You’ve probably heard the phrase many times before:
“Do something today that your future self will thank you for.”
What does that really mean?
It means that every single decision that you make today will affect your future. Invest in yourself today and make conscious decisions to learn and improve yourself so that down the road, when you look back on life, you will thank yourself for the decisions that you’ve made today.
When I hear this phrase, it reminds me of my high school job because I absolutely loved my job then and after all these years I’m still happy that I made that choice. This one choice that I am forever grateful for is that instead of working at a clothing store like most kids did that time, I worked part-time at the local bookstore.
Obvious pros of working in a bookstore:
- Cashier experience.
- Sales experience.
- Interpersonal skills.
- Substantial employee discounts on all books & magazines at B&N.
- Free uncorrected versions of upcoming books.
- Free old books & magazines (Not often but there are chances).
- Constant restocking and alphabetizing of books, but I learned a little bit of EVERYTHING scanning through books, and opened up my worldly views.
- I am super thankful because this experience made reading a lifetime hobby for me.
- Working in an enjoyable environment (the smell of fresh books & patient co-workers who are also passionate about books).
- The fact that everyone who comes in is a super friendly reader (ok maybe 99%).
- For those who aspire to become a writer, there are chances to meet authors and know the industry.
- For those who already published a book, you can recommend your own book to readers.
- Always know what’s best to read because tons of people will come on the same day asking for the book Oprah just recommended.
We all know that our future depends on what we do to our present. So, if you don’t shape your present now, you cannot witness the desired result in your future. What kinds of results do you want in your future life? What seeds are you planting?
- Invest in yourself!
- Be who you are.
- Decide what kind of life you want and design it accordingly.
- Keep learning!
- Get rid of what doesn’t align with your life right now
- Choose who to take with you on your journey in life.
Now that I have this podcast, I am so thankful for my younger elementary school self to have signed up to be a storyteller at the local radio station.
Now that I am an unshakable optimist, I am so thankful for each and every negative circumstance that came into my life to teach me a lesson and practice my resilience.
Now that I coach amazing women on growing their business, I am so thankful for the naive young me for the failed businesses that I started in the past so I know what doesn’t work and what not to do.
Now that I have a coaching business, I am so thankful to younger myself for investing in a coach.
Now to end this episode, I challenge you to make a list of important events that happened in your life and next to them journal out what you have learned and why you are thankful for these experiences. Happy journaling and continue to make decisions and take actions that you will thank yourself for tomorrow.
Lucy Liu is a global business strategist and certified life coach helping high achieving
women in life transitions unstuck, kiss overwhelm bye, cultivate rockstar confidence, see clarity, reach dream goals, and live a joyful fulfilling life! She is an unshakable optimist, wife, mother, easy-going entrepreneur, certified #IamRemarkable women empowerment workshop facilitator, and international motivational speaker. She is the author of two international bestselling books and also inspires as the host of her weekly podcast The Lucy Liu Show, which is the fueling station for your mind, business and life. She has been featured in Medium, VoyageLA, Elephant Journal, ThriveGlobal, FOX, CBS, NBC and dozens of other media outlets. 
