In our survey, we ask the question “What career/business advice would you give your 15-year old self?” and we had some awesome responses.
Reading through the hundreds of answers I noticed common themes cropping up. They were along the lines of ‘believe in yourself’, ‘invest in your education’, ‘don’t listen to doubters’, ‘take risks’, ‘experience life’ and ‘don’t worry so much, it all ends up alright’.
While the business advice was inspiring to read, and most of it still relevant, it was often tinged with regret about opportunities not grabbed and time wasted. Like this wistful wish for lost years: “Listen to your heart and don’t waste 15 years in a career you don’t love”.
Hindsight is a beautiful thing, but it can be like a post-match debrief when the season is over. So, what if you could travel forwards in time a decade or two and give yourself some sage career/business advice from the future?
What do you think an older, wiser version of you might say to today’s you? I’ll go first:
- Hey Peter! Pull your finger out and learn a new skill: What you know now won’t get you to where you want to be. Just do it!
- The world will be even more digital than you think: The new economy is no longer new and coming – it’s here and permanent. Make the effort to keep up with technology, don’t give up and leave it to the next generation.
- Slow down and enjoy the journey: Before you know it your kids will be off backpacking, your mates will have dodgy hips and your business will be unrecognisable. Enjoy it while it lasts, you’ll remember these as golden years.
- Keep it in perspective: You know all that guff you’re worried about today and will worry about for the next decade? You won’t even remember who or what it was all about when you’re my age, so don’t sweat the small stuff.
- Keep being grateful: Life’s not fair, but you’re fortunate to have been dealt a nice hand – make the most of it and don’t take it for granted.
- By the way: It turns out you don’t take up leg spin and make a mature-age charge into the Australian cricket team :(.
I invite you to jump into the Delorian and send yourself some wise words back from the future by adding some business advice. You might just teach yourself, and us, something life-changing.
