Quarter of a Century

25 years on... who would have said... time goes by so quickly, really… But giving it some thought I think I am lucky to be able to say that I have lived an intense life filled with innumerous experiences, mostly very much positive, without a doubt!

I have lived in 5 different countries. I have traveled to more than 20.

My first job I took it 10 years ago. I have worked seriously for the last 3, with 3 distinctive experiences.

I have a group of brothers in Portugal. Have a group of brothers/cousins in the UK, and a lot of fantastic and sincere friends all across the world.

I get along great with my parents, my family loves me. I love them.

I have had a lot of girl(friend)s, and a very special one.

As each day goes by, I still am the same person, just wiser and more oriented.

I am still a kid inside, a kid that comes out occasionally or more often than that, very bohemian, sociable and mainly a ‘bon vivant’.

But at the same time I wonder, like most people who hit that age group, what have I achieved? How far have I gone? Did I reach any objectives, or did I really have any?

It was interesting to discuss this matter with my very good friends Henry and Stav, at different moments.

As I see it, from 20 to 25 years of age, you should truly create a steady, complete and wide base that will help you make the most of the next 5 years to come, until you’re 30.

That is, in that period of time, you’re at university, you get out of university, you discover who you are and how you act, you get into the professional world, you get your first real job and you get to know your best skills, both human and technical.
Once you know what you are most performing at, you try to define what your really want.

It is a time where you test things, and things test you. You’re the researcher but are also the lab rat. And the key is in learning from your experiences, both the good and the bad ones.

A lot of people are disappointed because they thought they would have attained a lot of things, like for instance make their first million, by the time they were 25. Some even have managed it, but then it takes them ages to make their 2^nd million.

I think that is because they didn’t have a solid enough background that would give them the support they needed.

So why rush? Why be greedy and want everything? Obviously, it’s good to be ambitious, but it’s bad to be overambitious. Take your time and make sure you do things right.

You might make your 1^st million when you’re only 26 but I’m pretty sure that if you’re well-balanced enough you’ll make your 2^nd one in no time.

25-30, that is a much more important period in my belief. Then, you should really set yourself some goals. Somewhat concrete and well-defined, but make sure you’re flexible about them (it does matter!). Be more responsible and more serious. Don’t forget who you are though.

Nonetheless, to achieve these targets, you need that solid and structured base, you need that firm foundation which made you stronger and now helps you keep your cool each step you take. You need it in order for these 5 years to be the most rewarding and fruitful ever, since they are, as I see it, the confirmation years (of our potential?).

I have come up with 2 aims for the next 5 years. However, I am not pressuring myself to accomplish them by all means within that time slot. You essentially need something to guide you through your life…

One will be the reflection of stability: the combination of a good and interesting job, full of prospects, from which I learn a great deal; with a steady, happy and fulfilling relationship, love engulfing the feeling of time going by…

Those are two factors that will reassure me that the following 5 years will be even better.

The 2^nd one is the reward on the experience I have had, what I have lived, what I went through and all the hard work I had to lead. The image of my objectives, as if it were a landmark.

To find out what they are call 1 – 800 – WISHFUL – THINKING!!

I will not get into more details; we will see how things flow.

And now I will go and enjoy this moment, since it’s not everyday that you celebrate a quarter of a century in Madrid, Milan, London, L.A. and Lisbon!