If you could have a redo of your life, would you make the same decisions? Personally and professionally, would the chapters of your life be similar or would you throw away the book and start over? Would you be a commercial real estate appraiser the second time around? Tough questions for some of us, easy for others.

If you had a do-over, a "life mulligan", what advice would you give yourself? Like in golf, a mulligan is a second chance to perform an action. Whatever your age, what would be the conversation with your younger self? The book, Letters to Me Conversations With A Younger Self, provides insight with business people, artists, teachers, poets and others who revisit a significant event in their life and then speak to their younger self. They describe the stories as it meant to them and how it mattered.

Some stories are full of regret, but most have a respect for the process. Divorce, ill-conceived career choices, the decision to have children, the decision not to have children and so on. Many cite the pressure to "have it all" falling away revealing more important life decisions, such as stories to love ourselves, to seek wisdom and most importantly enjoy the journey.  

No Cliff Notes to its ending but rather like a French film, filled with well described characters with multiple emotional endings, some exuberant others sad. The point is, you don't know the ending to your own story. Even if you're older, your life play book is still unfolding.  If your life is on sleepy auto-pilot then wake up and get back to the passion play that is your life.  

I went to a recent Sykes School of Business event at the University of Tampa to watch billionaire hedge fund manager and Tampa Bay Lighting owner Jeff Vinik and Tom James CEO of Raymond James, a humongous investment firm with revenue of $4.5 billion. Their discussions revealed the keys to their success in business, summarized in three main ingredients. 1. They are both wicked smart; 2. Both are uber motivated; and 3. Both had access and leveraged their Ivy League education. This trifecta of factors coalesced to generate a spectacular career for both men.

Their stories got me thinking about my life story. Did I really want to be a billionaire? I didn't have the Ivy League stuff; I guess I'm fairly smart and motivated. I wondered what my long-term career choice as a commercial real estate appraiser says about me? As I listened to Mr. Vinik and Mr. James speak, I had no jealously since I (think) I know what it takes to make that kind of success. I concluded that it takes a lot more focus, time, effort and ability to change more than I was willing to give in my professional career.

As I listened to more details of the tapestry of their lives, the more I realized we can stare at ourselves in the face and understand where we are today. Like the book title, Wherever You Go, There You Are, it can be an awkward feeling of self-awareness at first, but facilitates reminiscing about your life choices that brought you where you are today, like reading this newsletter in front of your desk with appraisals or reviews recently completed, underway and yet to be started.  

Reading or listening to other peoples' collection of stories sometimes provides insight to "finding yourself." Others' stories can sometimes cause us to pause, at least for a second, to wonder about our life choices. The ones you have made, the ones you are making and even the decisions you are avoiding (which bring their own set of issues.) Asking questions can sometimes help us imagine a better life and perhaps instill courage to take risks personally and professionally. "Popping the hood" is a great start to the beautiful work of introspection.

Your subconscious knows life starts at the end of your comfort zone. It's not always fun to go there and it takes effort. I don't have the answers for you, but sometimes the art of awareness and ultimately happiness is in asking the right questions. However, you can't start a new chapter in your life if you keep re-reading the last one. After all, it's your book; edit your life chapters as you see fit. Pretend you never took the stroke and forgive yourself, ignore the bad decisions. Take the mulligan and move on.