Sh*t I'd Tell My 21 Year Old Self: vol.01

It's funny - in my life I've owned a business longer than I haven't. I've spent a lot of time with young professionals and I'm always flattered when they ask me for sage advice. They're mostly after some nuggets of lessons learned and my best practices.??I've learned a massive amount during my career and I could talk for days on what NOT to do. Recently, I got to thinking - what would I say to my 21 year old self? The 21 year old me had just bombed the LSAT, was having a lot of fun on a college Yell Squad and neck deep in sorority life.? Hot damn that girl used A LOT of hairspray and was constantly in motion!? If I could sit down with my younger self today, this is what I’d share with her:

KEEP A JOURNAL!? It's so obvious it doesn't even get a number on the list.? Document this life and career - all of it. Write down short quips, long stories and everything in between.? Trust me you won't remember what you had for lunch yesterday let alone a fraction of this amazing journey.

1. Live Clean & In Moderation

This goes beyond what you eat or drink or how much you work out—it’s about everything you let into your life. Pay attention to what you consume: media, opinions, habits, people and most importantly, your inner dialogue. The conversations you have with yourself will shape your actions, beliefs, and ultimately your destiny. Be kind to yourself, choose your words wisely, and protect the space in your mind.

2. Live in a State of Perpetual Gratitude

Gratitude isn’t just a fleeting feeling—it’s a practice, a way of life. It will set the tone for your strength, help you lead with love, and allow you to see setbacks as opportunities to learn. The hurdles and setbacks happen FOR you not TO you. Hurdles aren’t obstacles to your progress; they are the very things that shape it. Gratitude creates space for positivity without sliding into toxic optimism. Find the balance and let it guide you.

3. Embrace Work-Life Sway

Forget about achieving a perfect work-life balance every day—it’s impossible. Instead, think of life and work as a pendulum constantly swaying back and forth during a period of time. There will be times when your career demands more, and times when your family does. Every “yes” you give to one thing is a “no” to something else. [You're a JOMO pioneer, BTW.] And when it comes to being a working Mom, know that while it’s the hardest job you’ll ever have, it is also THE most rewarding. Volunteer at the school classroom parties - that season goes quickly.? Be present for your kids and learn to sway through the different seasons of your life and theirs.

4. Get Their Name

Successful people connect with people. Talk to everyone. Get their name, remember it, and use it. The clean team - get their names. The client's CEO - get her name too. Everyone plays a role in your journey and you in theirs. No one does it alone, and we all have a name. The simple act of recognizing someone’s humanity goes a long way, both in business and in life.

5. Sleep is the Key to Life

Sleep is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. It fuels everything: your energy, your mood, your creativity, and even your decision-making. Don’t shortchange it. And if there’s ever a period where you have to compromise on sleep, make sure it’s short-lived. Prioritize it like your life depends on it—because it does.

6. Your Worth is Not Measured by a Full Calendar

You’re a natural planner, fast-paced, and you like getting "it" done. That’s great, however, beware of confusing busyness with productivity. Being busy is not a badge of honor - in fact, stop using the word "busy". You don’t need a packed schedule to prove your worth. Leaving some white space in your calendar to breathe will make you more effective and more present in all aspects of your life. Make space for yourself, and trust that the rest will fall into place. And if for some reason the rest doesn't fall into place maybe it shouldn't.

7. Get Curious

You don’t have all the answers, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s more than okay—it’s an opportunity. Ask questions. Stay curious about people, topics, and life in general. Start conversations and dig deeper. Curiosity is the gateway to learning and connection. The moment you think you know it all is the moment you stop growing.

8. Live with Little to No Regret

Life is a series of choices. Some will be right, and some won’t. Don’t waste time regretting what you did or didn’t do. Without being flippant, know it’s much healthier to live without regrets than to carry the weight of guilt or missed opportunities. Remember the past is history, so learn from it and move on. And, as a working Mom, the guilt can be especially heavy—don’t let it be. Do your best knowing that’s more than enough.

9. Find the Joy in Everything

Joy is a choice, and it’s always within your control. Find it in the small moments, the challenges, the triumphs—everything. Life will hand you hard things and your ability to seek out joy will keep you grounded. (Except for pantyhose—let’s just agree there’s no joy in wearing those.) But seriously, cultivating joy, even in the tough times, will change how you experience life.

10. Answer Confidently When They Ask Your Age

You’re young, and it shows. Own it. When someone asks your age, say “you first", laugh off the inappropriate question then answer confidently. Youth is a gift, but it’s not something that lasts forever. Embrace it now, and don’t shy away from telling people what you’re going to do—then invite them to join you. There will come a day when no one asks your age, and I promise you you'll miss the question when it’s gone.

11. There Are No Guarantees in Life…So Go for It

There’s no such thing as a sure thing, so why not go for what you really want? Grit, attitude, and effort have always been your greatest strengths, starting with that lemonade stand back in the 4th grade. At that stand you learned hard lessons about the high cost of overhead, law enforcement procedures and the bureaucracy of City permits. (Yes, at your lemonade stand....this really happened. You were 9.) Those lessons made you gritty and fierce. Ask yourself, “What’s the BEST that could happen?” and go for it with all you’ve got and then some.

12. People First, Then Everything Else Will Follow

No matter what industry you’re in, the secret to being a good teammate is surrounding yourself with people better than you and putting them first. It sounds simple, but it’s profound. Lead with empathy, kindness, and understanding. When you prioritize the people around you—whether it’s your team, your family, or your clients—other pieces tend to come together. Try leading without considering people, and you’ll quickly see the difference.

13. You Have More Than You Need Right Now

You don’t need to wait until everything is perfect to take action. You have everything you need to start. In business and life, 60% of the information, more often than not, is enough to get off the starting block. Don’t let scarcity or the need for certainty hold you back. Like a swan on a lake, you might look graceful on the surface, but underneath, you’re paddling like crazy to make things work. Trust that you will find a way with whatever you have.?

Few more fun facts 21 YO LB should know: that growth spurt everyone thought was coming never came. Your max height was 4'11" ???? Over the years you sent a few emails that you really shouldn't have and OMG you aren't afraid to cut/color your hair. What got into you?