It's unfortunately not possible to go back in time, but you CAN see the impact that moments in your past will have on your future.
This past week, I had two distinctly different opportunities to remind myself of the impact of decisions I made on my journey from high school to career. Both tied back to BBYO, the global Jewish youth organization that taught me valuable leadership skills and fostered lifelong friendships. In short, had an outsized impact on who I am today.
Take Every Opportunity to Celebrate Others
My friend Matt from BBYO was recently elected governor of Delaware. Take a moment to read Matt's speech from inauguration day. His decisions during his teen and early adult years -- like yours will be -- were a mix of planned and unplanned, but resulted in the outcome of exactly where he is meant to be today. The residents of Delaware -- like the many others before them -- will be direct beneficiaries of the path that Matt has chosen to travel. They are fortunate now to cross paths with Matt as I was in my teen years.
This journey started with just me.
Matt Meyer, 76th Governor of the great State of Delaware
Matt's journey is unique and that's what made his inauguration extra special for me.
Take Every Opportunity to Give Back
Later that same week GapWell was fortunate enough to be invited to a regional BBYO convention in Arlington, Virginia. Our mission was to engage a room full of high school seniors from various Mid-Atlantic states in an effort to help set them up for success on their journey from high school to career.
While the game show format was meant to entertain the teens, it also showcased important lessons that we learned launching the GapWell Guide at the start of the Fall 2024 semester:
College is hard and it doesn't magically turn a teen into an adult. A growth mindset makes the biggest difference on one's path forward.
First-year college students overwhelmingly want advice from older students. While parents and university want to help, recent relevant recent experiences shared by older students are way more valuable when communicated in an authentic, vulnerable fashion.
You are exactly where you are meant to be. Spend ample time thinking about what success really means as that will greatly impact what you do, why you do it and who you do it with.
Young adults don't need time travel to be successful. They need thoughtful opportunities to grow, learn, fail, and explore their dreams. That's how they learn to thrive and be happy.
The teen winners of Saturday night's big event received Starbucks or Call Your Mother gift cards (as did their parents) in an effort to further connect these impressive teens over a special treat with the adults in their lives before they begin their journey after high school.
GapWell may have even sent a gift card to the next governor of Delaware. Who knows? Hopefully there will be commercial time travel in 20+ years so someone can hurry up and travel back to let me know. Stay tuned.
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