Letter to my younger self #IWD2020

Dear lil B,

Great news - you make it to 2020!

There’s a lot of similarities between then and now... you’ll always have a strong sense of who you are.

You’ll still dance around the house to the Rolling Stones, KISS, Prince, David Bowie... well pretty much your 70s-80s playlists.

You’ll still have to wear glasses, but mostly for the computer and driving. 

You’ll still love wearing fun, sparkly things... life’s too short to be boring.

The business report you made when you were 7 years old pays off - not only do you get your first puppy because of your compelling case, but it was probably your first step to getting really good at communications and commerce!

You’ll fall in love with the water industry - where you’ll spend a lot of your career. You’ll get to work on some amazing projects and big infrastructure, including dam wall upgrades. But mostly you’ll meet some amazing people, who will be your closest friends and a part of your family.

Your default is to trust and be friendly because “strangers are just friends you haven’t met!”... this will drive your parents crazy, particularly when you go walkabouts by yourself in shopping malls as a small child. Don't worry, usually your gut kicks in to avoid tricky situations.

You’ll still like to sit at the adults table, because you’re a sponge that loves learning, seeing impact and discussing the big picture. This is probably why your big juicy life goal is to sit at the Board table by 2030... it’s a big goal! And you’ll get there.

Your outlet is being creative - make time to do that, it’s just as necessary as breathing for you.

Your curiosity will take you all around the world - you’ll see some amazing things (including most of the Seven Wonders of the World, you still plan to experience them all!). You’ll also see some challenging things, including poverty, death and destruction - but they help you be stronger and grateful.

You love translating the complicated into simple, so that you can share what you know for others to understand. But mostly because too much detail annoys you.

You’ll still respond to someone doubting you with “think I can’t do it? Just watch me!”... and then you’ll smash it.

You’ll be the first woman in your entire family to get a degree, then the first person in the family to get a double degree and now your MBA. Life is meant for learning.

Your ambition and tenaciousness can be a blessing and a curse - use it for good, don’t let it overtake your health and wellbeing.

Despite challenges with mental health, you’ll work through them and help others. Your loving family and friends are always there to support you.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER TO:

• Ask for help.
• Back yourself.
• Create space, busy is the new stupid.
• Embrace your curiosity and creativity - use it to grow others.
• Be grateful and give kindness.
• Most of all... have fun!

Much much love,

Bigger B ???