- The Optimalist
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- Advice for myself 10 years ago
I’m 32.
10 years ago, I was 22 (do the math, it checks out).
Here’s what I was doing at 22:
Graduating college with an Electrical Engineering degree.
Working with my Dad on his home security and automation business.
Getting ready to start working at a DuPont chemical plant as a Control Systems Engineer.
Being a dad to my 3 year old daughter.
Selling the trailer that I bought while in college and buying my first house.
Lot of stuff going on.
I didn’t really know what I wanted to do in life.
But I had a direction (engineering) and went all in.
Life has changed a lot in the last 10 years.
Here’s what has changed:
Went back to college and got my MBA.
My Dad died and I took over his business on the side. Eventually sold it.
Worked my way into a business development/operations leadership career.
Started ghostwriting for CEOs and doing full stack marketing for small businesses.
Became a dad 2 more times.
Moved to Charleston, SC and then back to WV eventually.
Again, lots of changes.
But, in the past 10 years, I have become more aligned with my true self and I’m doing the type of work that gives me energy, with the people that I resonate with.
And I could have gotten there quicker.
How?
By traveling back in time and giving myself the advice from all the experiences I have now, of course!
Now, obviously, I can’t do that.
But I can do the next best thing and give that advice to y’all. And maybe it’ll help someone jump over some obstacles and start living a more aligned life.
Without further ado, here’s my advice from 10 years of searching for the optimal path:
Don't be afraid to look like an idiot when doing something new. Pride can get in the way of the right path. Don’t let it. Nobody starts out doing something perfectly. It just takes reps.
You don’t need more information. Reality is that you have all the information you ever need. You just have to shut up, start paying attention to the right inputs, and apply what you learn.
Work harder on cultivating a network. I used to worry that I hadn’t done enough to even talk to high-value people. But the truth is, if you just start reaching out and providing value to these people without asking for anything in return, some will take time for you.
If you can’t do it forever, don’t do it for a day. Life is an energy game. Working on stuff that you don’t have energy for will compound and drain your creativity from more worthy projects.
Start writing every day. Full stop. This has changed my life and improved my thinking ability.
Stop being so nice. Say no to people and opportunities that will drain your energy. People are inherently selfish. That’s fine. Just realize that if you don’t look out for yourself, no one else will.
Start meditating. You’ll live longer and learn not to sweat the small stuff.
Start hitting the weights. Fitness from lifting weights, running, or sweating it out in a sauna has massive leverage. You’ll wish you started now and not a year from now.
You are only going to get rich by owning something. Not by renting your time out to your 9-5. Start a business that you’ll stick with for 10 years and not 6 months before pivoting.
Be willing to negotiate everything except your values. Most things are negotiable. Don’t take everything at face value. Develop an Ethos and stick to it. But negotiate literally everything else.
And that’s it!
If any of this resonated, let me know!
Swanagan
P.S., if you want to learn how to send emails like this, check out my Email for Creators ultimate guide here.