Twenties Life

Here’s the deal: Hate it or love it, people will judge you by the image your project.  Your personal image will be used to determine how successful you are, or even worse, how successful you are capable of being.  That’s right, the sad truth is that if you don’t look like you could play the part of an executive, you may never get the chance, no matter how hard you work.

A projection of success is often a double-edged sword, though.  Just look at doctors.  Many of them feel the pressure to look successful even when in residency (making about 40k per year).  This causes them to go out and buy a luxury car, spend countless dollars on a top-end wardrobe, and go to and do the things that successful doctors often do.  They are “forced” to play this game for their entire lives, and many never save enough to retire.  This is not the path that I’m promoting here.  If anything, I’m exploiting this exact idea for your benefit.

If you are willing to do the work and dedicate a little time, you can project the same level of success that people who make 2-10 times as much as you have.  Of course this isn’t necessary, but if your goal is to “fake it till you make it” this will help you get there.

First off, when you think luxury car, what comes to mind?  For me it’s Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes Benz.  A Mercedes C300 starts at $33k. A BMW 328i starts at $36k.  A Lexus IS starts at $37.5k.  So it’s easy to see how it could be dangerous buying a $35k car on your entry level salary.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t own one.  Consider this: A 2003 BMW 330i with less than 50,000 miles on it is valued (by Kelly Blue Book) at $13,230.  This car probably has equivalent or better technology than the car you are currently driving, even if it costs less (a Toyota Corolla starts at $15k, and you better believe that doesn’t come with navigation or the other cool things you can get from a luxury car).

Maybe you didn’t know that you could get them that cheap, or maybe you are afraid to drive a used car.  Let me just tell you this.  My car is a BMW 328ci (2000) with 95k miles, and my fiance drives a Lexus RX300 (2002) with more than 150k miles, and both of our cars run fantastically.  Coincidentally, the car I owned previously was a Chevrolet Camaro, and though I drove it to 179k miles, it didn’t run brand new as good as my BMW now drives (with almost 100k miles).  The quality of craftsmanship that is put into these luxury cars is unbelievable, and if you are willing to sacrifice having the latest model, you can ride around in style without breaking the bank.

Next, take a look at your boss’s (or his/her boss’s) wardrobe.  Chances are your’s doesn’t compare, or if it does your wallet looks extra thin.  This doesn’t have to be that way.  I own many suits and sports coats, including an Armani coat, and the most I’ve ever spend on any 1 item was $189 (and that’s for the suit I’m getting married in).  If you are willing to stalk and hunt an item you really want, you can get it for way less than retail.  Also, if you are willing to sacrifice brand for style, you can get away with plenty of great stuff on the cheap.  My first three piece suit came from Target.  I’m a pretty lean, muscular guy, so it fit perfectly off the rack and required no alterations.  And while I can’t say it looked better than an Armani or Hugo Boss suit, I’ll tell you I get complimented EVERY SINGLE time I wear it.  Here are some of my shopping strategies that work well.  They just require you to do a little work.

• Subscribe to email notifications for the stores you shop at often.  Macy’s had an amazing sale this last weekend, and I walked out with 6 pairs of slacks, 2 belts, and a suit for less than 400 bucks.
• Use coupons and shop clearance.  At Express, I bought 3 button down shirts on sale, 3 for $29 each (usually $49.95 each).  But I also had a coupon that was spend $75, get $25 off.  So I got 3 shirts for $66 when it would usually be $150.  Not bad.
• Hit up your local Marshalls, Ross, TJ Maxx or other discount brand seller once every couple of weeks.  You’ll find great shoes, shirts, pants, ties, and belts at a fraction of their retail price.  You’ll have to do a little hunting in these stores, but a great find can save you hundreds.
• Hit up the outlet malls.  This is where I got my Armani sports coat.  It retailed $550, and I got it for a whopping $95.  Of course, I wear a 42L, which probably isn’t very popular, but it was still an awesome find.  I also recently got Banana Republic’s last seasons polos for $15 each (usually $40) because the new seasons line has 3 buttons instead of two.  I bought 6.  For that price, I’ll sacrifice the extra button.
• Don’t wait till you need it.  If you find a good deal, buy it and store it.  Even if you have to sacrifice a dinner outing this week to recoup the cost, it’s worth it rather than paying retail on the day you need it.

