Since that time I have learned a great deal, and I admit to not knowing half as much as I thought I knew when I graduated.  But on top of learning a great deal, I’ve seen a great deal.  I’ve seen my older coworkers be too comfortable in their positions, I’ve seen them take themselves too seriously, and I’ve seen them continually be out of touch with the real world.  I’ve seen what it’s like to work for a large company, and I’ve seen what it has done to the creativity of my coworkers.  So in their honor, I’ve compiled a list of 23 things I know at 23 that I pray I remember at 43.

1. Just because your salary grows doesn’t mean your lifestyle should
2. Physical fitness is the best way to mental health
3. Don’t stop dreaming
4. The Industrious Gain Wealth, While the Wealthy Remain Industrious
5. Allow your inner Michael Scott to show Edit: I know he’s an idiot, but he always puts people first.  That’s what I meant.
6. Think Different
7. Welcome other ideas
8. Look down, that’s the furthest you’ll fall.  Look up, how high will you fly?
9. If you don’t let people blow you away, you’ll never be impressed
10. Make time for the things you love, they make you who you are
11. Laugh
12. Don’t be afraid to say no
13. Stay in touch with college students, they are where innovation comes from
14. Dream Big
15. Public Companies are where innovation goes to die
16. Share ideas: If you’re scared you’re going to get screwed you’re never going to get laid
17. If someone wants it more, let them have it, if you want it more, compete for it and prove it.
18. Observe behavior
19. Keep It Simple
20. Stay flexible and open to change
21. Stay Informed
22. Surround yourself with those you strive to be like
23. I can (still) Change the world

What do you want to make sure you remember in 20 years?

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Really… I am.  I can be anything I want to be.  A CEO, an Entertainer, an Olympic Gold Medalist; whatever I work towards I can acheive.

I was 5 years old when I first said that, and society reaffirmed me, you told me “yes, you can be whatever you want to be, you’re special.”  But now, because I’m in my early twenties, if I say those words, I’m cocky and arrogant.

For some reason when I grew up, my elders wanted me to throw everything they taught me out the window in order to conform and follow in their footsteps.  Blazing my own trail is now considered too risky, or stupid because I’ve crossed this “magical threshold” of being a teenager.  Dreaming, I now find out, is just for kids.  Now I must conform to what I have been “trained” to do.

What if I don’t want to do that?  Is it my fault that I still believe all of those things you and Mr. Rogers engrained in me?  Am I stupid for believing I can do whatever I set my mind to?

I don’t care if you think you lied to me about following my dreams, you didn’t.  You lied to yourself, because I am already changing the world, and blazing my own trail, you just don’t realize it.

I am Mark Zuckerberg, I am Shia LaBeouf, I am LeBron James, Michael Phelps, and Usain Bolt. 

I am Generation Y.

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