What advice would you give to your 15 year old self?

33 replies
When I was a teenager I thought I knew it all!!


I was confident (arrogant?), brave (stupid?) and never thought for a second that I wasn't going to get my way in life.


Now I'm (much) older, I'm a lot more calm and I know that the art of gentle persuasion holds so much more weight than being bolshy and forceful.


As a forty-something year old with a whole lot of good and bad experiences under my belt there are a few things I'd tell my 15 year old self so I thought I'd share them with you.


1) Rome wasn't built in a day.
I was always quite impatient wanting everything there and then. As I've gotten older I can clearly see that some of the best results take weeks or even months to come to fruition. While always having the end goal in mind, I focus on making the steps as productive as possible and learning and growing from each one rather than just rushing straight to the finish line.


2) The bad times will always, ALWAYS come good.
I remember something going quite badly wrong in one of my first jobs when I was 18 and I didn't know what the hell to do! Rather than face up to it, I tried to hide it which is never going to work and by the time it was discovered it was so much worse than if I'd have just been honest in the first place. That was a difficult time for me as it was one of the first times I'd really let a situation get on top of me. Since then, there have been hundreds of situations where things have gone wrong but experience has taught me that your ride the storm and things will come good again eventually.


3) Stay true to yourself.
While I had a strong personality I often used to do things for attention or to get a laugh or quite often, just because other people were. There is no way now I'd do anything that wasn't true to me. I have successful businesses but I haven't' got where I am today by following the crowd that's for sure. Learn from each other, feed from each other but ALWAYS follow your own gut.


4) Not everyone knows what they're doing.
A lot of people can talk the talk but when it comes to walking the walk people disappear off into the shadows. I used to be really impressed with people's conversation and jargon but, and only really recently, I've become very aware that a lot of people just can't back up their chit chat. Actions speak much louder than words now and I rarely put my confidence in someone (particularly in a business capacity) unless they can prove they know what they're doing!


With the benefit of your experience now, what would you tell YOUR 15-year-old self?
#advice #give #year
  • Profile picture of the author Odahh
    get a passport when your 18 and take vacations in foreign countries ..every few years

    live in another country for a month .. live where the locals are really poor .. and you get out of the mentality oh letting the thing you don't have make you miserable
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10904004].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author mattsuth
      Originally Posted by Odahh View Post

      get a passport when your 18 and take vacations in foreign countries ..every few years

      live in another country for a month .. live where the locals are really poor .. and you get out of the mentality oh letting the thing you don't have make you miserable


      Thanks for the reminder Odahh, travel is a great one.
      I think that people are a product of their environment so it's really important to see how other cultures live and to know that there's more than one way to live a life.
      Thanks for your comment.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10904438].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author petekremer
    I would tell my 15 year old self your 4 points, as well as:

    1) Be nice and honest to people. Customers/clients appreciate an honest answer even it is not what they wanted to hear.

    2) Listen. Really listen.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10904264].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author debburns47
    Great Question
    I would tell my fifteen-year-old self that she's:-
    -amazing
    -beautiful
    -full of possibilities
    -not to settle
    -there's plenty of time
    ....and to find herself before finding anyone else.

    Thanks for asking
    Deb
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10904346].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    What advice would you give to your 15 year old self?

    • Those aren't vitamins.
    • Step away from the Mad Dog.
    • Those aren't your car keys.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10904448].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author alextrevayne
    I would tell my 15 year old self to go ahead and make those mistakes, to not be afraid of making them.
    Signature
    7 Characteristics Of Successful Entrepreneurs
    CLICK HERE TO GET ACCESS TO FREE REPORT
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10904450].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Inspir8tion
    I would tell my 15 year old self to:
    It is okay:
    It is okay to try, it is okay if no one is doing what you're doing, it is okay to be different.

    Focus :
    Focus on learning and appreciating the resources afforded to me.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10910804].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author laraku
    I would advice my 15 year old self that pimples, opinion of others, memorizing vs. understanding stuff in school, wearing the latest in fashion & gadgets will not matter so much in the long-run and that adults/teachers can also be wrong. Even your parents won't really know you so you have to pay attention to who you really are and focus on knowing what where your real talent lies. This will help you make a better career decision and whether you would really be happy with what you are going to be doing and who you are going to be.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10911100].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Reimaru
    What would I tell my 15 year old self? I might not say anything aside from "You're a Carry Hero!"
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10911324].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Arturo092
    Don't take the school and grades so seriously - instead of learning all the time try to meet people, find new hobbies/things you are interested in, gain new skills (like HTML, Wordpress) and develop them, try starting your own small projects.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10920418].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author gingerninjas
    If I was to give my 15 year old self advice, it would probably be:

    - Don't sweat the small stuff - stressing about little things will not get you anywhere

    - Travel far and wide and for a long time, the big bad world will be here when you get back

    - Don't be influenced by what your friends, family or teachers think you should do for a career - and furthermore don't choose a career path because everyone else is doing. Figure out what YOU really like, what you're really good at and pin point your career path.

