Recently, Mert, the CEO of Helius Labs, a key player in Solana's ecosystem providing RPCs, APIs, and trading infrastructure, shared a reflective thread on X as he celebrated his 30th birthday. Known for his work in blockchain and formerly at Coinbase, Mert's post isn't just personal—it's packed with wisdom that resonates deeply with anyone navigating the fast-paced world of crypto and meme tokens. For those building in blockchain, where innovation moves at lightning speed, these lessons can help you level up your mindset and career.

Mert kicks off by noting he's turning 30 (and humorously mentions going bald at 25), then dives into 12 key learnings from his 20s. These are aimed at younger folks who aren't "uncs" yet—a fun slang term for older, out-of-touch people in crypto circles. Let's break them down, with some thoughts on how they apply to the blockchain space.

1. Age Isn't a Stand-In for Knowledge

Mert points out that especially in Eastern cultures, older people are seen as wiser by default. But in reality, many "adults" are just as clueless, only with more arrogance masked as confidence. In crypto, this is huge—don't blindly follow boomer advice or OG investors just because they've been around longer. Question everything, whether it's a DeFi protocol or a new meme token launch. True expertise comes from experience and critical thinking, not years.

2. Embrace More Risks

Everyone says to take risks when you're young and unburdened, but few do. Mert suggests flipping the script: focus on what could go right instead of wrong. In the meme token world, this means jumping into that early presale or starting your own project. Blockchain is all about high-reward opportunities, like apeing into Solana memes during a bull run. Just remember, calculated risks beat reckless ones.

3. Act First, Fix Later

Default to action—you've got time and energy to correct mistakes. Unless it lands you in jail or harms your health, most errors aren't life-ruining. For blockchain practitioners, this translates to launching that MVP (minimum viable product) or experimenting with new tech like MEV (miner extractable value) strategies. The crypto space rewards speed; iterate fast and learn from failures.

4. Your Location Impacts Your Trade-Offs

You're essentially trading with your government: they take taxes, you get services like safety and infrastructure. If you're paying 60% in taxes for subpar healthcare (shoutout to Canada), reconsider. In crypto, this ties into regulatory environments—move to crypto-friendly spots like Dubai or Singapore for better tax treatment on gains from meme trading or NFT flips. Optimize your setup for success.

5. Master Communication Skills

No matter your role, getting good at writing, speaking, and listening boosts your potential. In blockchain, this is essential for pitching ideas, writing whitepapers, or engaging communities on Discord and X. Clear communication can turn a simple meme token into a viral sensation or secure funding for your startup.

6. Start with the End Goal and Backtrack

If you're lost, envision your desired outcome and work backward, then adjust. For aspiring crypto entrepreneurs, define your endgame—maybe building the next big Solana dApp or retiring off meme gains—and map the steps. Course-correct as the market shifts, like pivoting from NFTs to AI tokens.

7. Dive into Startups

Start or join one. The blockchain world thrives on startups, from Helius-like infra providers to meme token launchpads. It's where innovation happens, and the skills you gain are invaluable.

8. Read These Books

Mert recommends The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch for optimistic rationalism and Skin in the Game by Nassim Taleb for understanding risk and accountability. These are must-reads for crypto folks—Taleb's ideas on asymmetry apply directly to trading volatile assets like meme coins.

9. Create More Than You Consume

Aim to contribute everything you can to civilization before you go. In meme culture, this means creating original content, tools, or tokens rather than just scrolling feeds. Build bots, write analyses, or launch communities—add value to the ecosystem.

10. Be Authentically You

In an era of fake online personas, authenticity attracts like-minded people. Crypto Twitter (now X) is full of pseudos, but being real helps you network with genuine builders in Solana or beyond.

11. Question Your Path

Regularly check if your choices stem from your own thinking or societal norms. In blockchain, don't chase hype just because everyone is; reason independently, whether it's investing in a new chain or adopting Web3 trends.

12. All Advice Is Personal

Mert wraps up by noting that lists like this are path-dependent—think for yourself. Great reminder: tailor these to your crypto journey, but always prioritize independent thought.

Mert's thread is a goldmine for anyone in blockchain, reminding us that personal growth fuels professional success. Whether you're grinding on Solana memes or building infra, these insights can help you navigate your 20s (or beyond) with more intention. Check out the original thread on X for the full vibe, and follow Mert for more on Solana's cutting-edge developments. What's one lesson that hits home for you? Share in the comments!