.

“Charge It” by Aaron

       Chapter Thirteen. Shift Happens

       “Divorce — Take Two” by Heather

       “This Too Shall Pass” by Jenna

       “Everything Happens for a Reason” by Kim

       “I’ve Done More Than Survive — I’ve Started to Thrive” by Denelle

       “Dance Naked” by Tamara

       Afterword: Share Your Twenty-Something Story

       Acknowledgments

       List of Contributors

       Index

       About the Author

       EXERCISES

       Part One

       Get Inspired

       What’s Your Twenty?

       Clarifying Goals

       Expectation Implants

       Commitment Contract

       Expectation Hangover Treatment and Prevention Plan

       Part Two

       Grat-I-tude

       Qual-YOU-ty Time

       I Am Who I Am!

       The Self-Awareness Continuum Counselor

       Part Three

       Smart-Slacking Game Plan

       The Right-Answer Reflex Game

       Past-Performance Review

       Do-It-Yourself Personality Tests

       Part Four

       Identifying Toxic Relationships

       Identifying Triggers and Corner Pieces

       Finding Your Keys

       Graduating from Singlehood

       Manifest Your Soul Match

       Relationship 101

       “I Hate My Job” Survival Kit

       Mission Vision Overview

       Quarter Plan Overview

       Part Five

       The Acceptance Process

       Walking in a Bully’s Shoes

       Give Your Label a Name

       Throw a Money Party

       Create a Vision Board

       PREFACE

      If you are looking for a book that gives you all the answers to make your twenty-something woes disappear, this is not it. If you are looking for someone else to tell you what decisions to make about your life, I’m not that person. If you want to read stories that talk about material achievements, this is not the manifesto you want. And if you are looking for a motivational book that is simply going to tell you things like, “Follow your dreams and anything is possible,” or “You are in the prime of your life and it is supposed to be great” — sorry. However, if you are looking for a book full of real stories of personal struggles and successes, this is your manifesto. If you want to learn how to find your own answers, I’ll share with you how that is possible. And if you are ready to look beyond inspirational anecdotes and take a hard look at yourself so that you are empowered and inspired, then you picked up the right book.

      How many times have you been told to “simply follow your passion, and money, love, and success will follow?” I’ve read my fair share of motivational books and went to many seminars in my twenties looking for the key to getting out of my own quarter-life crisis. They would leave me inspired for about a week and then I’d fade right back into my funk. So this book really isn’t about getting you pumped up or solving all your problems — you have to do more than just read a book for that. It’s about inspiring you to accept where you are and take action to move forward to where you want to be. This manifesto is about supporting you as you navigate through the questions of what I call the “Twenties Triangle”: Who am I? What do I want? How do I get it?

      The twenty-something years are a confusing, scary, frustrating and exciting, stimulating, and transformational time. Unfortunately, a high school or college diploma does not come with instructions for the “real world.” You have to believe in and truly get to know yourself in order to have clarity about your dreams and goals as well as insights about how to reach them. But that is no easy task, especially in a society that is so externally focused and driven by expectations.

      Somehow this decade has gotten the reputation for being a time when you are supposed to figure out your entire life while having the time of your life. My purpose in writing this manifesto is to change this