A 15-year-old copywriter reached out to me asking for life advice.
Here are the nine things I told him:
Here are the nine things I told him:
1) Open up a Roth IRA account.
Time is your greatest asset at this age.
NO ONE your age is thinking about these things. This is your opportunity to amass great wealth without having to lift a finger.
For example:
Time is your greatest asset at this age.
NO ONE your age is thinking about these things. This is your opportunity to amass great wealth without having to lift a finger.
For example:
If you were to invest $6,000 this year into $SPY (which averages ~10% compounding return over the past 25 years)... ONE TIME...
... you'd wind up with ~$704,345.12 at retirement.
You wouldn't miss that $6k. You'd forget you even invested it.
... you'd wind up with ~$704,345.12 at retirement.
You wouldn't miss that $6k. You'd forget you even invested it.
But it'd start you on the path to building wealth way before any of your peers.
The decision to become an investor at an early age can ultimately be more important than your annual salary or career choice.
Next...
The decision to become an investor at an early age can ultimately be more important than your annual salary or career choice.
Next...
2) Read everything you can get your hands on about Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger
If you want to be successful in business,the greatest skill you can learn is capital allocation.
It's not sales, it's not marketing, it's not leadership, it's not cold email, it's NOT copywriting...
It's not sales, it's not marketing, it's not leadership, it's not cold email, it's NOT copywriting...
It's learning the art of taking a small amount of money and turning it into a larger amount of money.
Besides...
Besides...
When you start making good money as a copywriter, you HAVE to start making capital allocation decisions anyway.
This is why I was able to take my first ever $300 copywriting project and turn it into a $974,000/year business:
businessinsider.com
This is why I was able to take my first ever $300 copywriting project and turn it into a $974,000/year business:
businessinsider.com
I understood how to take cash I was making from copywriting projects and invest it properly... so I could continue to build and acquire assets in my business.
Copywriting is cool. But to make real money in this world, you need to understand the principles of capital allocation.
Copywriting is cool. But to make real money in this world, you need to understand the principles of capital allocation.
Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger are two of the world's best capital allocators.
They have hundreds of maxims and principles that will serve you well in life.
Learn this now so it can influence the decision-making filter you take with you on your journey through life.
Next...
They have hundreds of maxims and principles that will serve you well in life.
Learn this now so it can influence the decision-making filter you take with you on your journey through life.
Next...
3) Lift weights 3x per week.
Train like a bodybuilder.
Focus on aesthetics, above all else. If you manage to push your mind and body to build an impressive physique, you will get plenty strong in the process.
Train like a bodybuilder.
Focus on aesthetics, above all else. If you manage to push your mind and body to build an impressive physique, you will get plenty strong in the process.
People judge a book by its cover.
Life is easier when you're better-looking. It's also easier when people are slightly intimidated being around you.
Start lifting and NEVER stop.
Life is easier when you're better-looking. It's also easier when people are slightly intimidated being around you.
Start lifting and NEVER stop.
Train smart. Don't lift like a jerkoff to try and impress your friends or other people in the weight room.
If you need guidance, you should follow guys like:
@anymanfitness
@AJA_Cortes
@josiahfitness
If you need guidance, you should follow guys like:
@anymanfitness
@AJA_Cortes
@josiahfitness
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness 4) Eat relatively healthy
As a copywriter or entrepreneur, you're going to want to perform well. You're going to want your mind and body to work for you, instead of against you.
So eat healthy.
Build this habit now so you don't have to unfuck your habits later in life.
As a copywriter or entrepreneur, you're going to want to perform well. You're going to want your mind and body to work for you, instead of against you.
So eat healthy.
Build this habit now so you don't have to unfuck your habits later in life.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness It doesn't mean you have to live like a Spartan.
It's OK to eat pizza with your friends and be a kid.
Just start learning how to take care of yourself so you get on the path early.
It's OK to eat pizza with your friends and be a kid.
Just start learning how to take care of yourself so you get on the path early.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness Your metabolism is never going to be as good as it is now. That means you can get away with eating like shit.
But it'll come back to bite you later in life.
I ate Poptarts for breakfast every day in high school and had a six-pack and single digit bodyfat.
But it'll come back to bite you later in life.
I ate Poptarts for breakfast every day in high school and had a six-pack and single digit bodyfat.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness That ends one day.
Your habits are what will remain.
Onward...
Your habits are what will remain.
Onward...
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness 5) Do a combat sport.
Most of your peers are pussies. You might even be a pussy, too.
Doing a combat sport will help you get tough.
I wrestled through high school and college and it gave me an incredible competitive advantage in life.
Most of your peers are pussies. You might even be a pussy, too.
Doing a combat sport will help you get tough.
I wrestled through high school and college and it gave me an incredible competitive advantage in life.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness Most of my collegaues have never pushed themselves to their limits.
They've never experienced adversity.
They've never played through an injury.
They've never been punched in the face.
Never had their nose broken.
Never been concussed.
They've never experienced adversity.
They've never played through an injury.
They've never been punched in the face.
Never had their nose broken.
Never been concussed.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness They've never had to do anything remotely difficult. Which is why the crack under pressure and underperform.
The greatest gift a combat sport will give you is mental toughness. It will teach you discipline and perseverance.
The greatest gift a combat sport will give you is mental toughness. It will teach you discipline and perseverance.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness If you don't wrestle, then take up BJJ, Boxing, or Muy Thai.
Get in the ring.
Get hit.
Realize that you're not made of glass.
Get in the ring.
