Defeatism
When I think back over the years, graduating high school, graduating college, working at CPA firms and now a startup, I have a feeling of regret. I wish 26 year old me could go back to 16 year old me and say “Fuck the system, go build your dream tomorrow.” But that’s the defeatist approach.
My Approach
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb
Yes, it would be great to have a time machine, teach my 16 year-old self the basics of starting a business/entrepreneurship, and watch myself grow into the person I’m starting to become now. Since time machines haven’t been invented I am choosing the second best option: Now. We can only change ourselves from today on. Whatever you did yesterday, last month, four years ago has no impact on you becoming a better version of yourself today. If you truly want to be free and live life to the fullest you have to actively change yourself. Not your past self, but today’s self.
My approach to changing my today’s self has a lot to do with learning me. What makes me tick? What makes me happy? When I feel angry, why? Am I doing stuff I hate? These questions aren’t something my past self thought about. And they’re not a burden for my future self to tackle. They are the quest for my present self. If I’m happy I try to reflect on my happiness and put myself in that situation more often. If I’m angry I try to think about why, take a couple deep breaths, and work on a happy resolution. And if I’m doing something I hate, I actively try to find the best way out. These are all things that can be done today and are not tied to the person you were but the person you want to become.
Be a Gardener Today
Don’t become a square peg for the square hole. That would be a shame. Become a shape that doesn’t fit any cookie cutter (a bonsai tree, perhaps!). We should be creating our own path forward and not be afraid to step beyond our comfort level. And it starts with now. Don’t put it off until you think you’re ready. Do it today. Start transforming yourself into the person you want to become, and you’ll look back to your past-self seeing your growth each day. Become a gardener and plant your wildest dreams right now.