Hey, 25-year-old, LeBrun. We need to talk.
It’s my birthday in 2026, and like any self-respecting adult who’s now closer to retirement than college, I’ve been feeling reflective. So, I thought I’d put together some advice to my younger self.
As I look back over the years, these are the things I wish someone had handed you in a sealed envelope back when you thought you had it all figured out.
Spoiler alert: You do NOT have it all figured out.
But don’t worry, you’re going to be just fine. And here are some tips I’ve learned along the way to make your life a little brighter and sweeter.
Stop Bringing Work Home
Look, I know you feel guilty leaving the office when your to-do list is still breathing. But here’s a truth bomb: consistently taking work home isn’t a badge of honor.
It’s a red flag.
It usually means the workday isn’t structured well, there are too many distractions, or you’re not letting your very capable teammates carry their share of the load.
Learning to own your calendar is honestly one of the most powerful work-life balance tips I can pass along. Guard your time during the day like it’s your last slice of pizza. And trust your team. They’re good. Let them be good.
The emails can wait until morning, I promise.
Build Something for Yourself
Remember those punch cards you made for your lemonade stand customers at age 11 or 12? The ones for people who couldn’t possibly drink ten lemonades in a single afternoon? (That was genius, by the way).
You were always an entrepreneur at heart. Wo why are you spending all your best ideas and energy building things for someone else’s organization?
You’re going to pour years into building systems, solving problems, and growing teams for organizations that will reward you with a thank-you email and maybe a gift card.
Use the extra time you’ll have at night when you’re not working for “the man” and start building something for yourself — a business, a consulting practice, a creative venture — something you own. Take risks on yourself. Follow those dreams.
Building something for yourself isn’t selfish; it’s smart. And honestly, you’ll be better at your day job because of it.
Find the Producer Role and Stay There
Here’s something that took you way too long to figure out: you’re a producer. Not the movie star, not just the director (although you do like calling the shots) — the producer. You’re at your best when you’re staring down an “impossible” challenge, breaking it into pieces, pulling together the right people, and making something out of nothing.
The jobs where you get to build from scratch? Those are your sweet spot. The jobs where someone hands you a fully formed machine and says, “just keep it running?” Those will drain you in ways that a nap won’t fix.
Be picky. Look for roles that let you create, build, and lead. And don’t let anyone talk you out of that.
Learn to Rest Before You’re Forced To
Okay, here’s where I get a little serious with you, buddy. You’re great at being present for your wife and your kids, even with being on the road a lot (more on that in a minute). But you’re not so great at taking care of you.
Here’s a hot take: going on a hike once in a while does not make you “physically active.” I’m talking about making your health and wellness a real, recurring priority.
Exercise. Nutrition. Sleep. The whole package. Especially sleep!
Investing in yourself physically is one of the best decisions you can make, and the sooner you start, the better you’ll feel. And the more energy you’ll have for everything else on this list. Your future self (hi, it’s me) will thank you profusely.
Make Lifelong Learning a Real Lifestyle
You’re already chasing certifications and professional development like it’s a competitive sport. That’s great for your career, but you need personal growth and development as well.
Because here’s the thing: you’ve lived a somewhat sheltered life, and the world is enormous and fascinating and full of stuff you don’t know yet.
Read widely. Be curious about things that others your age aren’t naturally interested in. Believe it or not, you’re going to love reading about history, philosophy, biographies, and even economics. So, start the learning journey now.
And speaking of journeys, make sure you travel. Like really travel!
You’re going to be lucky enough to have work take you to nearly every state and set foot on five continents through your career. (I’m still hoping you make it to Australia someday, mate)! Don’t just go through the motions or take this for granted. Soak it in.
And make personal travel with your family a priority too. It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give your kids — new perspectives, new experiences, a bigger understanding of the world.
Lifelong learning habits aren’t just about books and courses. Sometimes the classroom is a street market in another country.
So, there it is, younger me. The five things I’d tell you if I could. You’re going to do a lot of things right — and a few things hilariously wrong — but you’ll get there. And on our birthday this year, I’m grateful for every lesson, even the ones that took a little longer to land.
Now put the laptop away, go outside for a run (yes, your knees can handle it if you wear knee braces), and then call your future wife…after 9:00 pm, of course, when it’s free on your cellphone plan.
Enjoy the next few years. It’s going to be a wild ride!