“What’s the one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?”

I asked the 86-year old man sat next to me on a long-haul flight.

I overheard him talking to his wife, and after realizing we share the same mother tongue, I was tempted even more to ask him that question.

He looked me in the eye, smiled, and went on for next hour or two.

And I gladly listened…

Be honest.

Wish for others what you want for yourself.

Be the one who picks his teammates; not the quiet one who gets picked! Speak up and voice your thoughts.

Marry wisely. It’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make.

Don’t let failures stop you from trying again (and again).

Journal. Write every day. And write anything you remember from the past.

One conversation or one interaction could change the course of your life for better. Have faith.

“Be honest”, he repeated.

Read and listen to as much good content as you can—Do this often and great ideas will keep flowing to you.

The more you read the more you know. The more you listen the more you understand.

Don’t smoke. Avoid alcohol. Your future self will thank you for it.

Make the money first, then spend it. Don’t spend more than you can afford.

So much of what he said resonated with me.

So much of it I knew, but had forgotten.