Continuing the conversation with my younger self…
Current Me: Hey, you’re gonna struggle with something that will absolutely keep you stuck in neutral and pile up the regrets.
Young Me: Really?
Current Me: Yup. You’re gonna find excuses not to start some things and, ironically, not finish other things. In fact, you’ll have more trouble finishing than starting. And you’re gonna do it a lot.
Young Me: What do you mean?
Current Me: Well, you’ll have this terrible feeling that whatever you are doing isn’t good enough. This will infiltrate your entire life. And you’ll sight your lack of external success as proof that it’s true. I’m even doing it now as I write this.
Young Me: Will I be afraid to fail or make mistakes?
Current Me: Not exactly. You’ll understand that failure is a necessary path to success, and you’ll get better at that over time.
Young Me: Then what will be the problem?
Current Me: You’ll think that whatever you’re doing isn’t good enough. Which will actually be, “I’m not good enough.”
Young Me: Can I fix it? Can I stop it somehow?
Current Me: Say “yes” to more. Put yourself out there. Finish it anyway. Get around people who are doing it. Don’t give in to those feelings.
And most importantly, embrace the journey, not the endpoint.
