The Career Recruiter

If I could go back and have a conversation with my 18-year-old self, it wouldn’t be some Hollywood movie scene with tears and dramatic music. Nope.

It would probably look more like this:

Me (older, wiser, maybe with a few more calluses and a lot more perspective), sitting across from 18-year-old me – head full of big dreams, zero direction, and thinking I had it all figured out.

And I’d say: “You’re not ready. But that’s okay. You don’t need to be. You just need grit.”

So today, this article isn’t just for me – it’s for you. Whether you are 17, 18, or 22 and still trying to figure it out… this is what I wish someone told me when I was standing at the edge of adulthood with a diploma in hand and no real idea of what was next.

Let’s talk success, grit, and growth – the stuff that actually matters.

Success Isn’t a Destination – It’s a Direction

At 18, I thought success meant having it all figured out by the time I reached 25.

College Degree? Check. Nice car? Check. Job with a title that sounded important? Check. Making money and showing my success off in material things? Big Check.

But here’s what I learned: Success isn’t a checklist – it’s a process.

It’s waking up each day and pushing the needle forward, even if it’s just a little. It’s doing the uncomfortable stuff when no one’s watching. It’s choosing discipline over drama.

And here’s the kicker – you don’t need to know exactly what you want to be to start becoming someone.

What matters more than having the “perfect plan” is developing the habits, mindset, and work ethic to show up and grind consistently.

Success isn’t sexy. It’s waking up early. It’s finishing what you start. It’s surrounding yourself with people who push you higher.

I used to think I had to know my career path before I made a move. Now I know the key was just moving with purpose.

Hard Work Beats Talent – Every. Single. Time.

When I was 18, I thought talent was everything.

You are either born with it or you are not, right? Wrong.

I’ve watched naturally talented people quit when it got hard. And I have seen the so-called “average” guy rise to the top because he refused to stop.

Let me tell you something:

Grit outperforms gift 10 out of 10 times.

It’s not about how smart, athletic, or confident you are at 18. It’s about how much fight you’ve got when things don’t go your way.

Want to grow? Learn to do hard things – even when you don’t feel like it.

Want to stand out? Show up early, stay late, and give your best when no one’s clapping.

Grit means failing and showing up again. It means hearing “no: and not letting it define you. It means putting your ego aside and asking, “How do I get better?” That mindset? It’s rare. And it’s the #1 predictor of long-term success.

Growth Happens Outside the Comfort Zone

Here’s a cold hard truth: Nothing grows in comfort.

When I was 18, I wanted everything to be easy. I wanted the reward without the risk. The glory without the hard work and grind.

But the best things in life – the strongest relationships, the most rewarding careers, the biggest moments of clarity – they all come after I stepped into discomfort.

• Boot camp didn’t feel comfortable.
• Leading people didn’t feel comfortable.
• Failing in front of others didn’t feel comfortable.

But every single time I leaned into those moments, I grew. Not just as a Marine – but as a Man.

Growth is awkward. It’s messy. It’s usually painful.

“You don’t become your best self by staying safe – you become your best self by pushing boundaries.”

Discipline > Motivation

At 18, I waited for motivation to strike like lightning.

Spoiler alert – it rarely does.

I’d start a new goal full of excitement, and then… life would happen. I’d sleep in. I’d skip the workout. I’d tell myself, “I’ll start again Monday.”

But here’s the truth:

Motivation is a mood. Discipline is a decision.

You will not always feel like showing up. You will not always feel like doing the work. But if you train yourself to act based on commitment – not emotion – you win.

Discipline is built, not born. And the more you practice it, the easier it becomes to follow through – no matter how you feel.

If I could give 18-year-old me one superpower, it wouldn’t be strength or speed. It would be unshakable discipline.

Because once you master that, everything else falls into place.

Your Environment Shapes Your Future

I used to think I could hang with anyone and still become who I wanted to be.

Wrong again.

You can’t outwork a toxic environment.

If your friends don’t push you, challenge you, or support your growth – you need new friends.

If you’re surrounded by people who settle, guess what? You will too.

When I joined the Marine Corps, I found myself surrounded by driven, focused, motivated people who didn’t care where you came from – they cared about how hard you were willing to work.

And that environment? It raised my standards. Fast.

You rise to the level of your circle. So choose your circle wisely.

No One’s Coming to Save You – And That’s a Good Thing

At 18, I thought success would find me if I was “good enough.”

But the truth is: No one is coming to hand you your dreams.

Not your parents. Not your teachers. Not your boss. Not a recruiter like me.

The future belongs to those who take ownership of it. That might sound heavy – but it’s actually incredibly freeing.

You don’t need permission to be great. You just need to choose it. Daily. No more blaming. No more waiting. No more hoping for a shortcut.

You are the author of your life – and every day is a blank page.

Final Thoughts: If I Could Say One Thing to You at 18…

It’s this:

Don’t chase easy. Chase growth.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need a 10 year plan. You just need the courage to start.

Show up with heart. Stay in the fight longer than others. Own your future.

And if you ever find yourself thinking, “I want to grow. I want to lead. I want to become the best version of myself – but I’m not sure how…”

Then let’s talk.

Because that’s exactly what we do in the Marine Corps.

We take young men and women – uncertain, unproven, and hungry – and we build warriors. Leaders. Professionals.

We build people who don’t just survive life. They own it.

Want to talk about what your future could look like? Shoot me a message. No pressure – just a real conversation.