My dad once remarked that I was as “focused as a laser” when I was around 17. And he commented on how remarkable it was for someone at that age to be like that…
- I was excelling in school.
- I was in a serious relationship with an amazing girl.
- I was three years into a job I loved and knew I wanted to make into a career.
- I was competing at high level martial arts tournaments—and succeeding.
- I had an incredible group of friends who knew how to have a good time.
- And I had the most supportive and loving family throughout.
In hindsight, when I think back to this time and everything that would soon unfold over the next several years, I would probably tell myself to relax that laser a little and enjoy being a 17-year-old more.
…Because while being focused like a laser is a gift, so is wandering, exploring, and spending time experimenting while life is simpler and you’re living on somebody else’s dime.
Do I regret living how I did at 17? No. I know it’s precisely what made me into who I am today and I know that if I changed myself back then, the butterfly effect would probably have me in an upside down life that I actually did regret.
But, what’s important to remember is that my 17-year-old self is still inside me somewhere. As is every other version of who I’ve been in the past. And inner work conversations like this, with them, is precisely how my today self grows into the evolved version of that 17 year old…
…So I can live with that hindsight wisdom—today.