A letter to myself

Aaron. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't go into any specifics. The last 5 years have generally been really good, awesome in fact. But it's not all been rosy. You make lots of mistakes, miss out on numerous opportunities, disappoint a few people, disappoint yourself and much more along the way.

However you grow from these experiences, you learn from them, and they help shape you in to the man I am today. Therefore I won't warn you about anything in particular as I believe they have only made me stronger, but rather let you know that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Here's a few general pointers I've learnt so far along the way that spring to mind;

Dare to dream. In the next five years you'll go on to achieve things far greater than you ever thought was possible, all it takes is the courage to believe in yourself.

Use your passion, your desire to be the best you can be for motivation, not the fear of failure. While only a simple mindset change, once harnessed, it's not only a lot more effective but makes life far more enjoyable.

Don't take time with loved ones for granted, and don't underestimate the importance of friends and family. That's where true happiness comes from.

Give back. Give your time, give your talents, give your experience. It only takes a little bit of extra time here and there and you'll thank yourself for it after.

You're a natural leader. People look up to you more than you think. Remember that sometimes the smallest gestures can make the biggest differences.

"When opportunity knocks, grab it with both hands." Believe it or not you have a mammoth head start in life, make the most of it and don't take anything for granted. Most of the best and most memorable things you end up doing come from taking a risk, and stepping out of your comfort zone. You'll never know if you never try.

And lastly, don't sweat the small stuff. Try to see the bigger picture, once again you'll thank yourself for it later.

Hopefully you find some of this is of value, perhaps it will help you make the most of the next five years of your life. You have a very bright future ahead mate. Enjoy it and good luck.