The 5 tips to my younger self

Last week I had the honor to talk at the Young Enterprise Scotland year end presentations about my thoughts for their future. I kept it simple. I asked myself what advice would I give to my younger self as someone about to leave school and follow my dreams. I based it on my life; growing up on a council estate, graduating from University and working for arguable one of the best marketing companies in the world. I believe these tips stand true regardless of your industry, expertise and experience. I hope they can help you too. So what are these 5 tips that I would give to my younger self? 

1. Impossible is nothing

It all starts with believing in yourself and dreaming big. Spend time on developing a a vision of the future that excites you. Now if you think that you are not visionary, think again. Dreaming big always starts with a simple desire to improve something. Take it from starting point A to point B. I love the Nickelback music video for If Everyone Cared. It gives many examples of those who dreamed big and demonstrates that anyone can do this. 

2. Live True Grit everyday 

True grit is one of my favourite subjects. I have written about it more depth here. Simply put, it is the habit of perseverance. Getting up every day fighting for your dream no matter the set-backs. Chasing the dream, never giving up. This isn't something you are born with, it is nurtured over time. This is by far one of the most critical skills required to determine your success. 

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.- Thomas A. Edison

3. Out work your competition

In his 2008 book "Outliers," Malcolm Gladwell claimed that "ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness." His examples included Bill Gates, who was able to start coding as a teen and the Beatles, who played eight-hour gigs in German clubs long before their global success. The key lesson here for young folk is that they have to practise and practise every day on their desired skills. Success is not handed to you on a gene platter. No matter what your parents tell you. Will Smith talks about this passionately below.

The only thing that I see that is distinctly different about me is I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be out-worked, period. You might have more talent than me, you might be smarter than me, you might be sexier than me, you might be all of those things you got it on me in nine categories. But if we get on the treadmill together, there’s two things: You’re getting off first, or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple.- Will Smith

4. Make a decision

The key mistake most folk make, is not realising their are at a crossroads requiring a decision. Sadly their lack of decisive action turns out to be a decision in the end and locks them into a future of consequences that they don't really fancy so much.

“An accepted leader has only to be sure of what it is best to do, or at least to have made up his mind about it.- Winston Churchill

When people do realise they are at a crossroads, they need to flush out the impact of that longer term. Most young folk don't do that. They should instead ask themselves if they will be proud of the decision that they are about to make in 10 years time. If you are not sure, then the formula is simple: Listen to your gut and to advisors/mentors who have walked a similar path. If that is not possible, then think of the below quote.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference- Robert Frost

5. Expand your peer group

I realize this from personal experience that your dreams are often shaped by your peer group. They say that you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. So your peer group often dictates the scope of reality and the propensity to dream. If you expand your peer group, the bar will inevitably get higher. Your dreams will be bigger. the reality of your dreams will increase. So for young ones that means, travelling, seeking to be in the best college/university, seeking out friends that will fuel their dreams. 

As mentioned earlier, this post is a result of my talk (see slides below) at the University of Strathclyde last week to the Young Enterprise Scotland. It was clear from talking to others that we all have different experiences, so what tips would you give to your younger self?

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Author: Michelle is the SVP and leader of corporate strategy & transformation, product innovation and incubator teams for Samsung Electronics America. Her focus is on transforming the US growth through strategy hacking, business model and product innovation and rapid change management. Before that Michelle spent 16 years at Procter & Gamble, most of her time in Prestige Beauty, then moved to become the CMO at Vertu, British luxury handmade mobile handsets. For upcoming posts, follow Michelle on LinkedIn and twitter. All statements made, opinions expressed in this article only reflect her personal opinion.

Other articles written by Michelle: 

1. Rise up my warrior, a letter to my daughter
2. The 5 steps P&G taught me on how to build a Leadership Culture. 
3. Improve your Leadership overnight with these 3 simple steps.
4. True Grit- the success gene
5. Why some emotional advertising misses the mark