I guess the moral of the story is that you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to look successful.  Even when I’m established in my career, which averages between 150k-350k per year, I’ll still never buy a new luxury car.  It just doesn’t make financial sense.  Plus, it feels like a great accomplishment when I find these deals.  I’m driving a BMW for a fraction of what most people spend to drive their Toyota Camrys and Ford Tauruses.

All it takes is a little discipline (to not buy things at full price), a little time each week (to check out my usual shopping places), and patience (to wait till it costs what I’m willing to pay).

So, do you still think that it’s too expensive to project an image of success?  I don’t.

I am a horrible morning person.  I have a 35 minute (at best) drive to work, which I’m supposed to be at at 8 a.m., and I wake up at 7:20.  If you do the math, that gives me 5 minutes to be dressed and out the door.  Sure, I’ve maximized my efficiency by having a shaved hairstyle, knowing what I’m going to wear the night before, and showering before bed, but it’s still a terrible routine.

My friend, David Pierce @ Digitizd.com found ways to digitize his morning routine to ease the pain of having to get out of that warm and comfy cocoon.  I need to design something like that.  Here’s what I’m thinking:

1. wake up to the sound of something pleasant, like Kokomo by the Beach Boys
2. step out onto my balcony (to feel the weather) and stretch
3. Start a cup of tea or coffee (depending on how much of a boost I need) and a breakfast snack (toast or something)
4. Load the news on my iPad and see what’s new (I should really keep up with current events)
5. leave home and start my drive

Now all of this will probably add another 30 minutes onto my 5 minute wake-up plan I have now, but it will start a routine that will have me awake and ready by the time I get to work, rather than still rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.  Plus if I get this routine down, I can even add a short 10 minute workout and really jumpstart my day.  You wouldn’t believe what a couple of push-ups, crunches, and jumping jacks can do to get the blood flowing.

So here’s my pledge.  Starting tomorrow morning I’m going to try my new routine.  I’m going to stick to it for 30 days and see what it does to my productivity.  I’ll report back in 30 days and let you know how it went.

Are there any tweaks I should make to my routine before I start?  What is your morning routine?  What do you to to start your day off right?  Leave a comment below and help me (and the TwentiesLife readers) get a grip on my mornings.  Thanks!

We all know the importance of not putting all of your eggs in one basket.  Relying on one salary or source of income can be detrimental, especially in this economy.  And besides, who couldn’t use an extra couple of hundred bucks each month.  Here are a couple of interesting ways to put some greenbacks in your wallet without relying on your day job.  Remember, it would be better to make a little money from 10 different sources than a lot from 1, because if you lost one, it wouldn’t be nearly as devastating.

Note that this isn’t passive income.  Most of these ideas require you to do real work, not just sit back and somehow get rich.  Still, many of these ideas can generate a respectable side income, and when you do more than one of them you can get a good amount of cash flowing in.

Sell Stuff:  This one’s pretty simple, and that’s why it’s first.  Look through your old stuff.  We stockpile so much stuff throughout the years, and much of it we don’t need.  Go through every room in your home.  Make a list of the things that you don’t need but could get make a couple of bucks off.  Even if you don’t think it’s worth much, other people might.  Get those textbooks, old gadgets, computers, kitchen stuff, and even your spare parts in your garage together.  Your best selling sources will be Ebay and Craigslist.

Develop Useful Skills: There are many ways to make money without requiring a full time job or getting a degree.  Here are a few that I’ve learned so far.  Web Design and development, graphic design, photomanipulation, computer maintenance, hardware and software installation, and lots of other computer stuff.  I’ve also learned how to use TurboTax effectively, and help many of my friends with their taxes.

