 brutal realities shaping masculinity in the modern world.

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Many young men today quietly battle depression, loneliness, and a sense of confusion about who they’re meant to be.

Some blame the lack of deep friendships or romantic relationships. Others feel lost in a digital world that often labels traditional masculinity as “toxic.”

But the truth is this: becoming a man in the modern age takes more than just surviving. It takes resilience, direction, and a willingness to grow even when no one’s watching.

Success doesn’t arrive by accident or luck. It’s built on discipline, sacrifice, and consistency.

Here are 9 harsh truths every young man should know if he wants to thrive, not just survive, in the digital age.

1. Never Use Your Illness as an Excuse

As Dr. Jordan B. Peterson often says, successful people don’t complain; they act.

Your illness, hardship, or struggle shouldn’t define your limits; it should define your motivation. Rest when you must, but always get back up and keep building your dreams. Motivation doesn’t appear magically. It comes after you take action.

Here are five key lessons I’ve learned from Dr. Peterson:

Learn to write clearly; clarity of thought makes you dangerous.
Read quality literature in your free time.
Nurture a strong relationship with your family.
Share your ideas publicly; your voice matters.
Become a “monster”, powerful, but disciplined enough to control it.

The best leaders and thinkers are grounded. They welcome criticism, adapt quickly, and keep moving forward no matter what.

2. You Can’t Please Everyone And That’s Okay

You don’t need a crowd of people to feel fulfilled. You need a few friends who genuinely accept you for who you are.

If your circle doesn’t bring out your best, it’s okay to walk away. Solitude can be a powerful teacher. It gives you space to understand what you truly want from life. Remember, successful men aren’t people-pleasers; they’re purpose-driven.

3. You Can Control the Process, Not the Outcome

Especially in creative work, writing, business, or content creation, you control effort, not results.

You might publish two articles a day, but you can’t dictate which one will go viral. Focus on mastery, not metrics. Many great writers toiled for years in obscurity before anyone noticed them. Rejection, criticism, and indifference are all part of the path.

The best creators focus on storytelling, not applause.

4. Rejection Is Never Personal

Rejection doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It simply means your offer, idea, or timing didn’t align.

Every successful person has faced rejection repeatedly. What separates them is persistence and perspective. They see rejection as feedback, not failure. The faster you learn that truth, the faster you’ll grow.

5. Women Value Comfort and Security

Understanding women requires maturity and empathy.

Through books, lectures, and personal growth, I’ve learned that most women desire a man who is grounded, intelligent, confident, emotionally stable, and consistent. Some want humor, others intellect, but nearly all want to feel safe and supported.

Instead of chasing attention, work on self-improvement. Build competence and confidence, and the rest will follow naturally.

6. There’s No Such Thing as Failure, Only Lessons

A powerful lesson from Neuro-Linguistic Programming: failure only exists when you stop trying.

Every mistake brings data. Every setback builds wisdom. The most successful men aren’t fearless. They’ve simply learned to act despite fear.

Be proud of your scars. They’re proof you were brave enough to try.

7. Public Speaking Is an Art Form

Public speaking is one of the most valuable and underrated skills a man can master.

It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection. The best speakers tell stories, inspire confidence, and make people feel seen. They research deeply, speak honestly, and practice relentlessly.

If you can speak well, you can lead, sell, teach, and inspire. Start small, practice at work, in class, or even in front of a mirror, and watch your confidence skyrocket.

8. Teaching Is Leadership in Disguise

Great teachers are not just knowledgeable. They’re brave, compassionate, and disciplined.

Teaching forces you to articulate what you know, and in doing so, you master it at a deeper level. Whether you’re mentoring a peer, leading a team, or sharing insights online, teaching refines your purpose.

Lifelong learners become lifelong leaders.

9. Study Human Nature to Achieve Your Dreams

One of the toughest lessons to accept: most people are self-interested.

That’s not cynicism, it’s human nature. Understanding this helps you navigate relationships, business, and communication more effectively.

Everyone has a darker side, but successful people learn to channel theirs productively into discipline, creativity, and drive.

Psychology isn’t just theory; it’s a toolkit. Learn how people think, act, and decide, and you’ll know how to lead them, influence them, and even understand yourself better.

Final Thoughts

The digital age offers endless opportunities, but only to those who are willing to take responsibility, confront discomfort, and keep improving.

Becoming a man today means embracing the hard truths most avoid.

Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about luck. It’s about who you become when life tests you the most.

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