Projected to have $240.23 in dividends this year, I’m 21

I understand I’m still young and 240 isn’t a lot, but how did you guys first start off? When I first started, I’d only buy individual companies that would have “exponential growth” but I like to think I’ve changed a bit now. Everyone around me says it’s long term and it’s starting to show slowly I’d say. I’m glad I never stopped