Learn to Maintain or DIY:  There’s no easier way to save money than to learn to do things yourself.  For example, a quick tune-up on your car could cost hundreds of dollars, but many tune-ups can be done yourself, with very little expertise.  A little home maintenance could cost you thousands, but with an instruction book and a little sweat, you could do many things yourself for a fraction of the cost to contract the work.

Make Friends in Other Professions:  People love to know people who can do things that they can’t.  I have a great friend who helps me with personal finance and investing, another who’s a neuroscientist, and another who is a performance car mechanic.  Needless to say, we all have skills that we can share, collaborate on, and trade.  I’ve been refered to build websites for many friends, and most of the time by these same friends who know very little about web design.  And I’ve sent many people to them.  Do good work for a friend and they’ll be your best salesman.

Make Hobbies Into Businesses:  Who says you can’t be an accountant by day and a rock star by night?  Sure you may never go platinum, but that’s no reason not to get a band together and perform a couple of local gigs.  Many times you can find a paid gig in your area if you search enough.  The same goes for sports (give lessons to children), writing (resume writing and editing, paper writing, etc), photography, videography, quilting, scrapbooking, and practically any other hobby you’ve picked up throughout your years.  Never picked up a hobby?  Maybe todays the day!

Vending Machines:  Know of a place where a vending machine would be great?  Maybe vending machines could be your business.  I’ve known a fella who made his entire living just managing those quarter machines with gum balls and M&Ms in them.

Gardening:  First of all, let me say this: there is nothing more rewarding then building or growing something with your own hands.  Gardening is one of those things that is just fulfilling in every aspect.  Pick some of your favorite fruits and veggies and get a garden growing.  Sell your excess at your local farmers market.

Buy/Sell:  Here’s an idea that I really liked.  A friend of mine loves cars.  He loves working on them, he loves driving them, he loves detailing them, he loves it all.  He saved up a few thousand dollars and is now working to grow it.  What does he do?  He gets on Craigslist, finds a decent car that isn’t too expensive, buys it, and cleans it up.  He details it, does a few maintenance things, drives it for a couple of days, and then lists it right back on Craigslist.  He tells me he’s never sold a car for a loss.  Not bad if you ask me.

Freelance Your Job Skills:  Unless you’ve been made to sign some sort of waiver saying that you will not use your job skills outside of your job, this one is a no brainer.  If you are an accountant, I see no reason why you should not be using those skills outside of your job, even if only to make some pocket change on the side.  Mechanics do it, web designers do it, and you can do it too.

Teaching/Tutoring/Mentoring:  You have knowledge that other people want.  We all know something worth knowing.  And beyond the financial factor, teaching is one of the most rewarding things you can do.  Whatever is in your brain can be used to make money.  Figure out what you’re good at, and offer to do it for a small fee. Craigslist is great for this too.

So there you have it… 10 simple ways to fatten your wallet.  And you don’t even have to learn much or sacrifice much to start these.  Just work with what you have.  Imagine if you only did 3 of these per month and each could only provide you with $100 per month.  Is $300 per month for doing the things you already know how to do not worth it?  For this recent college graduate who’s just gotten his first full time salary job, it definitely is.

I’ll take that to the bank!

We all have a few pet peeves that we can’t stand about our significant other. But as it turns out, men seem to share a few of these attributes that most women just can’t stand.  Now, I must warn you.  This knowledge can be very useful.  You can either avoid these habits, which would be great for your relationship, or you can use these habits to kill your relationship.  Your choice.  You’ve been warned.

