Advice I'd Give the 22 Year Old Me ....
Looking back over a 40 year career, what advice would the 62 year old me give the 22 year old me? Ironically, it would start with "spend less time looking in the rear view mirror, it makes your regrets appear larger than they are" Next ……
Live frugally. You don't really need what you think you need. Your relationships and your network of family and friends is where you need to make the biggest investments.
You'll find that success is defined by the journey and not the destination. Success isn't defined by a job title, a corner office or a bank account. It's defined by the experiences, the impact you had on other's lives, and impressions you made along the way.
Your career is going to require a lot more courage and a lot less ego. Leadership and life aren't popularity contests, there are going to be some difficult decisions ahead. Approach those decisions with courage and worry less about how you are perceived and your ego feed.
Take chances. The most painful reflections you'll have when you are 62 years old will start with "I wish I would have …." or "I didn't ….." Go get fired at least once. What you will learn when you bounce back will make you battle-hardened, timeless, unstoppable.
Embrace the suck. Life is messy. The higher the hurdles and the bigger the challenges, the greater the rewards. Running a marathon or triathlon is painful, it sucks, but have you seen that smile of accomplishment on the face of those wearing the finisher's medal around their neck. They'll all say it was worth it.
Finally, and the most important advice for the 22 year old me ….. be kind, always. As I look back, my biggest regrets are the opportunities I missed to be kind to someone who needed a smile, a handshake, a compliment, or just a hug. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind.
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