3 things I wished I knew when I was younger
But I probably would have ignored.
If only I had known then what I know now. We’ve all said it at one point or another in our lives. Just think about how different your life would be now if you had the knowledge and wisdom that you do now when you were just starting out. It’s a thought that is both sobering and empowering at the same time. Here are three things that I wish I knew when I was younger.
1) You will make mistakes — and that’s okay!
One of the biggest things that I wished I knew when I was younger is that everyone makes mistakes. It sounds so simple, but it’s something that we all need to be reminded of from time to time. When we’re young, we tend to see mistakes as these huge roadblocks that are preventing us from achieving our goals and dreams. But the truth is, everyone makes mistakes. What separates successful people from unsuccessful people is not whether they make mistakes, but how they handle those mistakes. Do they let them get in the way of their goals or do they learn from them and keep moving forward? The ability to learn from our mistakes is what allows us to grow and become successful in whatever it is we choose to do in life.
When I say mistakes, you wouldn’t believe the mistakes I’ve made, the circumstances I created and the places I ended up — but I’m stronger because of them. -James
2) Pursue your passions — and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t!
The second thing I wish I knew when I was younger is to never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. If there’s something you’re passionate about, go for it! Don’t let anyone else’s opinion of you get in the way of your dreams and goals. Of course, there will be people who will try to bring you down and tell you that you’re not good enough or that your dream is impossible. But don’t listen to them! Pursue your passions with everything you have and don’t give up on yourself. Remember, the only person whose opinion matters is yours!
Radio DJ, Entrepreneur, Criminal Justice, Dietician — All passions I pursued, while they served me. Luckily skills can be stacked and I am grateful for each avenue I explored and every detour I made. -James
3) Be patient — good things come to those who wait!
Last but not least, the third thing I wish I had known when I was younger is to be patient. So often, we want things to happen immediately and we get discouraged when they don’t. But the truth is, good things come to those who wait. If you’re pursuing your passions and working hard towards your goals, eventually all of your hard work will pay off. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
So there you have it — three things I wish I knew when I was younger. Of course, there are many other things that I could have included on this list but these are three of the most important ones. If you’re currently facing some challenges in your life, remember these three things and don’t give up on yourself! You’ve got this!
