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The Defining Decade

Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now

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The Defining Decade

By: Meg Jay
Narrated by: Meg Jay
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About this listen

Contemporary culture tells us the twentysomething years don't matter. Clinical psychologist Dr Meg Jay argues that this could not be further from the truth. In fact, your 20s are the most defining decade of adulthood.

The Defining Decade weaves the latest science of the twentysomething years with real-life stories to show us how work, relationships, personality, social networks, identity and even the brain can change more during this decade than at any other time in adulthood.

Smart, compassionate and constructive, The Defining Decade is a practical guide to making the most of the years we cannot afford to miss.

©2016 Meg Jay (P)2012 Hachette Audio Career Success Motivation & Self-Improvement Personal Development Personal Success Career Inspiring

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I love this book, I love the narrator and I love what it's about, I love the short stories about each of her patient, but I don't follow what its preaching. This book feels like being slapped with a truth bomb, it make sense to me, I know I need to stop drifting and claim my life, but I don't do it. Yet I still love the idea behind what Meg is talking about, it pushes me to make minor steps. It's definitely a book that should be read by all 20 somethings, these years matter, even through were thought that we have plenty of time to figure it out and can just keep on doing the meaningless stuff we do.

The Defining decade

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One of the most important books for young people, the ways it widens your scope and become more informed about life, the only negatives being it could of been longer and perhaps more reference to those not living traditional lives such as young business owners as it was very career oriented.

Important

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A must read, it has filled me with confidence in the path that I am taking and being intentional and not to get caught up that everybody else seems to be having a carefree time. I would recommend this to any 20 something who is just feeling a bit stuck. I feel this book has put my life back on track. Thank You.

I’m so glad to be hearing this now at 20 than having to find it out at 30

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Some of the recent reviews almost made me not read the book but the book was very good. I can see why some who have reached 25+ might not like it but as a 22 year old who got her degree and waited for something to push me in any direction, this did. It teaches you that you make life. It’s not like your teenage years where you can sail through and it all works out in the end because at the end of the day you had parents and or friends guiding you. From 20 you quickly learn that no one is going to teach you to be an adult, no one is gonna force you to make the best choice and if you don’t get up and do it then it won’t be done. For 2 years I wondered why I hated my life and why my life wasn’t changing for the better and this book taught me that the problem was me. I was still looking at myself like a kid but I’m in my twenties. If I don’t get up and do something then nothing will change. With time I probably would have learned to me more intentional but it’s nice to get that reality check right now since it definitely didn’t come to me straight after graduating. This book is for the young adults who have to be reminded that there adults despite how young they feel. They need to make life changing decisions in this decade and it can’t be avoided. If you were lost, depressed or confused then you should read this book because so much can change even before you turn 25 and everything is applicable to you despite where you live. I live in Ireland and there was not one thing mentioned that doesn’t apply to me. If you have access to this book then everything applies to you. If you’re 25+ please be open minded reading this book, a lot of what’s gathered really opens the eyes of a person who just hit their twenties. Anyways it had been 10 years since I last read a book this definitely eased me back in!!! (12/03/2023).

I’m 22 and I had no direction!

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Loved hearing all the different problems 20 smths face, being 20 years old this book has empowered me to take my life more seriously at the start of my journey so I am forever indebted to Meg Jay, thank you so much for the insight.

How I reacted to this book!

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so many relatable points. And puts a lot into perspective. I definitely recommend everyone give this a read/ listen.

A must read if you're in your 20's!!

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loved it! most likely will listen again!! too many jewels in here, it also made me rethink about what I want in this decade and how I need to also start choosing guys that are right for me. it's Okey to be picky at times but most importantly it's all about improving one's self.

I just turned 20 and I'm so glad I found this book

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One of those books where I feel like contacting the author and thanking them. I'm 25, half way through my defining decade - and although I'm not behind I'm definitely not ahead. This book has given me a lot to think about and I would recommend it to anyone, I wish I'd listed to it as a teen

amazing

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It's a very interesting view of life that I'm glad I've been able to find at 26. Just finished listening for the second time. The writer outlines the importance of owning your own life but in a way that in of itself creates a sense of self efficacy. I don't feel stressed about what she's shown me I'm not doing but hopeful that I now know why I want to do the things that I'm missing out on.

Eye opening

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Being 28, I wish I had read this book sooner. There are some amazing nuggets of gold in this that would have shaped my life a little differently if I had read this 5 years ago. But still, super helpful to read.

It’s a great mixture of research, Meg’s knowledge as a psychologist and stories of real people. It helps to connect the facts with reality and make it relatable to your own life.

I’ll definitely be recommending it to anyone in their 20’s!

I wish I had read this sooner!

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