Asking what advice you’d give to your younger self is an excellent exercise because it helps you reflect on your life experiences and the lessons you’ve learned. It’s like doing a personal review. You get to recognize your growth, understand your past mistakes, and appreciate the journey you’ve been on. Plus, it can offer insights into what’s truly important to you, which can guide your current and future decisions.
It’s a neat way to connect with your past and future self. You can also share the advice you would give your younger self with others and your children and grandchildren to help them not make the same mistakes you did and show them a better path to follow.
Here is the advice I would give to my younger self:
- Start your own business as soon as possible, focusing on your most passionate interests.
- Start building your online presence as soon as possible. Having a website, social media accounts, YouTube, and an Amazon presence with at least reviews would be best. Share whatever knowledge you have to help others.
- Start building capital as soon as possible through savings and then investing. Look at money as investment and business capital, not just something to be spent.
- Only marry a true life partner in all areas of your life. Don’t settle for less than that.
- Choose to only spend time with the people you want to be like.
- Stay connected to your parents, grandparents, and extended family.
- Make your own family (spouse and children) a top priority above all else.
- Do what you love for a living.
- Design your life so you don’t need a vacation from it. Where you live and what you do for a living are crucial for a happy life.
- Do plan on retiring from working a job, but plan on doing what you love for the rest of your life.
Keep reading as I explain in more detail what I mean by each piece of advice I would give my younger self.
Embrace Entrepreneurship Early: Start Your Own Business
If I could turn back time, I’d tell my younger self to start a business as early as possible. The key is to focus on what you’re passionate about. This isn’t just about making money; it’s about creating something you believe in. Identifying your passion might seem daunting, but it’s about what excites you and what you can spend hours doing without feeling tired.
The first steps in starting a business are crucial – from market research to drafting a business plan. And yes, there will be challenges – financial constraints, doubts, and perhaps a steep learning curve. But these hurdles are stepping stones to building something great. If I had to do it over again, I would have focused on self-employment and tried to avoid ever needing a job.
Build Your Online Presence: Website, Social Media, and Beyond
In today’s digital era, having a solid online presence is non-negotiable. I’d urge my younger self to create a professional website as soon as the web existed, not just as a digital business card but as a platform to share my journey and connect with others.
Social media is a powerful tool, too. It’s about posting regularly and creating meaningful content that engages and inspires your audience. And let’s not forget platforms like YouTube and Amazon.
Whether sharing knowledge through videos or reviewing products, these platforms can significantly amplify your reach. This is the future of media and business, and these platforms have removed the high cost of entry that used to be a barrier.
Financial Wisdom: Saving and Investing for Future Capital
Understanding the value of money is crucial. I’d advise my younger self to start saving and investing as early as possible. Savings aren’t just a safety net but the foundation for future investments. When it comes to investing, it’s about being smart – knowing where to invest, understanding risks, and diversifying your portfolio.
Money should be seen as a means for immediate gratification and a tool for long-term growth and stability. I could have done so much better early on to optimize my finances for both savings and investments. My net worth would be multiples higher than now had I done this.
Choosing a Life Partner: Marry Someone Who Complements You
The choice of a life partner is more significant than we often realize. I’d tell my younger self to look for someone who isn’t just a superficial choice but the total package in life’s journey. This person should complement you, challenge you, and support your dreams.
It’s about finding someone who shares your values and vision for the future. The impact of a supportive partner on both personal and professional life is profound – they can be your biggest cheerleader and a sounding board.
Surround Yourself with Inspirational People
Jim Rohn said you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. I’d remind my younger self to choose these people wisely. Surround yourself with individuals who inspire you, challenge you to improve, and share your aspirations.
This network can be a source of inspiration, advice, and support. Mentorship and peer support are invaluable in your personal and professional growth. Nothing influences your destiny more than those you admire and spend the most time with.
Maintaining Family Ties: The Importance of Connection
Never underestimate the importance of family. I’d emphasize to my younger self the value of staying connected with parents, grandparents, and extended family. These relationships provide a sense of belonging and stability.
Balancing professional and family life is challenging but crucial. Regular visits, calls, or even family reunions can strengthen these bonds. Family is not just an important thing; it’s everything. One of my few regrets in life is I didn’t spend enough time with my grandparents, who raised me before they passed away.
Family First: Making Your Loved Ones a Priority
Putting your immediate family (spouse and children) first is a principle I’d strongly advocate. It’s about prioritizing your loved ones despite a busy schedule. This means being present – both physically and emotionally.
Creating quality family time, whether through shared activities or simple daily rituals, builds a strong family unit. The long-term benefits of a family-oriented life are immeasurable, providing a foundation of love and support. It is the most significant investment you will ever make.
Pursue Your Passion: Making a Living Doing What You Love
“Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day.” This saying holds more truth than we often acknowledge. I’d encourage my younger self to find and pursue his passion. This might involve taking risks and facing fears of failure, but the fulfillment derived from doing what you love is unparalleled. It’s about turning your passion into your profession.
Designing a Fulfilling Life: Living Without the Need for Vacations
Imagine a fulfilling life that you don’t need a vacation from it. I’d advise my younger self to design such a life. This involves living where you love and loving what you do. It’s about balancing work and personal life, where both complement each other.
Your lifestyle choices – where you live, your hobbies, and your work – should contribute to a sense of well-being and happiness. If you look forward to the weekend more than the work week, you are in the wrong career. It is nearly impossible to be successful in something you dislike if your happiness comes primarily from vacations you have built your life backward.
Redefining Retirement: Continuing to Do What You Love
Finally, I’ll talk about redefining retirement. It’s not about stopping work; it’s about continuing to do what you love. Retirement should be seen as a time to enjoy the fruits of your lifelong passions and labors, not just a period of inactivity.
Planning for this phase involves financial preparation and envisioning how you want to spend these years actively and joyfully—people who love what they do never retire.
Key Takeaways
- Embark on Entrepreneurial Ventures Early: Pursue business endeavors rooted in your passions.
- Establish a Robust Digital Footprint: Forge a solid online identity through diverse platforms.
- Master Financial Acumen: Cultivate saving habits and intelligent investing for future prosperity.
- Select a Compatible Life Companion: Choose a partner who aligns with and enhances your life journey.
- Cultivate an Inspiring Social Circle: Surround yourself with motivating and uplifting individuals.
- Preserve Familial Bonds: Prioritize and nurture your relationships with family members.
- Elevate Family as a Central Focus: Place paramount importance on familial connections and time spent together.
- Follow Your Passion in Your Career: Seek out and engage in work that fuels your enthusiasm.
- Craft a Life of Contentment: Strive for a satisfying and balanced lifestyle, eliminating the need for escape.
- Re-envision Retirement: View retirement as continuing to engage in work you love.
Conclusion
The guidance offered to my younger self encapsulates what I believe to be a life well-lived, marked by deliberate choices and meaningful pursuits. It underscores the significance of aligning one’s professional endeavors with personal passions, the value of building and maintaining strong personal and professional relationships, and the importance of financial prudence for long-term security and growth.
This counsel serves as a roadmap to crafting a life that is not only successful by conventional standards but also profoundly fulfilling and enriched with purpose and joy.
The advice to my younger self is about making choices that lead to a fulfilling, balanced, and passionate life. It’s about learning, growing, and making decisions that align with your values and aspirations. Reflect on your journey, cherish your experiences, and always strive to be the best version of yourself.