Contest – What Would You Tell Your 18-Year-Old Self?
Last year I hosted the contest Hindsight is 20/20 and wanted to do similar contest this year, but with a twist.
Imagine you could go back in time and have a conversation with yourself at age 18. Turning 18 is an exciting age – you are finally a legally recognized adult, you can vote and the world is full of possibilities. Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your younger self?
Perhaps you would pass along a few words of wisdom. Maybe there was an opportunity you wish would have taken, or a mistake that you wish you could have avoided. Perhaps you would just pass along some stock tips 
To enter, type your name, email below with your answer to this question:
What would you tell your 18-Year-Old Self?
Feel free to enter as many times as you like with each comment being a different piece of advice.
Winners will be picked based on how concise their answer is, insight gained from the past and quality of the advice.
Prizes:
First Place: A laser pen
Second Place: An Expect Success Book
Third Place: – Freedom Personal Development Water Bottle
All winners will also get a “Be Free” Bumper Sticker and Happy Highlighter.
The deadline for submissions is Thursday, September 30, 2010. Winners will be emailed and announced on our blog Tuesday, October 5.
I can’t wait to read all of your thoughts and comments!
Be Free!
David Shoup
Instructor
Follow your heart!
Believe in yourself!
Figure out why you are here? What is your purpose for living?
Figure out what it is you LOVE to do as young as you can, and then organize your life around figuring out how to make a living doing it. (When you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.)
Study the Masters. Find out who is the Best at what you want to do and ask that person to mentor you.
Study Success. Study successful people.
Consistently invest a minimum of 10% (more if you can) of everything you earn in an IRA or 401k and invest it in a diversified portfolio and LEAVE IT THERE; NEVER TOUCH IT – and you’ll be a millionaire by the time you’re 50.
If you can’t pay cash for something, don’t buy it. (The only exception is your home.) However, get a bi-weekly mortgage or make double principal payments each month.)
Fall in love with your best friend.
Be grateful for everything that happens in your life.
Live by The Optimist’s Creed
Comment by Shea Ellison — September 7, 2010 @ 5:35 pm
I would tell my 18-year old self to ignore the big bad wolf who was yelling and screaming at me and stopped me from trying new things
and learning by experimentation and discovery.
Comment by Lois Lynn — September 9, 2010 @ 11:32 am
Listen to your elders. They do know a thing or two.
Comment by Eve — September 9, 2010 @ 11:57 am
Have more confidence in yourself and try new things.
Failure is acceptable to not ever trying
Comment by Linda — September 9, 2010 @ 11:59 am
Don’t take yourself so seriously. Enjoy your children while they are young. They grow up so fast!
Comment by Susan Bell — September 9, 2010 @ 12:59 pm
I would tell my 18 your old self to not take yourself so seriously. To create a good work life balance. When I am at work be fully present at work and when I am at home be fully present at home. Remember life is a journey….it’s not a race. Think positive thoughts and that is what you will get…prep yourself to have a great day everyday…and always remember to laugh…out loud…and often.
Comment by Ginni Hoinacki — September 9, 2010 @ 1:06 pm
There are four things I would tell myself:
1. Lifelong learning is a necessity of life.
2. Learn how to budget your money.
3. Listen to your elders, they too have a lot to teach.
4. Work hard, have fun, and do great things!
Comment by Virginia Boyd — September 9, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
Focus on what you LOVE to do, do it extremely well, with enthusiasm, and the income will follow. Let the small things go. You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to keep learning from everything and you will get BETTER! Ignore those who don’t believe in you. Surround yourself with high quality people of integrity and success. Learn to love yourself and forgive yourself (and others) often.
Comment by Lee Hauser — September 9, 2010 @ 1:17 pm
I would tell my 18-year old self that the only limitations in life are the ones you set. Never settle because it’s comfortable and the easier road to travel…challenge yourself, meet new people, travel and live life to the fullest because “life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away”.
Comment by Jennifer Tahaney — September 9, 2010 @ 1:19 pm
Don’t pay any attention to the lack of funds for college and lack of enthusiasm within your family. Follow your OWN heart, find a way, attend, graduate and enjoy having an easier time in your career.
Comment by Kathy — September 9, 2010 @ 2:19 pm
Make sure that your birth control is under YOUR control and plan ahead, having the responsibility for children at age 18 is not fair to them or you.
Comment by Kathy Kyriakou — September 9, 2010 @ 3:16 pm
Find the anchor of what you really believe in no matter what and then live by it, no exceptions.
Comment by Kathy Kyriakou — September 9, 2010 @ 3:17 pm
You are not in this world to make others happy and they are not here to make you happy. Each of us is responsible for finding the bottomless internal well of our own happiness. Remember this in all your relationships, take total responsibility for your attitude.
Comment by Kathy Kyriakou — September 9, 2010 @ 3:21 pm
“You’re going to make mistakes, some bigger than others. Become a better person by learning from them and move on.”
Comment by Kris — September 9, 2010 @ 4:01 pm
Listen to your mother!!
Comment by Debbie — September 9, 2010 @ 11:21 pm
At 18 the conversation would be a very short one – I had all the answers to life and wondered how my old man managed to get through life (I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters all younger except one). At 22 the conversation would a short one. Now married with wife, new daughter and another on the way, I lost all of my answers. I asked my father how do you do it? He gave me a quick glance and said – stop over-thinking (worrying) and start doing – just get up in the morning and go get it (work)- it took awhile but soon the ‘what-ifs’ or ‘how do I’ were behind me a blur in my rear-view mirror.
So what would I say to me at 18 pretty much what I would tell myself now – nothing last forever – embrace change and be oh so careful climbing up the ladder of success – those hands your stepping on way up will be the ones your reaching out to on the way down.
Comment by John Misch — September 10, 2010 @ 8:59 am
Seek balance in all that you do. Understand that you are not immune to the physical and spiritual laws that rule our existance. Above all, keep in mind that what you do is not who you are.
Comment by Hal Kemp — September 10, 2010 @ 9:06 am
find a mentor at the highest level you can and listen to him
Comment by Jim Bain — September 12, 2010 @ 9:25 am
Follow your dreams…..Don’t accept failure !…When you fail, get up dust yourself off and try it again and again and as many times as it takes you to succeed….Its not over until you win! “DON’T LET ANYONE TELL YOU WHAT YOU CAN’T DO ! ! ! And, last but not least “Don’t forget to LIVE!”
Comment by Deb — September 13, 2010 @ 1:11 pm
This is easy – 1. Time, everyone has 24 hours, what good will you do with yours. Never say, “I don’t have time right now”. Now is the time. 2. Finish your college education. You may not need it now, but once you have it, no one can take it away. 3. Don’t put off having children because of excuses. No experience dictates more patience, love, honesty, kindness, and respect than parenting your own children. I’d also give myself a book called “Kids are worth it!”. It gave me the tools to use for good parenting. 4. Laugh, laugh again, laugh more. Life is not so serious. The journey is what matters, not the destination.
Comment by Patty — September 29, 2010 @ 11:31 am