1. You think your way is the only way – Men seem to love themselves so much that they think their opinions are the only ones that matter.  We think that our way is best, and we get frustrated when our ladies do things another way.  Want to kill your relationship quickly?  Keep telling her she’s doing it wrong when she doesn’t do something your way.
2. You call her too much - Some guys (probably you) don’t know how much to call her.  Here’s a hint:  if you are calling her multiple times a day, and your conversations aren’t that interesting, and she seems to be doing things, but you keep calling, that’s probably too much.  Here’s another hint:  If she seems to keep asking “what’s up?” or “why are you calling?” you should probably take the hint.
3. You talk too damn much – I’m guilty of this one as well.  I don’t know what it is, but I just love to be part of the conversation.  Sometimes we talk more than we think, and for our ladies this can be a real problem.  Here’s a way to tell if you have a problem:  if you find yourself waiting to say what you want to say next rather than listening to what she’s saying, you need to reevaluate your talking…
4. Laundry next to the laundry hamper – It’s amazing how often our clothes can get so close to the laundry hamper without making it into it.  For me personally, laundry can find it’s way to all sorts of places, but rarely is it in the hamper.  Stop being a bum and get your laundry in the hamper.
5. You ignore her when you’re watching TV - In her mind, nothing on TV is so important that it’s worth neglecting your relationship for.  Not even the game!
6. You correct her in front of people – One thing that really gets on her nerves is when you correct her in front of people.  It’s degrading, embarrassing, and insulting.  If you value her, you should refrain.
7. You comment about other women – She knows you look.  Heck she looks.  But you don’t need to say anything about it, and you definitely shouldn’t stare.  It’s offensive to your lady and the woman you’re looking at.
8. When you say you’re “fine” and you aren’t – She know’s you aren’t fine, you know you aren’t fine, and yet you tell her you’re fine.  She can’t stand it.  Just talk it out instead of acting like it’s all good when it isn’t.
9. Your old T-shirts - You’re in your twenties now, and those hilarious t-shirts are no longer funny.  Unless you’re cool with being the “Michael Cera” of your group, it’s time to upgrade to some solid colored tees, and v-neck would be even better than regular tees.
10. You compare her to other women (like your mother) – She’s not your mother and she’s not her friend/your coworker/(insert other woman here).  It’s pretty damn rude to compare her to them.  Take your woman as she is, or get out of the relationship.  Simple as that.

So there you go.  10 things she can’t stand about you.  Stop doing these and your relationship will probably improve instantly.  Start doing these and your relationship will probably crash and burn.  Just letting you know.  Use this information with caution.

TwentiesLife gives you great content.  We all know that.  But there are plenty of other places to get great content as well.  Don’t worry, you don’t even have to leave TwentiesLife to get the good stuff.  Here are some hot links.  Enjoy!

For the Fellas

10 Ways To Upgrade Your Casual Style

How To Get Things Done In The Car (And Live To Tell The Tale)

Manscaping Hair Removal For Men

3 Essential Tips for Successfully Packing for College

25 Ways to Build Your Biceps

Read Her Emotions

How to Get Over Your Fear of Approaching Women

10 Things every Guy Should Own (But Doesn’t)

For The Ladies

I Remember: My Journey through Fatness, Skinniness, and Healthiness

50 Things Men Wish Women Knew

Crazy Things You Don’t Know About Sex Toys

3 Beauty Treatments That Enhance Your Sexual Confidence

Quick, Last Minute Hairstyle Ideas

Eye-Opening Eyelash Maneuver

More to come soon!

Wow! As if giving away one awesome lenovo computer wasn’t enough, we’ve got another one for you! This one is super cool as well. It’s a Lenovo A70z all-in-one computer (read about it here). It’s sleek, sexy, and free to one of our loyal readers. So how do you win it? Here’s how the contest will go:

1. Subscribe to TwentiesLife here.
2. Become a Facebook Fan.
3. Create a funny theme song for TwentiesLife.  Look over the site, get an idea of what we are all about, and write (and perform if you have the equipment) a funny theme song.  If you have a webcam we’d love for you to sing the theme song, and if not just set the song to a common tune (like mary had a little lamb or old mcdonald had a farm…) and send us the lyrics. ]
4. Leave a comment below telling us why TwentiesLife is so awesome…!

send all entries to admin[at]twentieslife[dot]com

Entries will be judged on how funny, clever, and original they are.  Entries with video will receive higher points.  Good luck and have fun!  I know I will!

Contest ends July 14 at 11:59 p.m. central time.  Good luck!

Alright folks, the time you’ve been waiting for is here.  We’re giving away an awesome Lenovo A63 and two matching 19 inch monitors to go with it.  This is the perfect solution to your small business computing needs.  To learn everything you need to know about this computer check out this review.

