What I Know Now That I Wish I Knew Then
40 years.
40 years ago tonight, I graduated from high school. I didn’t even think about it until earlier this week. There are so many things I wish this girl could have known then that she knows now.
If I could, these are the things I would tell her:
1. The future is so bright. It may seem daunting and uncertain, but you will be prepared for the challenges and you will be able to navigate them and come out stronger on the other side.
2. You are more than enough. You don’t need to be perfect, just be present in all the moments of your life. Use your God-given talents and gifts to make a difference wherever you go.
3. There is a calling designed just for you. Pursue it with all your heart and when you find it, you will find a purpose that stirs your soul.
4. Decisions determine your path. Every decision you make influences the trajectory of your future. Make them carefully and seek wise counsel.
5. Life is a journey and it passes faster than you could ever imagine. Live in the moment and don’t rush to the next destination. It will come soon enough.
6. Never stop learning. Read the book. Listen to the podcast. Take the course. Learning is critical to fully living.
7. Collect people, not possessions. We were made for relationships and they will contribute to our happiness far more than any possession.
8. Give your life away. It is in the giving of your time, talent and treasure in service to others that you will find joy.
9. Make mistakes and then own them. You will learn more from taking the risk and others will respect you for the flaws you acknowledge.
10. Let it go. Very few things are really in your control, so don’t worry so much. Live into every day focused on your purpose, pursuing your mission and staying true to your values. It will all be ok.
P.S. Take the notes, be a noticer and one day you will write that book, or maybe 3 . . . Or more.
If these ideas resonate with you in your season of life, I share a lot more of what I have learned in life and my career in both the book, Crush Your Career: Ace the Interview, Land the Job and Launch Your Future and in the Crush Your Career eCourse. Both can be found at deeannturner.com.
Meet The Author, Dee Ann Turner
Dee Ann Turner is a 33-year veteran of Chick-fil-A, Inc. Prior to retirement in 2018, she was Vice President, Talent and Vice President, Sustainability.
Selected as the company’s first female officer in 2001, she was instrumental in building and growing Chick-fil-A’s well-known culture and talent systems. During her long career, she worked closely with Chick-fil-A’s founder, S. Truett Cathy, and other key leaders as an architect of their organizational culture. Turner was responsible for thousands of selections of Chick-fil-A Franchisees and corporate staff members. Additionally, she led Talent Management, Staff Learning and Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Culture and Engagement. Most recently, Dee Ann launched and led the Sustainability function focusing on Chick-fil-A’s strategy to implement sustainable practices at the $11 billion company.
Today, she leads her own organization, Dee Ann Turner & Associates, LLC, writing books, speaking to over 50 audiences per year and consulting and coaching leaders globally. She is the author of the best sellers, It’s My Pleasure: The Impact of Extraordinary Talent and a Compelling Culture and Bet on Talent: How to Create a Remarkable Culture and Win the Hearts of Customers. Her newest book, Crush Your Career: Ace the Interview, Land the Job and Launch Your Career will be released in March 2021.
You can connect with Dee Ann at deeannturner.com, crushyourcareerbook.com, Dee Ann on Twitter @deeannturner, Instagram @deeannturner, LinkedIn or on Facebook: @DeeAnnTurnerAuthor.