Lessons to My Past (and Current) Self

To follow up on my last article, Accelerating to Purpose: A Career in Four Acts, I've spent two months reflecting and wanted to share the thoughts that came to me as I got out of bed this morning. These come from a place of privilege and gratitude and, I believe, hold value for both my younger and current self... and perhaps for you too. What would you tell your younger self if you could?

(1) Improve Health

I once threw my entire body at work. Did that intensity help build my career? Yes. Still, I didn’t need to go that far. At 54 this month, I run faster and lift more than I did in my 30s. I weigh less than I did in my 20s. No diet, no Ozempic, just sustainable lifestyle changes I could’ve made years ago.

At a recent pre-event gathering, someone asked if I was the speaker (I wasn’t) based on my energy. That energy came from better health. I used to think skipping soda and running made me healthy, but I knew so little. If you're younger: don’t wait. Invest in your health now. Get a physical. Healthspan is the real game, with more work energy as a bonus if you treat yourself right.

(2) Contribute vs. Extract

If we’re connected on LinkedIn, chances are you’re affluent in world terms, even if you don’t see it that way. Today, success is increasingly defined not by what we take in (and own) but by what we give.

This came into focus for me recently in Mexico, where gentrification raises important questions about how expats and nomads contribute—or don’t—to the local community. In the U.S., this type of conversation is growing louder as wealth gaps widen. At the micro level, contributing vs. extracting applies to daily work tasks too.

I’ve often asked myself, “Did I add value today?” That question now carries more weight beyond work. As I shift to purpose-driven ventures, I’m acting more intentionally about how I contribute. Stay tuned—more on that soon.

(3) Connect Even More

We all know the advice: spend time with family, cherish your friends, make space for connection. I’ve always valued mentoring and building relationships, but I now see how urgency and output often edged out deeper connection. Too much of my career was more transactional than it needed to be.

If I could go back, I’d double down on connection. Work products fade. Human connections endure. In the end, it’s the relationships, not the resume, that matter most.

These are the thoughts I woke up with today as I plan for 2026. To point #3, I’m always open to reconnecting. Feel free to message me anytime.

All the best,

Stefan