[custom_adv] Your 20s are a time of figuring out your blueprint for life. You’re officially an adult, moving beyond the naivety of your teenage years, but not yet entrenched in the responsibilities of adulthood. You’re launching toward your future, full of energy and possibility. [custom_adv] You start by building a foundation that will give you the insight, experiences, skills and knowledge you need to become who you’re meant to be. [custom_adv] You learn to leverage your talents and build your best life, step by step. Each person will do it differently and each will find a unique path that works for them. [custom_adv] Your 20s are a time to discover who you are and what you care about. This is when you should be embracing big, audacious ideas and dreams, and using your passions to energize you and propel you forward. [custom_adv] Too often, people in their 20s fail to learn the delicate art of respectfully disagreeing with others. You must learn how to stand your ground and defend yourself when necessary. [custom_adv] Don’t underestimate the importance of learning how to ask for what you want. If you want something, go after it, and don’t let anything hold you back. Learn how to clearly communicate your expectations and needs to other people, including friends and family. [custom_adv] Your 20s are an important time in which to run experiments and figure out what’s important to you, and where your talents and interests intersect. It’s a time to figure out what you’re really good at. To do this, you need to be flexible and open to trying new things out. [custom_adv] Sometimes life throws us for a loop, and we have to think on our feet and allow ourselves to find a new, and possibly even more exciting, path forward. Embrace change and make it your own. Be open to new opportunities and trying out new things. [custom_adv] Strategic networking is a key driver behind increased salaries and career advancement, yet many of us spend our 20s networking haphazardly. Now is the time to begin building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with others who can help you, and whom you can help in turn.