“I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger”
What I know now would have been so beneficial to know in the past. The lyrics Rod Stewart is singing should ring true with anyone entering their 30s or older; the 20s were too busy establishing a foundation.
Experience
Experience can’t be bought or taught. One needs to live it to gain from it. Luckily, reflection can be powerful and useful, so the value is not lost.
There are no shortcuts
Then again, you’ll still make mistakes. Life isn’t fair. You can’t dwell on the past and you can’t fast-track experience. If you don’t think you’ll be smarter when you’re older, then you’re not engaged and curious about life. And life includes a myriad of experiences. Keeping your options and opinions open to change so you’re not too rigid will allow you to develop.
Start early
Consider my “Young Man’s Game” blog post. The balance of the energy to operate a restaurant/bar and the experience to do so is a conundrum beyond imagination. Accept the fact that knowledge takes experience and time. There is no easy route, so start early.