So here’s how to win it

1. Come up with a small business plan.  Send your plan to admin[at]twentieslife[dot]com  (replace [at] with @ and [dot] with . )  Remember that the more details and the better thought out your plan is the better chance you have of winning.  This is not a random contest.
2. Leave a comment below using your correct email address exclaiming that you entered.  Also give me 1 good tip on how to improve TwentiesLife.com.
3. Become a fan of TwentiesLife.com on facebook

That’s all it takes.  The contest will run till Tuesday, July 13 at 11:59 p.m.  The winner will be announced as soon as he/she responds to the congratulatory email.  Good luck to all and thanks for reading TwentiesLife.com.

Get those business plans ready.

Cloudless sunny days, ice cold drinks, beautiful cheery people, tons of memories to be had, and the only time in the year when less is actually more in regards to fashion. Give your suits and sports coats a vacation, let your button-ups breathe, kick off the shoes and socks, and say adios to all the trinkets that adorn your body. Its summer time let the good times roll!

In the midst of all the nonchalance, it is absolutely bewildering to see the ways how we can take an innocent concept, turn it on its side, and cause the most fashion failures when our bodies are allowed to breathe. Due to the constant “surprises” found during the summer season, summer fashion comes with a set of faux pas all their own. Listed below are the most common broken rules that need to be dealt with immediately!

Socks and Sandals

The most commonly violated summer faux pas. One’s feet are typically covered and wrapped up every day of the year, why would we do an injustice to ourselves and bundle them up in warm thick socks? Summer stands for sockless.  Sandals have openings for a reason, if they didn’t they’d be shoes. Get it? Wearing socks and sandal causes heaviness and draws a person’s eyes downward, away from the face. This resulting effect is a shortening and widening the body.

If your feet are not looking their best, fix them. Go to the spa (yes, men go to spa’s) and clean yourself up. There is no excuse to have nasty feet, so stop being lazy. This is a part of grooming, all the seemingly little things add up and make an impression.

Speedos/ Banana hammocks/ tiny shorts

No! No! No! If you are a violator of this rule, there is no forgiveness. There is no reason for a man to be walking anywhere (beach, city, at home, etc.) in any form of short shorts. If you walk around, and hear the Royal Teens “Short Shorts” playing around you, time to look for an alternative.  Look for a pair of board shorts (Not too baggy) that fit properly and end a little above the knee crease.

Cargo Shorts

Oh, the memories of stuffing everything but the kitchen sink into the two billion pockets at your disposal. But let’s keep it that way; a memory. Cargo shorts are great for the school-age kiddos but are black listed for the twenty-somethings. Why, you ask?

Cargo shorts with the huge pockets don’t do any justice to one’s silhouette. It makes the wearer seem big in the hips causing a “squished” appearance. Cargo shorts also make the wearer appear unkempt, leave the cargo shorts for the hiking trips and miscellaneous adventures.

Now-a-days, shorts are cut slimmer and have a wide range of patterns. A great pair of men’s casual shorts should follow an imaginary line straight down from the hips, and the hem should end about an inch form the knee.

Strong Fragrance

A common misconception among men is to wear a strong masculine scent 24/7. On top of the strong scent, taking a bath in it is the next violation that typically follows. Read (The last frontier) for the full breakdown of the when and where certain scents fit in your day-to-day life. A weighty scent on hot days can be sickening to ones that have to endure its pungent odor. One simple request from all of us who have to smell you, please keep it at a 3 spray maximum.

Tank tops

A tank top is meant to worn as an undershirt. That’s it. An undershirt. You’re not at the gym and you’re not a Jersey Shore joke, you’re better than that. Thank your lucky stars. Say no to the tank top as an outer shirt. Want to wear something light? Try a colored T-shirt or a light weight polo that accentuates your good points.

