A message to the youth

This is a post I wish I could have read years ago, maybe it will help someone that needs it now, if they can be bothered to listen.

Brace yourselves, will be adding dramatic titles for effect and to aide those with short attention spans in 2019.

Obsession: The ascent (or descent?)
A while before I began my first year at university, I came across investing by chance. It left me captivated, I knew this was something I had to pursue, If I ever wanted to tell people "I tap dance to work", among other reasons. It was on, I had to find ways of getting into this industry, ready to do whatever takes, surely it was gonna be simple right?

My first year begins, I hit the ground running. If I was going to become an investment manager, who better to gain advice from than the managers themselves. Emailed a couple hundred each year, hoping for phone calls, response rate abysmal but that's the game. Networked into some informal internships and events, each time feeling like I was getting closer. I continued to read the books, listening to podcasts and pursued other certificates/endeavours to improve my chances. Thank god for my early crypto investments, couldn't have pulled off a quarter of these activities without them.

So far so good, we're halfway through university: I'm on a sports team, academics going okay, social side okay-ish, side activities okay, my network keeps expanding and it feels like I'm almost there.

Fall: Pride and Regret
The dream/vision is getting to my head with each successive networking interaction. In order to completely secure it, I decided to invest more time/money/energy. Stopped leading a balanced life and began to neglect many other aspects. I didn't care, the dream was all that mattered, I had to will it into existence (can be quite relentless sometimes). Will admit, I started missing out on some opportunities/experiences. The thinking process behind many of my decisions became "If I did this, will it help me actualise my vision?" To be fair, I'm kinda thankful for some of these choices, know some people who payed the price for choosing otherwise.

Slowly, I'm starting to come to the realisation that I may not make it. Tough market, maybe the euphoria got to my head. I doubled down, reduced contact with friends, less sport, stopped gym... I had to focus, couldn't waste time. I found myself almost behaving like a robot and the situation had gotten sticky healthwise, had lost too much weight (saving money + didn't need to eat as much since i reduced my activity).

Did I make the right choices, was it worth it?

Transformation: Live again
In the beginning of my final year, I couldn't even recognise myself, shocked I'd let ambition/stubborness drive me this far. I came across a special someone, started chilling together on weekends in what I would call therapy sessions.

I started to change my perspective, life shouldn't so serious no matter who you are or where you come from. Took on stoicism and a little bit of Jordan Peterson (just a little) and began to invest time in great friends I had neglected. Something I value now, especially in this lonely and antisocial society. Hit the gym serious and went above my previous peak physique (kinda slowed down now).

I was living again.

Going forwards: Moving Correctly
A few changes took place after graduation, a couple challenges here and there. No big deal, as long one keeps perspective and has support from others.

I'm now in the investment industry, not in the role I'd like to be in but will get there one day. If not, I'll continue to invest personally with friends.
Still ambitious but not to the point of self-destruction. Sometimes it feels like I lost some of the hunger, kinda like Michael B Jordan in Creed 2, when he says he can't hear "that thing" anymore (dramatic much?).

However, I'm definitely in a better place than I ever was before. It's twisted but I'm glad it happened, plenty growth occurred and rediscovered what brings joy in life.

Tldr: Don't be so serious, it will come with time. Enjoy experiences and never neglect friends/family, they're more important, in this day and age, than you can ever imagine. A lil stoicism won't hurt either, mix a little minimalism in and life is a lot more peaceful.