The older I get, the wiser I become when it comes to business, relationships, parenting, earning money and living a fulfilling life.
I still don’t have all the answers, but there are many things I wish I figured out earlier. Here are six things I would tell my younger self.
1: You can have work-life balance.
I used to obsess over finishing my work before I left for the day. If I wasn’t finished, I kept working until it was complete. This work ethic is a good quality to have as an employee, but it can lead to burnout over time. Work hard during the workday but remember to close the laptop and unplug when the day is over. You need proper time to recharge and step away from your desk so you can take care of yourself and pursue other things — fitness, spending time with friends and family, hobbies — that are important to you.
2: Follow your gut.
Whether it’s in your career or in your personal life, when it feels right, do it!
I have succeeded in my professional life by following my gut. If I pitch a client and I feel confident that I can help them, I pursue them aggressively. If I pitch a client and I don’t jive with them or fully believe in what they’re selling, I pass. I used to take every client on because it was revenue and I wanted the business to grow, but, without fail, the clients who I had an initial bad feeling about became very hard to work with later on.
3: Take care of your body.
When I was younger, I was naturally healthy and full of energy. It wasn’t until I got older that I started to see my energy be depleted and my body looking different. I realized I couldn’t coast by on fast food and little sleep or exercise. Now, I know that what I put in my body matters. I try to eat healthy, limit alcohol consumption and drink lots of water. These habits have caused my skin to look better, my mind to be sharper and my body to be strong. Sleep is also a huge priority — your body and mind need to rest more the older you get. Start taking care of yourself now so you don’t have to make up for years of bad habits later. If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.
4: Eliminate things and people that cause you stress.
Maybe you have a cranky client, a negative employee or a friend who takes more than they give year after year. The older you get, the more you realize you don’t have to have these things in your life. I have fired many clients who ended up not being a good fit. Sure, the money was good, but the stress they caused my team wasn’t worth it. The same principle goes for negative employees or friends who always complain or bring your energy down. You become the five people you hang around the most, so choose wisely. Remember, by eliminating stressful things in your life, you’ll create more space for positive people and experience.
5: Operate in your genius.
If you only do the things you’re great at, your life will be much more fulfilling. Get to a place in your business and life where you can work in your genius state and excel. When you can hire an additional employee or delegate certain tasks in areas that you’re not skilled in, you will have the freedom to take on the things that you’re actually good at and are passionate about.
6: You have not arrived.
Keep learning and achieving because there is no end destination. It’s never too late to improve your life and working toward something better for yourself. Keep trying new things and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Whether you’re learning the latest digital marketing platform or a new yoga move, if you’re always seeking greatness, your life will keep getting better.
