Guidance From My Future 100-Year-Old Self

Today, I will be on stage for Griffith University, speaking to 200 future leaders and students across Queensland. This is the 10th year I have been doing these events, which are my favourites. Why? It is like I am talking to my younger self. The guidance, motivation and leadership I want to share with these students and, yes, my younger self fuels my soul. I love building and teaching future leaders.

Some things I share and teach regularly in my keynotes and programs are the power of self-reflection and great questions.

Who do you want to be, what do you want to stand for, why do you want to lead, and finally, what legacy do you want to leave behind?

I want things to be different this year, as our most precious resource is TIME. Over the break, I read the book Top Five Regrets of the Dying, a must-read.

Here are the top five regrets of the dying , as witnessed by Ware:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

What do you think?

It got me thinking about what 100-year-old Sonia would say to her today. She would say a lot; however, I wanted to share my top ten insights.

Receiving guidance from your future 100-year-old self is a beautiful and insightful way to approach life decisions. While I can't predict what will happen tomorrow or when I am 100, I can offer some general advice that my wiser future self might share:

1. Prioritise Relationships: My 100-year-old self would likely tell me about the importance of relationships over possessions or career achievements. She should invest time building and maintaining meaningful connections with family, friends, and loved ones. By the way, social connection helps us live longer, too. Watch this!
2. Embrace Change and Be Courageous: Life has unexpected twists and turns. Your future self might encourage you to be adaptable, open to change, and embrace courage. Embrace new opportunities, learn from challenges, and don't hesitate to step out of your comfort zone. Finally, embrace your fears and go for it! If you fear failing like I know you used to, you will learn so much from your mistakes. I love courage, so I even published a book on it!
3. Live in the Present: My future self will remind me to appreciate and savour the current moment. While it's crucial to plan for the future, don't let it overshadow the joy and experiences of the present.
4. Take Care of Your Health: Physical and mental well-being are precious assets. My older self will tell me to prioritise a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient rest. She may even say to drink a little less. Finally, taking care of my mental health is just as important, so don't hesitate to seek support. This year, I have decided to see a therapist as I know the power of help, and I discovered there is a past trauma I need to work through. I also want to start a fantastic courageous and leadership podcast, and I know that to inspire and guide others, I need to be my best self! Stay tuned...
5. Follow Your Passions: Pursue what brings you joy and fulfilment. Whether it's a hobby, career, or personal project, my older self will encourage me to follow my passions and invest time in activities that make me truly happy. I loved to paint when I was much younger, and over Christmas, I started again, and I forgot how much I loved it.
6. Learn Continuously (Big Time): The world is constantly evolving, and my older self will thank me for my growth mindset and the importance of lifelong learning. She would say to stay curious, explore new interests, and be open to acquiring new skills throughout my life.
7. Practice Gratitude: Cultivate a mindset of gratitude. My 100-year-old self would tell me to regularly reflect on the positive aspects of my life and foster an appreciation for the people and experiences that contribute to my well-being and happiness. I practice this daily, as well as affirmations, visualisation and journaling. I coach others to do this, and it is extremely powerful.
8. Travel and Explore: I know she would say, please do this while you are young. She would say to explore different cultures and places. My older self would push the value of broadening my perspective through travel and experiencing the diversity the world has to offer. Something I will be focusing on this year and beyond.
9. Be Kind to Yourself (this is critical): Life is a journey with ups and downs. My current and older self will remind me every day to be kind and loving to myself during challenging times. Learn from mistakes, celebrate successes, and remember that self-compassion is essential.
10. Leave a Legacy of Love: Consider the impact you want to have on the world. My 100-year-old self will tell and encourage me to leave a positive legacy by spreading love and kindness and making a difference in the lives of others. This is why I always ask myself - - Who do I want to be? - What do I want to stand for? - Why do I want to lead?- What legacy do I want to leave?

What do you think your 100-year-old self would say to you?

By?Sonia McDonald?– CEO of LeadershipHQ and Outstanding Leadership Awards , Leadership Coach , Global Keynote Speaker , Entrepreneur, CEO And Award Winning Author .

When Sonia speaks, she captivates everyone in the room, making each person feel engaged in a one-on-one conversation. Her authenticity and heartfelt delivery make her a compelling and motivating leadership expert and speaker, capable of sparking life-changing experiences. People often describe Sonia as sassy, inspirational, genuine, and memorable, with her high-energy delivery, humour, and practical advice empowering her audience and instilling them with the confidence to take courageous actions and inspire outstanding leadership in all facets of life.

In addition to her dynamic speaking and MC career, Sonia is a renowned and award-winning author, with books such as "Leadership Attitude," "Just Rock It!," and "First Comes Courage" to her name. She contributes to publications like The Australian, HRD Magazine, BBC World, and Women’s Business Media. Her influence extends globally, having been recognized among the Top 250 Influential Women and the Top 100 Australian Entrepreneurs by Richtopia.

Sonia's expertise in leadership, culture, organisational development, neuroscience, compassion, and courage is internationally acknowledged through her leadership and coaching work and voice. She is also the driving force and CEO behind LeadershipHQ and the Outstanding Leadership Awards, further solidifying her status as a leader in her field.

Her clients have included Qantas, Australian Institute of Building, Tyro, Amazon, QSuper, Coles, Thiess, CPB, Air Services, Spell & the Gypsy.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sonia is a dedicated single parent with a deep commitment to supporting women in business and improving teenage mental health. She tirelessly travels and speaks across Australia and worldwide, all in pursuit of her mission to cultivate a world filled with exceptional leaders and exemplary leadership.