note to my future self

Remember that one day, a young person is going to look at you with hope, lingering on your every last word, studying you, listening – really listening, in a way that your peers have long forgotten to listen.

She will remember what you tell her and whether you keep your promises. She will observe your body language, your slang, your presence in the room, the way others react to you, whether even you are fully aware of it or not. Remember that she will wonder what you were like at her age, whether she can be as successful as you, whether she can be better than you, whether she has the same tenacity in her. She will look at you with a mixture of curiosity and awe.

Remember that it is young people who have fresh eyes, perceiving things that you may have not noticed in years. She will wonder how you acquired your knowledge, and what she has to do to become as well-informed. Her actions will reflect her respect for you, but not her envy – that she keeps buried, shrouded by her eagerness to please you.

Remember this, one day, when you are someone’s manager, teacher, or mentor. Your every action, email, sentence, compliment and criticism – she will hang on to those. Remember this, because you are that young person today.