Never in a million years would 20-year-old me recognize my life.

I was at UCLA as a theater, film, and television major, spending my time changing into wardrobe to go onto the stage.

If future me visited past me and told her in 20 years, she’d be a compliance expert owning a consulting group, younger me would be very confused.

Older me would tell younger me not to worry – the skills being honed will be critical later in life.

I began thinking about my younger self earlier this week when I was interviewed by Nicole Rose and Jason Myers in the “Eight Mindsets Podcast.” We talked about how the skills I learned in my youth and early career influenced what I can do today and the full-circle nature of life.

For instance, in drama school, I spent years studying how to give a compelling monologue on stage. Now, in the pre-and post-Covid world, I give hour-long monologues called keynote speeches all over the world.

One would think that leaving the entertainment industry to go into law would render all of that on-stage training useless. Instead, it’s been a crucial skill set that has allowed my business to grow.

It turns out I brought that skill with me, even after I left the field…

What have you brought with you?

What about you from where you used to be?

Were you ever on a winning sports team? If so, you’ve brought with you the ability to work well with others.

Have you been a coach, Scout leader, or Sunday school teacher? If so, you’ve brought with you leadership skills that will serve you as you head up your team and guide your program.

Were you ever in the school play? Or in a choir? If so, you’ve brought your performance skills to your live-training program.

Coming Full Circle

Life has a funny way of coming full circle. The things you learned or passions you held that don’t seem relevant anymore may come running back in ways you wouldn’t have anticipated.

One of my close friends always loved makeup. After a few years working in legal and compliance for a manufacturing company, she’s now the Director of Compliance for EMEA for a major beauty brand. Her knowledge of the makeup industry, which she had from reading magazines and following trends on social media, helped her to get the job.

You never know when your skills and background will come in handy to help you.

It’s also fun to think that the things you’re working on now may be helpful gifts to you in the future, even if you can’t envision how that could be true now.

The Podcast

Take a listen to the Eight Mindsets Podcast here. Apple Podcast listeners, listen here.

In the first of three episodes, we talk about:

• Being a whole human being in your work and your organization
• The power of being vulnerable and the willingness to be imperfect
• How entrepreneurship is in in the blood
• How chutzpah and being ill-prepared and can work brilliantly when being promoted or starting a business

In episodes 2 and 3, we talk about entrepreneurship and book publishing. Keep on the watch for those!