I came by this quote as I was habitually browsing Instagram in bed in the morning. It made me chuckle.
It's probably true! A few things happened when I was 17.
I wanted very much to be an artist. The junior college I joined had a strong art programme and the school proudly hung huge pieces of oil paintings around campus on every floor. Unfortunately, they only wanted talented artists. They weren't interested in developing talent. I failed the audition.
Now I'm an artist of sorts, using pictures to explain ideas. Maybe this is inspired by my desire when I was 17.
One other thing happened when I was 17.
As part of our group project requirements, we had to deliver a prepared presentation to our classmates and a panel of teachers for assessment.
For the first time in my life I had the spotlight on me in public. It was overwhelming. I stood like an awkward robot, delivered my lined haltingly, and my printed script was hardly readable in my trembling hands. I had the most dreadful performance anxiety.
That version of me in 2010 wouldn't have believed that 14 years later, I would be paid to deliver keynote speeches and training. He'd be amazed.
So yes, it feels like my expertise in communication is something I'm doing for my 17 year old self.
What I struggled with then has become what I enjoy now. So maybe what I struggle with now will be something I enjoy in 10 years.
I didn't set out to become an artist, speaker or writer. It just happened. Maybe the desire for it was so strong that it shaped my path.
Have you experienced a similar effect? Maybe what you struggle mightily with now could become what you enjoy in time.
Good luck :)
I do think most of what we do is fulfilling that inner child's dream - be it at 5,10,15 or 20.
Great story Jun!