Title: What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20
Author: Tina Seelig
Year: 2009 

A personal reflection on courage, creativity, and finding your place in the world

1. Most rules aren’t real

Reading this book made me realize that many of the rules we follow in life are not real. Tina Seelig shared a story that stayed with me. She gave her students five dollars and asked them to earn as much money as they could in two hours. The most successful teams did not even use the money. They looked at the challenge from a new angle. That story made me think about how often we stop ourselves simply because we assume something cannot be done. Sometimes the real barrier is not the world around us but the way we think about it.

2. Failing does not mean you are done

One of the strongest messages from this book is how Seelig views failure. She sees it as part of learning, not as something to be afraid of. Every mistake gives you information about what works and what does not. Before reading this, I used to think failing meant I was not capable enough. Now I see it differently. Failure is feedback. It helps you grow, as long as you are willing to keep going and keep learning.

3. Success has many paths

I never believed that success has only one formula. Studying hard and giving your best are important, but that alone is not everything. This book reminded me that success can come in many forms. Sometimes it happens when you take a chance that others avoid. Seelig’s stories helped me see that we do not need to copy someone else’s path. What matters is staying curious, learning from every step, and being brave enough to build your own direction.

4. Every problem has something to teach

Another thing I learned from this book is that problems are not punishments. They are lessons waiting to be understood. When things go wrong, it is easy to feel stuck or defeated. But Seelig shows that how we respond matters more than what happens. I started to notice that the hardest moments in my life were also the moments that shaped me the most. If we choose to see problems differently, they can become chances to grow stronger.

5. Do something that makes a difference

The last part of the book talks about creating value wherever you are. That message stayed with me even after finishing it. Real success is not only about money or position. It is about making something better for others. It made me reflect on how I spend my time and energy. Instead of asking how far I have gone, I now try to ask how much I have helped. The goal is simple, to leave things better than before and to live with meaning.

Reading What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 reminded me that life is not about waiting for the perfect moment but about making something meaningful out of what we have right now. The book encouraged me to think differently, to stay curious, and to keep learning from every step. It is a gentle reminder that courage, kindness, and creativity can take us further than we imagine when we choose to keep growing every day.

FINISHH!