What would you tell your younger self?

In times when we all need to make some life-changing decisions, always remember that you would tell your younger self that everything will be okay. So your older self in the future will look back at you right now and say relax everything is okay right now; thank you for being brave enough to do it. 

Your younger self should know how to let go of things that don't deserve you or things that you cannot change; embrace the beliefs that strengthen you and motivate you to go after the things that you want. 

Have you ever had those beliefs about yourself that prevent you from speaking up, setting boundaries, or taking well care of yourself?

I know some beliefs make you act in a way that is not serving you, but what you can recognize is how you feel. How do you feel? And what can you tell your younger self during those moments?

A few weeks ago, I read the letter to my younger self from Pete Sampras, one of the greatest tennis players ever. 

He outlines details of what he learned the hard way from:

• Warning his 16-year-old self about the dark side of fame
• Remembering the number of matches, he lost by refusing to try new techniques

These are some hard-fought insights that only come from within. 

What yours?

Maybe it is that skill you spend several hours trying to master?

Earlier in my career, I was deeply afraid of failure. I wanted to exceed every expectation and was simultaneously resistant to the feedback on how to be better. 

Looking back, I can attest that I was experiencing something called impostor syndrome; worrying about what others would think about me, trying so hard to be seen and prove that I can do anything. Given a chance, I would tell my younger self to never take into consideration what others think about me; and that I do not always have to prove myself and my worth. 

I came to realize that I am not perfect and there is no such thing as perfect. What I understand now is that perfectionism is a mask for vulnerability.

I also came to the realization that;

“We are more than our outcomes. The journey matters and we should celebrate our progress”. 

What would you tell your younger self today? That everything will be okay and you just need to take one step at a time? Think about it.