I never sacrificed the future for the moment.

I’ve been presented with many opportunities throughout my career. From a young age, I’ve always had a clear and specific vision and direction regarding what I want to accomplish professionally. I’ve also had a confident understanding of the way in which I want to implement business operations and the results I want to achieve. While certain, very credible opportunities have been presented to me, I never sacrificed the future for the moment by accepting opportunities that did not align with my trajectory. I have — perhaps stubbornly — abided by my sense that, while an opportunity may be reasonable and highly profitable, if it’s not aligned with my clear individual direction, it will only ever postpone the fulfillment of my ultimate aim.

I’m open to all things. I don’t view any opportunities I’ve been given as better or worse. But I’ve always been extremely stubborn in the area of making sure I do what I do every day as if I never needed any resources. Fortunately and unfortunately, there’s never going to be an argument that will get me away from that mentality. I can see how that can work to my detriment. But part of accepting myself as an individual is being okay with that.

I hope the young people reading this will be okay with who they are as individuals. Being an individual comes with significant gains, but it also comes with losses. I am comfortable (and content when I’m uncomfortable) with all losses incurred as a result of being myself.