Get hit.
Realize that you're not made of glass.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness 6) Learn how to dress well.
When you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you write good.
When you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you write good.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness Two guys you should be following:
@WellBuiltStyle
@tannerguzy
These two dudes will teach you how to present yourself well in the world.
@WellBuiltStyle
@tannerguzy
These two dudes will teach you how to present yourself well in the world.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy Even if you're sitting at home, typing by yourself on your computer, you want to look good.
Dress like a slob, write like a slob.
Dress like the man you want to become.
Dress like a slob, write like a slob.
Dress like the man you want to become.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy 7) Try to read two books a month.
One of them can be about copywriting/business.
The second one should be about something that interests you.
You do NOT have to read a book a day to be successful.
One of them can be about copywriting/business.
The second one should be about something that interests you.
You do NOT have to read a book a day to be successful.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy You might feel this urge to become a total bookworm so you can become an expert copywriter fast.
But, I'll be honest with you...
But, I'll be honest with you...
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy At fifteen years old, you're NOT going to be a good copywriter.
It's just not going to happen.
You might become a great copywriter SOMEDAY...
It's just not going to happen.
You might become a great copywriter SOMEDAY...
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy But at fifteen, you simply haven't lived enough of your life to empathize with the people you're going to be selling too.
Life hasn't kicked you in the balls just yet.
You're still seeing the world through rose-colored glasses.
Life hasn't kicked you in the balls just yet.
You're still seeing the world through rose-colored glasses.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy As you meander through life, you're going to meet a lot of people and learn a lot about human psychology.
You're going to see man-made horros beyond your comprehension.
You're going to know pain you never thought you could ever feel.
You're going to see man-made horros beyond your comprehension.
You're going to know pain you never thought you could ever feel.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy These life experiences will teach you empathy and help you understand the people you're selling to.
Learn as much as you can about the craft. Get your reps in. Get some practice writing and getting paid.
Learn as much as you can about the craft. Get your reps in. Get some practice writing and getting paid.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy Just know that your best work will come as you accumulate more life experiences.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy 8) Learn how to sell
You're a kid.
You should be selling packs of gum to your classmates In the hallway.
You should be mowing lawns or powerwashing houses in the summer.
You should be learning how to spot opportunities for problems you can solve.
You're a kid.
You should be selling packs of gum to your classmates In the hallway.
You should be mowing lawns or powerwashing houses in the summer.
You should be learning how to spot opportunities for problems you can solve.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy This will turn you into a much better copywriter than trying to write for clients, at this age.
If you learn how to sell in person, selling in print becomes easier.
If you learn how to sell in person, selling in print becomes easier.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy Plus, you'll never find yourself with this much time or freedom ever again.
Go explore the micro-economy that's all around you.
Go explore the micro-economy that's all around you.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy 9) Do some stupid shit and make some memories with your friends.
You might feel the urge to get a jump on everyone and start your copywritng career early.
But you have your whole life to become a work-a-holic writer.
You might feel the urge to get a jump on everyone and start your copywritng career early.
But you have your whole life to become a work-a-holic writer.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy There's a chance you'll wind up chained to your computer for the next 40 years.
It's probably a good idea to bask in the bliss of the real world and enjoy life before real responsibilities.
It's probably a good idea to bask in the bliss of the real world and enjoy life before real responsibilities.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy Boring people make boring writers.
Live an interesting life.
Do fun stuff.
Live an interesting life.
Do fun stuff.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy Obviously don't do anything overly-stupid.
- Don't put yourself at risk of death or dismemberment.
- Don't do fucking pills.
- Don't do anything that can land you in jail (or prison)
- Don't put yourself at risk of death or dismemberment.
- Don't do fucking pills.
- Don't do anything that can land you in jail (or prison)
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy If you wanna stay up late and play video games with your friends instead of doing homework... it's ok once in a while.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy As long as these things don't become regular habits, you'll probably be OK.
You need to fuck up a little bit to learn whats right and wrong.
Have your fun, make your memories, and then make something of yourself.
Honestly...
You need to fuck up a little bit to learn whats right and wrong.
Have your fun, make your memories, and then make something of yourself.
Honestly...
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy You should probably also take some time to go be bored.
Go outside on a nice sunny day and watch how the blades of glass dance in the wind.
Stare at the clouds for two hours straight.
Get lost in a sense of wonder about the world around you.
Go outside on a nice sunny day and watch how the blades of glass dance in the wind.
Stare at the clouds for two hours straight.
Get lost in a sense of wonder about the world around you.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy Life is long.
It doesn't always feel that way.
Because when you're young, you just want to grow up and "arrive" as fast as you can.
Except...
You never really arrive anywhere.
It's all one big journey.
It doesn't always feel that way.
Because when you're young, you just want to grow up and "arrive" as fast as you can.
Except...
You never really arrive anywhere.
It's all one big journey.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy So have some fun.
Do some interesting shit.
Make some mistakes.
Study hard.
Play hard.
Train hard.
Start building the habits you'll need later in life.
And then give yourself permission to explore the nooks and crannies of the human experience.
Do some interesting shit.
Make some mistakes.
Study hard.
Play hard.
Train hard.
Start building the habits you'll need later in life.
And then give yourself permission to explore the nooks and crannies of the human experience.
@anymanfitness @AJA_Cortes @josiahfitness @WellBuiltStyle @tannerguzy Did I forget anything important?
Drop your best piece of advice to the 15-year-old version of YOU below.
Drop your best piece of advice to the 15-year-old version of YOU below.
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