40 Lessons at 40: What I'd Tell My 20-Year-Old Self

I just turned 40.

Looking back at my 18-year-old self - the one walking onto Georgia Tech's campus, convinced I had it all figured out - I realize how much I didn't know.

Here are the lessons that would have saved me years of unnecessary stress:

Don't ask for permission to do great things. If you're waiting for someone to tell you it's okay to start that company or make that career change, you'll be waiting forever.

Your parents want the best for you, but their path might not be yours. They came from a generation where education plus stable job equaled success. For me, change led to growth.

Study computer science, not computer engineering. You don't want to spend your life in an office or a lab. You'll love building products and experiences for people.

Embrace change and get comfortable being uncomfortable. It's the best way to grow. Every pivot, every failure, every "this isn't working" moment is data.

Lean into exercise - it will be your therapy. Your best friendships will come from being fit. Soccer and weights will keep you sane through tough times.

It's okay if everyone doesn't like you. This will be hard because being well-liked feels necessary. But some people just won't, for reasons real or imagined.

Take your mental health seriously. Don't bottle everything down. Seek therapy regularly. It's not weakness - it's maintenance.

Even when you achieve what seemed impossible, it won't satisfy you. You can have an amazing wife and 4 wonderful kids, a successful startup, and work at Google. There's always another mountain. Find inner peace, not external validation.

Your family needs you present, not just successful. Those moments with your kids go by faster than any sprint or deadline.

Work-life balance is an ideal, but sometimes you have to live unbalanced. Do it for short periods only, then rebalance quickly.

Burnout is real. As you get older, you can't just push through. Sustainable pace beats heroic effort every time.

Prioritize sleep. That's it. That's the message. Everything else falls apart without it.

Don't beat yourself up when you make mistakes. This too shall pass. Learn from it and move forward.

Cherish life - you'll lose people close to you sooner than expected. Time with loved ones isn't infinite.

You will be an example to so many. Never forget that responsibility. Your actions ripple further than you think.

Travel extensively. Learn languages. Don't be afraid to sound stupid speaking them. Cultural curiosity will serve you in ways you can't imagine.

Eat real food. Natural proteins, healthy fats, fiber, vegetables, fruits. Just because your body fat is low doesn't mean you're healthy.

You will be rich beyond your wildest dreams in family. Four kids who think you're a superhero? That's wealth money can't buy.

Trust your gut. Usually you're onto something when you follow your instincts.

If I could tell my 18-year-old self one thing, it would be this: slow down.

Life moves fast, but you don't have to rush through it. As Bad Bunny says, "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" - I should have taken more photos. The marathon isn't about reaching the finish line faster - it's about being present for the journey.

What's one lesson you wish you could tell your younger self?

Originally posted on LinkedIn on June 5, 2025