What's on my mind? Advice to my younger self

Every entrepreneur has a story - it usually involves long hours, doing whatever it takes, and making TONS of mistakes along the way. I'm a proud mistake maker, and I personally think that these twists and turns and mistakes are what makes us who we are, make us successful. But there's a little part of me that wishes I could hop in my time machine and go back and give my younger self just a few tips to make things go better, bigger, easier...

While I didn't get advice from the older Kurt, I did have a few mentors along the way, without whom I know I wouldn't have had the success I've had. People like David Washburn , James A (Jim) Smith, CPA, CGMA , Rolf Wilkin , the late Tony Doherty, and my deeply missed father all helped me along my journey in one way or another.

I think we've all benefitted (or have the opportunity to benefit) from advice from those who came before us. As you know, I believe that we learn best from the stories of others - and not just the Glory Stories - give me the Gory Stories too, baby!

So all of this got me thinking...if you could go back and give advice to your younger self - what would you say? What key decisions would you have made differently? Maybe you weren't ready to take a risk? Maybe you missed a key opportunity?

Think about it for a minute and then do 3 things for me:

1. Embrace the decisions and mistakes that you DID make -- because those are part of what made you the badass that you are today;
2. Learn from the past and use it to build the future you desire;
3. Seek mentors to support your growth (no matter where you are on your journey) and seek out and be available to others who need mentorship themselves.

Advice for those just starting out...and those who mentor them

In the spirit of mentorship, I recently wrote two articles. One for my sons and their friends (and many others!) who are early in their career or are looking for work in this crazy world:

Help Wanted: Useful Tips for Landing Your First (Or Second or Third) Job

And another for old farts like me who are in a position to mentor others:

Paying it Forward: Why you Should Extend a Hand to Those Starting Out

Check 'em out, and let me know what you think!

Advice for your younger self

Through my Unlocking Moves podcast, I've had great conversations with some truly amazing entrepreneurs about their successes, their failures, their stories. Fans know that we love to go deep and analyze their journeys (including the highlights and the shit shows) so that you might learn from them -- and be inspired.

Here are some of my favorite clips focused on advice for their younger selves:

Poppi's Allison Ellsworth and Stephen Ellsworth talk about their early struggles - in the heat, in the warehouse, on the ground - doing every job in the company, from marketing to bottling. They discussed the advantages of knowing every job in the company and the GRIT needed to survive. They MAY have commented about the youngsters on their phones!

Kit Rich has tons of stories about motivating others to be the best version of themselves. As a Hollywood trainer for over a decade, she's literally in the business of coaching others to find their greatness! But her greatest coaching moment came when she realized she's been neglecting herself and should be following the advice she's been giving others for years!!!

James Dumoulin joined Unlocking Moves to share the story of The School of Hard Knocks, which he and his partners have built into a digital EMPIRE on YouTube / TikTok / Instagram. You've likely seen them pop up in your feeds, asking successful entrepreneurs like Mark Cuban, Kendra Scott and hundreds of others for the advice they'd give their younger selves.

I couldn't help but ask James the three BEST pieces of advice they've heard over the years.

Finally, Jason Bronstad gave us some great career tips: never stop learning, be curious and seek opportunities for growth. You'll be happier...and more successful! For those starting out - seek opportunities to experience a variety of roles, departments and environments. This will help you determine what you're passionate about and what you're good at!

Call to action!

I've got two final thoughts for YOU:

1. If you could get your time machine out of the repair shop, what's the best piece of advice you'd want to go back and give to your younger self?
2. Pay it forward. I encourage you to provide advice, mentorship, counsel to junior versions of you. The next generation needs mentorship, much like you received (or wish you'd received)!