As we grow older and wiser, we often wonder how we could have done things differently in our youth. It is important not to blame ourselves, but to vent valuable lessons from those experiences.

In this article, I share eight lessons I would give my younger self—insights gleaned from both successes and missed opportunities, designed to guide anyone seeking to navigate life's complexities with foresight and grace

1. Relax – it will be fine

First and foremost, I would provide for my younger self relax – everything will be really good.

Reflecting on my youth, I was constantly enveloped in worry, a constant companion to my every step. Anxious thoughts about success and whether I would “make it” in life often clouded my mind. But looking back, I realize that those concerns were part of the journey that got me to where I am today. So for me younger self, I would say, take a deep breath; the road ahead may be uncertain, but it will lead you to your destination.

Connected: 4 lessons this entrepreneur wishes she had taught her younger self

2. Travel more

I have traveled a lot as a digital nomad, especially around Southeast Asia. However, I believe it had the potential to do much more. At the time, I felt like I could do less work while traveling and my business was suffering, but the truth is that 49% of digital nomads earn higher incomes than when they were employees.

I will never forget that once inspired by the book Shoe dog, I visited a Japanese networking event in Bangkok in 2017. I was the only guy without a business card. The whole ritual of getting a business card puzzled me, but I thought, “This is so old-fashioned” until someone explained to me that business cards are deeply ingrained in Japanese culture—a practice rooted in over 400 years of cultural history—and still , 74% of Japanese sole proprietors and freelancers use business cards! You can't learn and experience something like this unless you travel!

3. Work on your personal brand

While I invested time in building it, looking back, I see the endless long-term benefits I could have reaped further. A strong personal brand not only accumulates value over time, but also opens many doors, offering opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach. after selling my former blog Thrivemyway, I made good money but lost the cumulative snowball effect of my brand. The website was in full authority mode. Now with my new personal brand Create & Growit will take me at least a year to reach the same level.

4. Start an agency

Building an agency is a great next step when you've already created your personal brand. It is relatively easy to set up (compared to a software business) and profitable to run and sell. Agency businesses are also growing in profits, with 46% of service business owners reporting more than 30% annual growth.

However, running an agency comes with the risk of over-reliance on a single client. Agencies that make a large portion of their annual revenue from one client risk a major crash if the client decides to drop out. To keep your agency sustainable and attractive to investors, diversify your clients and focus on recurring (read “predictable”) revenue.

Connected: I wish I could take this advice as a new entrepreneur

5. Learn to stay focused on tasks

I was working in an airport lounge and managed to complete a large task in just 90 minutes. That's how I learned about the benefits of continuous, focused work and Parkinson's Law. It is essential to develop productivity skills early on, enabling one to multitask efficiently. Interestingly, it takes approx 23 minutes to regain focus on a task after being distracted. Therefore, maintaining concentration while working is essential for effective time management.

6. Flip a website

Reflecting on the past, delving into web page browsing earlier it stands out as a missed opportunity. My experience selling my former blog last year proved the business model of buying, improving and then selling websites for profit. This process involves discovering undervalued websites, increasing their value and selling them at a higher price after a growth period, usually 12 months. I thought I would need a lot of money to buy a functioning website. However, according to statistics, you can buy a startup website up to several hundred dollars.

7. Work at a startup

Looking back, joining startups in my twenties would have been ideal. The high energy of the period is perfect for fast-paced startup life, offering invaluable experiences and networking opportunities. It is a fact that about 20% of new startups shut down within their first year, and 90% of startups fail mainly due to lack of funding, market need and proper execution. Now, my focus has shifted and investing my energy in someone else's risky startup no longer aligns with my priorities.

8. Invest more, optimize taxes earlier

I remember being in a coworking space in 2016, trying to make money freelancing when I overheard a conversation about someone who bought a Ferrari with Bitcoin earnings. I mistakenly assumed that I had missed the opportunity to invest. It wasn't too late. From 2015 to 2023, Bitcoin increased its price by over 173,000%.

This taught me to be more open to new investment opportunities, highlighting that timing can be less critical in fast-moving markets like crypto.

At the same time, I would like to optimize my taxes earlier. I started a small startup with partners and paying taxes early killed it. Many startups do not pay dividends for many years, resulting in a 0% corporate income tax rate. I optimized my taxes four months after our small startup failed.

Connected: Advice 50 business leaders and celebrities would give their younger selves

Reflect on your past with kindness, realizing that every step, even one marked by uncertainty, was crucial in shaping who you are today. Never regret anything or blame your younger self, just use it as a learning experience. And when in doubt, ask yourself: What would my future self advise me to do?