Observe your future self
Thursday, July 26, 2007 - posted by hellomynameisscott at 7:06 AM
ATTENTION ANYONE UNDER 25!If you’re a “young blade,” as my Grandma likes to say, you need to take a good look at the veterans of your industry.
I suggest:
Meet them.
Observe them
Hang out with them.
Ask questions of them.
THEN: create a picture of the type of person that someone who does what you do often becomes.
This is something you need to know going in. To a new career OR a new job.
FOR EXAMPLE: as an entrepreneur under 30, I tend to work with a lot of people who are sometimes 20 years ahead of me.
And a few of the trends I notice (although not for everybody) include:
o Lack of work-life balance
o Incredible stress, physically and mentally
o Sabotaged relationships
o Absentee fathers and husbands
o Complacency and therefore lack of reinvention and/or expansion
That’s not who I want to become! I think.
I remember last year I asked a friend of mine, "Do you ever come into the office on Sundays?"
He said, "I come into the office when I'm in town."
Wow.
Sure am glad I realize this now!
So. What about you?
What do you want (and not want) to become?
Even if you're not under 30, here a few steps to help you find the answer:
1. Observe your future self. Create a picture of the type of person that someone who does what you do often becomes.
2. Self-Assessment. Ask yourself three questions:
a. Do I want to end up like them?
b. If not, whom DO I want to end up like?
c. And what steps will I have to take (now) in order to become that person (later)?
3. Journal. Start a “Don’t Ever Let That Happen to Me” Log. Consider doing it with another person or a mastermind group for accountability purposes.
4. Evaluate. On a regular basis, do a check-in. See where you’ve been, where you are and where you’re going. Be sure your path is consistent with what you’ve observed and what you want.
REMEMBER: you don’t have to become what everyone else who does what you do often becomes.
It’s up to you.
Because you always have a choice.
LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What are the trappings of your industry?
LET ME SUGGEST THIS...
Start your accountability TODAY. Make a list right here, right now, of three things you DON'T want to become.
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
www.hellomynameisscott.com
Are you the luckiest person you know?Watch Scott's interview on 20/20!
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Labels: be the world's expert on yourself, commitment, consistency, grow bigger ears, you're young enough to be my kid

You have much wisdom for one so young, Scott.
Hey Scott,
You really need to post this blog on all of the internetworking sites. I have seen so many young people posting pictures of themselves in inappropriate pictures and stating inappropriate things...it will all come back to haunt them if they decide to: run for office, become CEO, get married, etc.
Keep up the great blog.
I LOVE your work.
Bisous from Montréal!
Scott,
Sometimes I am so focused on getting somewhere that I forget that there is a cost. I enjoyed your post and although I'm not a young blade, there are lessons there for me too. Thanks for the insight.
Hi Scott! I am a fellow young blade and have spent the last few months contemplating this very question...focusing less on what I'm doing right now and more on if I am building the type of life I want. Thanks for the great insight!
Amanda from KC
Thanks for the suggestions Scott! We launched a Mastermind Group Resources Blog to give entrepreneurs strategies to get the most from their Mastermind Groups and I was pleased to see your post! If you are interested in being a guest blogger on our blog to discuss Mastermind Groups, just email me!
Keep up the great work!
Evan.