Dear Future-Vincent,

I often think about you. After all, it’s only normal that I think about who I want to be.

By now, I’m sure you are even more attractive than ever because of course, you are only getting better with age. You handsome devil! Oh, I hope you still say that too! “Handsome devil.”

Are you married? Are you a dad? I know how you were back in 2013, thinking that you’ll never be either because you simply don’t want the responsibilities, but people change.

Do you still read James Altucher’s blog for influence? In fact, that’s where I got the idea for this letter! I wonder if you and 2030 James hang out together. You probably do.

I bet you still watch “Doctor Who.” Have they made a TARDIS yet? If so, why haven’t you gone back to visit me yet? Maybe I’ll see you in 2014 when you think I’m ready. I’ll be waiting, Vincent.

You were right. Arizona seems to have been the change I needed. You really made a lot out of the change and proved your adaptability.

Do you remember the excuses you made before you started Self Stairway? Ha, then you ran out of excuses and had to jump in with both feet. 2013 taught me that making excuses gets you nowhere and that taking the chance can really jumpstart your life.

I wonder if you still have the same philosophy on life. I’m sure you’re 1000x wiser than I am now.

I also hope you keep in touch with the people who taught and influenced you the most. Hell, I hope you’re still looking for mentors all over the place, learning from as many positive influences as you can!

What are you like, Vincent? I am still working on improving myself every day through daily self-reflection. Here are some of the things I hope you’ve fully internalized by 2030; the traits of who I want to be.

Don’t be afraid of being different

Back in 2010 and even earlier than that, you cared a lot about what others thought. You weren’t yourself because you were so scared of not being accepted.

Then you met great mentors, you established strong bonds, and you found that being different is not so bad. You were living life happily and it didn’t matter if you were different.

You learned that being different makes life more interesting and that people are drawn to genuine personalities. Continue to be genuine and be interested in others, because I know you LOVE learning about other people. Most people aren’t like that, so keep being different.

Besides, it’s no fun being a fake. Too many people are fake, not enough people are genuine, and you are the only one out of millions who aren’t afraid of who they really are. Keep at it and remember how to be yourself.

Don’t let your friends go

You’ve got a great, “overpowered” group that you’ve had since 2007. Great friends are hard to find and I hope you send them letters, give them hugs, and visit them often if you aren’t already living with them in 2030.

Your friends determine how you turn out and it’s definitely true that in 2013, I would be nowhere near the person that I am today.

Keep surrounding yourself with great friends, expand your network, and grow the circle. Don’t stop making friends, Vincent. I know how much friendship means to you. Don’t let them go, ever.

Trust and be genuinely interested in others

Maybe the culture is different in 2030, but I’m sure you’re still doing your best to trust others, help strangers, and that you spread happiness through all the little things you do.

You guys probably have fancy hover-cars now, but if not, I hope you give change to the homeless out on the street corners. Most people drive by them because they think those people only want to buy drugs, but you know better than to make assumptions. Besides, now that it is 2030, you’re probably a billionaire or something.

Do you still smile at strangers when there’s eye contact? You know how happy that makes people. I’m sure even people in 2030 feel invisible sometimes and perhaps all it takes is a small “Hello,” to make their day.

Hopefully you are still a good listener because you know how important it is to be a good active listener.

You’re probably an incredibly busy person, Future-Vincent, so I’ll leave you alone now. I really hope if you have a TARDIS then you are getting ready to visit me in 2013. If not, that’s okay. You’re probably out saving the world.

Maybe you’re writing an article on 2030-Self Stairway about what you’d write about to Past-Vincent in 2013.

I hope you’re a greater person than I am and that personal growth never stops. I hope you’re the person who I want to be.

Sincerely yours,

Vincent

Join the discussion and write some goals down for 2030-You.