The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter--And How to Make the Most of Them Now

by Meg Jay

It seemed unfair to talk about her weekends when it was her weekdays that made her so unhappy.

We think that by avoiding decisions now, we keep all of our options open for later. But not making choices is a choice all the same.

Twentysomethings who take the time to explore and also have the nerve to make commitments along the way construct stronger identities.

The one thing I have learned is that you can’t think your way through life. The only way to figure out what to do is to do—something.

No one had any reason to give me preferential treatment and, business is business, so no one did.

If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, which is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.

The best is the enemy of the good.

This was a problem because while schools and companies want originality and creativity, they want communication and reasoning even more.

Interviewers want to hear a reasonable story about the past, present, and future.

Aristotle said, “Beauty is a greater recommendation than any letter of introduction,”

The brain feels shocked—and endangered—so it “takes a picture” in order to be more prepared in the future.

Whether we are talking about love or work, the confidence that overrides insecurity comes from experience.

Much research suggests that work is the single biggest driver of personality change in young adulthood.