Wrap-Around Sunglasses

If you’re going out for a game of tennis, a round of golf, or the Terminator, then by all means terminate your opponents! On the other hand, if you’re not trampling the naysayers at the sport of your choice and all you want to do is take in the sights and sounds of the locale; buy some styles shades. A pair of sunglasses that perfectly frame your face are just as important as the shirt you buy. Don’t buy a pair that covers your face and makes you seem like a fly. Be patient when shopping for the perfect pair, it might take awhile. Once you find them, the compliments will start flying.

There are plenty of great websites on the internet.  We all know that.  But there are so many more terrible ones that sometimes it’s hard to wade through the garbage to find the gold.  I’ve spent more hours on the internet than any healthy person ever should, and I’ve found a few diamonds in the rough.  I’m going to share some of the best with you, just to help you get started on building your super awesome lifestyle.  If you can’t find what you’re looking for here at TwentiesLife, you’ll definitely find it on one of these!  Enjoy!

Lifehacker – This must be my favorite website of all time.  There is something awesome added almost every single day.  It’s basically an aggregation of all sorts of lifehacks from cooking to computers.  I always find something super useful there, and rarely a day goes by that I don’t find myself checking this site.

Digitizd – I consider myself quite a techie, but if I need to know about something I go to Digitizd.  David Pierce keeps up with all things technology, and he knows his stuff.  Digitizd is a great resource for learning about the newest tech stuff before you go spend your dough.

JCDFitness – I’ve been on a quest to get a six pack for about a year and a half.  I’ve been really dedicated, and I’ve already lost 30 lbs.  I’m getting close!  My knowledge bank for all things fitness and health grows every time I go to JCDFitness.  If you are interested in looking great naked, this is the site for you.

CollegeCandy – This site is great.  It’s pretty estrogen heavy, but the articles are written by people who actually experience the things they write about.  It’s like Cosmo for college students, except better.  For entertainment and some college knowledge, hit up CollegeCandy!

HiLife2B – Into personal development?  If not, you need to get with the program.  HiLife2B is a great place to start.  It’s easy to understand and identify with, and the writer is a college student himself.  He’s wise beyond his years, and you’ll find great inspiration at his fantastic blog.

20SomethingFinance – Your Twenties are a great time to get started with great financial habits.  The habits you form in these years will follow you for the rest of your life, good or bad.  Choose good and educate yourself at 20SomethingFinance.

CollegeFashion – Here’s another site that is mostly for the ladies.  CollegeFashion is a great place to keep up with the most popular trends and see what’s coming next in fashion.  It’s a great site for all of your fashion needs.

PracticalManliness – For men that want to be manlier men.  PracticalManliness is a great site to learn all of the skills and knowledge that men need to be real men!  You’ll definitely want to check this out!

I’m sure there are plenty of other great sites to get what you’re looking for.  These are the ones that I visit most.  What are your favorite websites?  Share a few of your favorites in the comments below and we’ll all check em out!  Thanks!

Whether in college, our careers, or just trying to solve a puzzle, brainpower and critical thinking skills are crucial to every day life.  We require the use of logic and problem solving skills each day for a multitude of tasks.  The sad truth, though, is that many of us have brains that have already begun deteriorating since our days of cramming for exams and pulling all-nighters for finals week.  It doesn’t have to be this way though.  There are plenty of things we can do to “exercise” our brains and increase brainpower.  Train your brain with these techniques and you’ll have a mind as fit as a bodybuilder’s body.

