I recently appeared on a podcast where I was asked about the business and leadership lessons I would tell my 20-year-old self. Reflecting on this question is a valuable exercise for any business leader or entrepreneur. It offers a chance to uncover the wisdom and insights gained through experiences in life, leadership, and business.

Here are just a few of the things I would tell 20-year-old Matt.

• Prioritize people over profit. Focusing solely on profit will drive people away, but investing in individuals will naturally lead to success. Commit to supporting your team by nurturing their personal and professional growth. Take time to understand their stories, ambitions, and goals. When you make their aspirations your priority, success follows naturally.
• Striving for perfection often blocks genuine connection. Social media overwhelms us with images of flawless lives, creating pressure to project an ideal version of ourselves in both personal and professional settings. Instead of showcasing perfection, embrace authenticity. Show up as your real, imperfect self—someone who makes mistakes and learns along the way. True trust and meaningful relationships are built through honesty, and these connections will strengthen both your business and leadership.  To learn more about this concept in depth, check out my book Painted Baby: Connect with Clients Through Brave and Vulnerable Storytelling.
• Patience is key to success. While short-term progress may seem slow, a decade can bring remarkable achievements. Shift your perspective to focus on long-term goals rather than quick results.
• Stop comparing your journey to others. Focus on your journey and yours alone.  When you compare, make sure you compare where you are today with where you are from the past.  Have you improved and become better? Have you learned and grown? Have you advanced the things that matter?
• Strive for excellence by consistently working to be your best self each day.
• Your family values time with you more than your financial success. Be present and create meaningful moments with them.
• Taking a few steps back is okay. We live in a culture where the hustle and grind mentality is pushed.  “DRIVE FORWARD,” they scream.  It seems if you are not ALWAYS moving the ball down the field, then you are a loser.  Remember that losing 5 or 10 yards, taking a step back may be exactly what you need right now. You may have been charging, grinding, and hustling so hard and fast that you were about to take your life or business somewhere not good.  God has a way of sacking you when and where you need it.
• Remember that every journey begins with a first step. Take that step.  You may not fully know what you are stepping into.  You may feel like you are walking in the dark or jumping into the deep end of the pool.  Have faith and take that step.
• Please remember that if entrepreneurship and leadership was easy, everybody would be doing it.
• Reflect on how you want future generations to remember you. Writing your own eulogy can provide valuable insights into what truly matters in life.
• Prioritize self-care to serve others better. You can’t give your best when you’re drained. Reject the myth that leadership requires constant sacrifice. Take time to recharge, refocus, and do what energizes you. A fulfilled life benefits everyone around you. By the way, if you are looking for a unique and once in a lifetime way to fill your cup, I will be doing this with an amazing group of business leaders in September when we take the Hike of a Lifetime on the Camino de Sanitago. 

There you have it.  These are some of the lessons I would tell 20-year-old Matt.

How about you?

What lessons have you gained along the way? What advice would you share with yourself from one, three, five, or even twenty years ago?

I hope this week’s blog gave you a quick shot of inspiration and practical wisdom for your life and business.

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