    - Things change - there is beauty in change

    - You ideas won't always work - failure is good

    - Train yourself to use money wisely and understand how to save

    - When an opportunity knocks, take it
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10920864].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author mattsuth
      Originally Posted by gingerninjas View Post


      - Things change - there is beauty in change
      Learning how to adapt to change is great advice for a teenager. You are so used to the family unit being there to tell you what to do that it can be quite frightening going off into the big wide world without the experience that nothing remains the same.


      As I've grown older I've learnt to embrace change and focus on the positives that it brings, but this wasn't always the case.


      "When life is tough, don't worry; it won't last. When life is good, enjoy it; it won't last"
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10921027].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author cjsparacino123
    i would tell my 15 year old self to remember hes the lion among the sheep. To go start talking to people it'll loosen you up, then when the opportunity of a girl approaches you'll know exactly what to do.

    Read, go to bed a little wiser each night

    and GET THE **** OUT OF THAT RELATIONSHiP
    Signature

    Grab a Free copy of my investing/marketing eBook!
    http://bit.ly/2h8XV41

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10921088].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Blue Horizons
    I would advise myself to:

    -Not care about what others think about you
    -Believe in yourself
    -Take risks and don't be afraid to fail
    -Control your thoughts and you will control your life
    -Find your passion and go for it!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10921236].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Randy McLean
    1. Choose your friends wisely - big one for me! The wrong friends will only serve to drag you down. And at this age your life revolves around your friends. Spent way too much time partying.

    2. Don't be afraid of hard work. Whether it is school or work, no one is going to do it for you. And what you do now will have a huge impact on your life in the future. Was not motivated to work when I was 15, or study for that matter.

    3. Believe in yourself. Confidence is key if you want to succeed. Don't be so quick to give up or listen to negative people. If you are focused enough you will accomplish your goals. That includes asking out girls! It took me way to long to comfortable at that.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10922137].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Shana Walters
    Do not go to college.

    Gorgeous Lucky Bitch,
    Shana Jahsinta Walters.
    Signature
    Write until my fingers fall off. LOL!!!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10930049].message }}
  • Be yourself. You don't need to fit in or compromise your principles. There will always be people who will love you. You're wonderful just the way you are.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10930551].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JamesWhite83
    - Don't try to fit in.
    - Focus on trying to become the best version of yourself instead of the person others expect you to be.
    - Don't be afraid of failure, not trying at all is much worse.
    - Don't follow the safe path, find your own instead.
    - Always put your heart in everything you do.
    - Everything changes. Accept it and move on.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10930595].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dharmi
    I would advice myself to stay focused on a goal, as there are many distractions in life, therefore it becomes important to stay focused to achieve something, along with other enjoyments in life.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10932219].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Andrew Fox
    To stop Alien obsession.

    Ok, they are close by, remote controlling our thoughts, plundering our resources but hey, you have to move on and leave those pesky figures bask somewhere else.
    Signature
    I love getting in trance just by hearing you talk
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10932385].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Don Mann
    What I would give advice,my 15 year old self. Never let others,push into the direction.They want to you to go. Be confident in what you want, to go into.Have a true vision or path,were you want to be in life, and how to get their.Have someone to look up to,help guide you along the way. Buy stock. Or, have your parents,help you buy stock. In Apple,IBM,Facebook.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10934052].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author many10s
    "Don't sweat the small stuff and it's all small stuff"
    Richard Carlson
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10935178].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author piney94
    Risk and take chances
    Take Action
    Speak up for yourself
    As you are learning - look more than you speak
    Understand others' motivations - be a people reader
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10935390].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    I would not give any advice to my 15 year old self....

    because, at 15, I wouldn't listen to advice anyway.
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    It actually doesn't take much to be considered a 'difficult woman' -
    that's why there are so many of us.
    ...jane goodall
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10935415].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author agmccall
    Vacum seal some of that weed for later in life

    al
    Signature

    "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10935590].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author eComCoder
    Don't be so ******* arrogant and be curious about everything. Curiosity feeds intelligence.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10937120].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author velvetcake
    this doesn't have to do with business, but learn relationship skills for dating (books like "his needs, her needs" by willard harley) and two careers don't necessarily fit into one relationship. confusion in this area wasted a lot of my time.

    at age 15, I wasn't too young to understand the realities of dating, but I didn't have a vocabulary for understanding. it's like being a home inspector without knowing what flaws to look for in real estate.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10946755].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author shmol
    Listen more talk less.

    Don't be afraid to ask questions.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10947704].message }}
  • {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10948815].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hubertkoh
    Spend the next 5 years getting yourself educated in the areas you want to specialize in. When you are a teenager, you keep thinking that you can becomes successful in a field in less than a year.

    Not possible.
    Signature
    Personal Development Solo Ads That Converts
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10949686].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author drewgood
    I'd give my 15-year old self 4 or 5 awesome books on copy, then tell him as soon as he's in college to go online, find offers that are irresistible, and reach out to the owner of the page volunteering to work for free to learn.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10954462].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dr los3
    Start that website.
    Drop out of school.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10954864].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author brettb
    I would say worry less, invest more.
    Signature
    ÖŽ FindABlog: Find blogs to comment on, guest posting opportunities and more ÖŽ




    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10959433].message }}

Trending Topics