Each year, New You.

“There’s nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; nobility is being superior to your former self.”- Ernest Hemingway

As we all embark on another year and the blank canvas of possibilities laid out before us, I'd like to share a story that changed my life and I hope will make a positive impact on yours.

Part 1:

The scorching Texas heat, coupled with the oppressive humidity, made the atmosphere in the parking lot feel suffocating. On this particular day, a striking scene played out before me—an individual dressed in full leathers and a helmet, astride the sleekest bullet bike I'd seen since my friend's back home. I couldn't help but wonder about the heat inside that gear. To my surprise, when the rider removed the helmet, I discovered not a fellow college student, but a man well into his seventies. As he held the door open for me upon my entrance to the building, I decided to strike up a conversation.

"Quite toasty out there," I remarked.

He smiled and replied, "Not as bad as one might think."

Intrigued by this enigmatic figure, I resolved to learn more about him during the free time I had before my class. There was a mysterious aura surrounding him, and I was eager to find out more. As I roamed the halls, I noticed they were adorned with quotes in calligraphy and framed poetry - and then I stumbled upon an engaging scene.

A group of students was immersed in a spirited ping pong game, with the elderly man at the epicenter. This was no ordinary match; it was a hilarious spectacle where students took turns attempting to return his serves. Laughter and cheers filled the air as paddle after paddle failed to even touch the speeding ball. I took a seat to watch this unconventional man.

Once the game concluded, he made his way down the hall. I couldn't resist the urge to follow him, and as he opened his office door, I mustered the courage to approach him.

"Excuse me... are you busy?" I inquired.

"Charles," he said as he extended his hand. "No, I have a few minutes. Can I help you with something?"

I couldn't contain my curiosity. "I'm sure I'm not the first person to notice, I mean, what motivates someone to ride a bullet bike in this weather? And more importantly, how does someone become so dominate at ping pong?

He chuckled, then said, "let me give you some context."

He launched into an improbable story of when he was in the military and happened to bunk with a talkative fellow soldier named Frank. Frank possessed an extraordinary ability to discuss a wide range of topics, switching seamlessly between different languages, recounting stories, reciting poetry - this guy was from another world.

As the nights passed, he realized immersing himself in Frank's narratives provided a much-needed distraction from his homesickness. Frank shared a particular story about his youth and the influence of his uncle Edward. When Frank was 12 years old, a girl moved into his neighborhood—a girl so beautiful that Frank couldn't believe his luck. His mother explained that the girl's family was from Italy and spoke very little English, dashing Frank's hopes of getting to know her. However, a twist of fate intervened.

One evening, Frank's uncle Edward came over for dinner, having just returned from years abroad in Italy. As his mother asked Eddie to open a bottle of Italian wine, Frank was taken aback. "You speak Italian?" he exclaimed. Eddie's response was the catalyst for a remarkable journey.

Eddie agreed to teach Frank Italian. Frank's determination to communicate with the girl, led to a memorable summer filled with shared adventures and dreams. Speaking in another language felt like having magical powers—they could share secrets, write notes only they could understand, and enjoy a bond that others could only envy.

Frank's family eventually moved away, but the memories of that summer remained etched in his heart. He had learned a valuable lesson and shared it with Charles. Love is a powerful motivator. It doesn't have to be romantic love; it can be a love of learning, a love of experiencing new things, or a love of becoming proficient in a skill.

Frank's experiences ignited an insatiable thirst for learning in Charles, and a desire to experience all that life had to offer. I was hanging on every word as he described learning French, calligraphy (so that's who put those on the wall), Motorcycle Safety and Maintenance, Ping Pong, sign-language and so on. This chance encounter with Frank had transformed him, opening his eyes to the possibilities of a life filled with continuous learning and reinvention.

"In every year and endeavor, we have the power to reinvent ourselves, uncovering new dimensions of who we are and experiencing the richness of life to the fullest," Charles concluded.

"Each of the new skills and talents you acquire brings out a new side of your self. These different 'selves' are like old friends, and when you reconnect with them, it's the same feeling—familiarity, warmth, and the realization that you're becoming and discovering a new and better you through the process.

His words resonated deeply within me as I left his office, profoundly impacted by his wisdom. The magic of following a regiment of acquiring new talents each year, fueled by love and a passion for life, became a guiding light in my journey of personal growth and reinvention.

From Frank, to Charles, to me - it was a secret, like the Dread Pirate Roberts from The Princess Bride. Incorporating a new skill or talent each year since having the conversation has added a profound richness to my life - far more than it otherwise would have.

As you continue on your career journey, remember the more you invest in self-improvement and continuous growth, the more valuable you become to your employer, your family, and yourself. Evolving and expanding your skill set not only enhances your professional worth but also brings confidence through the learning, joy from serving others, and satisfaction from overcoming challenges.

I encourage everyone to embrace this principle of regularly reinventing and stretching yourself - it's the best thing you can do to "upskill" and change your career / life arc. Your future self will thank you as the positive effects of these new "You's" compound throughout your life.

Next post . . . HOW TO IMPLEMENT YOU - 2.0.