My 3 takeaways I’d tell my younger self
3 takeaways I’d tell my younger self by Christopher Schindler

My 3 takeaways I’d tell my younger self


I celebrate my birthday this week and as is common with dates of personal significance we reflect and ponder. As I approach my 50th birthday, and yes it hurts, even Birthday it's only a number: Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.

So with the experience I have today, what would I’d tell younger self by using the Time Machine today and travelling 30 years back.

Es wurde kein Alt-Text für dieses Bild angegeben.

Be open-minded and say yes more than no, even if you don’t know how to do something and how it will end.

Great opportunities don’t always present themselves, so when they do, be poised to take advantage. Raise your hand high. It may not be in your job description or even something you’re comfortable doing, but people recognize effort, desire and of course courage.

If you decided to do a job or a mission - invest always 100% of your energy.

Knowing how important it is to be focused what you do by your heart and mind. I still believe to give always 100% is the secret to make things come true. Go the extra mile, it's worth. If you do not want to invest for the extra mile. Find a cause that you believe in and give your time and talent. And last not least ...

Don't be a dead fish.

One of my absolute favorite quotes, who helped me more often, making the right decisions:

Only Dead Fish Go With The Flow.

Who actually coined this phrase isn't very clear, but that doesn't take away from its meaning and impact. Often times people and I remember some of my former manager gave "go with the flow" as advice, and in some situations, this may be truly helpful. But I still believe that speak up, use your own brain and flair will help others and yourself to grow and make the different to all other lemmings. Do not allow others to think for you, even a large collective of others. Each person should think for themselves and therefore become incredibly individualistic.?

So hope all this advice will help. Taking action means you are evolving. You gain new skills, perspectives and experiences, which in turn will help you to cope better with future situations. So if you bravely face your tasks and problems today, there is a very high probability that you will be spared this problem tomorrow.


Bernd Krekeler

Country Representative tkMS for Türkiye; Program-Manager tkMS (certified IPMA-A); Managing Director BVSS/ SVG; Board-Member tkMS A.S. (Ankara); Member of the Supervisory Board tkMS/ Zertifizierter Aufsichtsrat

2 年

This morning I found your post and carefully read it. All of your take-aways from an experienced life are so true! I wish, many younger ones read and truly follow ... From my experience, I would like to add: conciliate with people and cicumstances; it won't help to quarrel. Sharing such kind of input makes the difference from administrator or even manager to a real leader. Thank you for sharing - looking forward to further fruitful collaboration and helping people on their personal development not only in business, but all life! Again: congratultion to your birthday - and all the best for your future!

Odilia Gaspar

Head of Early Careers Structures Wing at Airbus

2 年

Happy birthday Christopher Schindler ! That's a great reflection, thanks for sharing! I would also say to your/my younger self: 1. Be yourself;2. Be brave to learn and evolve; 3. Keep the fun at work! It's all about people. ??

Manju Jehan

Head of HR Final Assembly Lines A330, A350, Paintshop

2 年

Happy Birthday Christopher!! Wish you a great year!!!

Andreas Moritz

Experte für Compensation & Benefits

2 年

Happy Birthday ???? und alles Gute für das neue Lebensjahr. Ich wünsche Ihnen, dass Ihre beruflichen und privaten Wünsche in Erfüllung gehen. ?? ??Herzliche Grü?e aus Hamburg. Andreas Moritz Was ich meinen jüngeren ich gerne sagen würde: ?Schalte den Fernseher aus! Lasse ihn so lange wie m?glich aus. Du wirst nichts von dieser Flimmerkiste lernen. Lasse ihn aus, denn du musst dir deine Energie für wahre Erfahrungen aufheben. Investiere in einen Computer und eine Internetverbindung. Das ist auf kurze und lange Sicht eine sinnvolle Entscheidung, wenn du wei?t, wie du die Technik nutzen solltest. Soziale Netzwerke m?gen als eine Form der Kommunikation dienen, aber entbl??e dich dort nicht zu sehr und vernachl?ssige die Realit?t und deinen echten Freunde nicht.“

Susanne Albrecht

#Make a difference.

2 年

Happy Birthday Christopher! Long time no see, but still remember my first days at Siemens VDO RBG HR Recruiting ;-)

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