To My Younger Self.

First of all, I want to be clear in that your journey is one of your most valuable assets. Your journey can be held accountable because it cannot lie. Your journey can be used for or against you and so today's FinTech With Liz #FTWL is all about how you can take ownership over your journey, lead the narrative and inspire along the way.

Although this is titled as a post to my younger self, I'd like for all my readers to look beyond the surface. There are many young people out there: young in age, young in career, young in parenting... the list goes on. Whether you're 18 or 73, I'm sure some of these tips will resonate with you to draw upon the fearlessness needed to embark on new journeys without neglecting the journey you've just travelled...

DON'T Believe Your Lies.

I wanted to start with a heavy one. The same mind that creates all the innovative and creative ideas the world has ever seen, is the same mind that will play a number of tricks on you on a daily basis when it comes to executing those awesome ideas. Don't believe your lies. I've learnt through experiences and through my amazing mentors (notably Onyi Goldman Nwike) that the way to do this is to establish what your truth is because your truth should trump all things. I was never taught financial literacy, nor was I consciously interested in the world of technology but here I am, declaring myself as a thought leader in the space. Thoughts like "you have no experience", "you're not smart enough" or "you're just not cut out for this" are the lies I chose not to believe and it propelled me upwards and onwards. Lastly, sometimes we can't tell the truths from the lies because lies are deceptive by nature. Resolve to leaning on your mentors and allow them to fulfil their role as "leader". You will be drawn to many people in this world, but some words will grip the core of you and if you still need some help discovering what type of mentor is for you, cling to those that aim to build you up, beside them, as a leader too.

You CAN Do Hard Things.

As an ex-Charlotte Tilbury darling, a quote she'd always share with us is Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway. Some of you may have already read the best seller by Susan Jeffers but that saying alone, goes beyond the words itself. It's a lifestyle to be adopted. Never forget, to become a diamond, you must go through the fire... but don't do it alone if you don't have to. Diamonds are created when high temperatures and high amounts of pressure cause carbon atoms to bond together. If we compare this process to people, we have seen time and time again, when a community has been placed under severe pressure they tend to bond together to create something new, something strong and something valuable for all. It may not seem easy to do, but feel the fear of believing you were meant to be a world-class lawyer and choosing to become something totally different.. like a financial technologist. Lean on the relationships you've worked so hard to establish and it'll be easier for you when the time comes to embrace challenges. It's within those hard places that you will be formed, chiseled and prepared for the next thing you will consider to be "hard".

YOU Are The Occasion.

This may sound arrogant and maybe it is.. but to me, this is the epitome of self-love and also self-regulation. Before all things, you are variable number one. You must be your first cheerleader as well as leader. You must understand that everything begins and ends with you - so take the time to get to know yourself and be unapologetic about that! Your older self will thank you for it! If you do things differently or think in a different way to others, look into that but don't chastise yourself for being different. There is nothing wrong with YOU. In fact, that difference is your USP. If you can remain as true to your authenticity as possible, you become the occasion without even trying. Opportunities will meet you exactly where you are so don't be surprised that you become a FinTech guru in the years to come. You've always been kind of nerdy, inquisitive and an avid learner of new things.

You ARE Being Watched.

Don't shy away from anything that naturally occurs because it is all a part of your journey. You won't notice it now but people from far and wide know you exist and they appreciate that simple fact. With that said, never stop speaking because that's what inspires. Be careful not to live in anxiety because of this though.. remember you are the driver here and the vehicle only goes where you tell it to. With that much power, you can create massive impact, no matter how small you seem which is only if you believe the lie that others are more suited than you are. Within Financial Technology, in a few years to come, the leaders may not necessarily look like you or speak like you but that should not deter you. Knowing that someone else can be moved by your difference is why you go for it and become a pioneer... regardless.

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Liz. #FTWL