1. Sleep on it:  Sometimes all it takes to really solve a problem is to think about it a bit before going to sleep.  When we sleep our minds aren’t limited by the logic that we use day to day, and the abstract thinking can really help see a different perspective.  Sometimes you just need to sleep on it.
2. Exercise Your Body: Research has shown that people who exercise a minimum of 10 minutes per day have 30% increased brain function.  Get the blood flowing and you brain will help you solve problems.
3. Focus Your Breathing: Oxygen is one of the foods of the brain.  When you focus on taking slow, deep breaths, your brain is flooded with a large amount of oxygen.  This allows it to do it’s best work.  When you have a brain-intensive activity coming up, focus on your breathing before and during to ensure your brain is fed.
4. Sit Up Straight:  Posture has a lot to do with brainpower as well.  Optimum sitting position is to sit up straight, square your shoulders, and keep your head straight above your neck.  Studies have shown this to be a more effective posture than slouching or laying down.
5. Learn Your Cycle:  Our brain works in cycles.  Generally we have about 90 minutes of high brain function and activity followed by a 30 minute lull.  If you can accurately observe the difference, and plan accordingly, you can do your best thinking when your brain is in power mode and do your mundane activities during your brain’s down time.
6. Learn a New Language: Here comes more science.  Research has shown that learning a new language in middle and older age decreases the onset of age-related decline of mental function as well as mental related diseases.  Learn a couple of new words a day and you’ll be well on your way to a good healthy brain in your later years.
7. Write Often:  Not just responding to emails, but writing for yourself.  Write about your day, your thoughts, your feelings, your plans, your goals.  Get comfortable with a pen and paper.  It helps you concentrate your thoughts and helps your brain realize what’s important as far as memory formation goes.
8. Listen To Classical Music: In a study that tested children after studying with and without classical music, the children who studied with the music tested on average 80% higher than the children who studies without it.  Listen to classical music when studying or really working your brain.
9. Caffeine:  Though it’s often a double edged sword, if used right caffeine can be one of the greatest sources of boost for brain power that we have.  Skip it in the morning, so that it’s ready and potent when you need it.  People who drink coffee daily develop a resistance to it’s effects, thus feeling sluggish and requiring more and more as the days go on, while those who keep it in the reserves for only when necessary experience a boost and mental and physical capabilities.
10. Avoid Sugar:  Large amounts of sugar tend to give us a very short rush followed by a long lull.  This is because the sugar is burned as energy, but if not used quickly is then converted to fat as storage.  When the sugar is broken down, insulin is released and blood is used for digestion rather than brain power.  Less blood in the brain means less good thinking.
11. Clear Your Mind:  Practice this often.  Just make the decision to and then execute clearing your mind.  The faster and better you become, the more control you have over your mental function.  People who aren’t good at clearing their mind often find that there is a lot of noise going on in there when they need to really be thinking… practice now and it will serve you well later.
12. Social Interaction:  Many people don’t realize this but social interaction takes a lot of brain power.  We are quickly and constantly thinking about what everyone else around us is saying, interpreting how we feel about it, and considering and executing a response.  Then we observe reactions to other our responses and the whole process restarts itself.  It’s a pretty mentally heavy activity.  The more we do it, the better we get, the more fit our brains become.
13. Define and Prove Your Beliefs:  It’s easy to adopt beliefs that someone else has proved to us.  It sounds good, so we just believe it.  But when we define our beliefs to others and try to prove them, we find that we may not be as eloquent as the person who proved them to us.  If you can get into the habit of being able to eloquently and logically express your beliefs, your mind will flourish.
14. Eat Fish:  Fish is rich in omega fatty acids, the same that fuel the brain and healthy brain function.  Eat more fish.
15. Drink water:  I don’t think  I need to remind you of all the reasons you need water, but you need it.  Try to drink 6 glasses of water a day, then drink more.
16. Solve Puzzles, Riddles, and Games: These are like bench-press and bicep curls for your brain.  Do them often.
17. Eat Smaller Meals:  Smaller meals means less time digesting, which means faster recovery from digestion and more time for higher brain function.  Ever notice how after a big meal you get sleepy and lethargic?  Avoid that like the plague.
18. Take a Multi-vitamin: In America we just don’t eat the way we need to.  Though it’s not a proper replacement for healthy eating, a multi-vitamin will help ensure that you aren’t terribly deficient of any important vitamins and minerals.
19. Manage Stress:  Stress is like poison to a healthy brain.  It decreases our ability to think clearly and properly solve problems.  Learning to manage your stress could be the best way to ensure a healthy brain.
20. Practice Your Math: Even shopping can be a place to practice your math.  For example, what’s 40% off of $80?  If you don’t know, you need to get to action!

Following these steps is only the beginning to building a stronger, faster, healthier brain.  There are many other things you can do as well.  What do you do to ensure that your brain is in tip top shape?