A couple of weeks ago my good friend Cheri Bustos called me to catch up. She is currently running for Congress and I am currently writing a book. I instantly requested she write a letter to her twenty-something self and she agreed. If you are interested in learning more about Cheri you can find her on Facebook. 

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When I cross over into a new decade of my life, I do a personal assessment:

• Have I accomplished all I thought I would by this age?
• Am I where I thought I would be – or should be?
• Where do I want to be at the end of this coming decade?

Since I began doing this exercise in my 30^th year of life and have done so when I turned 40 and then again this past year when I turned 50, it has led to tremendous changes in my life.

It led to a promotion in the first case, to me changing careers in the next decade and moved me to run for Congress in this past year.

Pretty major life-changing events.

Now that I am three decades past my 20-year-old self, and presumably 30 years smarter, more seasoned and better ready to take on my next 30 years, here is what I would tell that younger version of who I am today. Consider it overall advice that would never steer my 20-year-old self – or any 20-year-old for that matter – wrong:

1. Do what you love. If you’re not doing what you love, keep searching for whatever that may be.
2. And do it with people you admire, enjoy being around, can learn from and who respect you.
3. Be appreciative. None of us, not a single one of us, anywhere, anyhow get anywhere without the help of others.
4. Be there. In the moment. Pay attention to the one you’re with. To do otherwise, is rude (and –bonus advice — don’t ever be rude.)
5. No matter where you are or who you are with, you are no better, nor any worse, than anyone else. Don’t act like you are. Be nice to everyone around you. Say their name when you see them. Smile when you see them. It’s not that hard, and it will help lead toward your success. Really.
6. Say yes to opportunities that scare you. It’s another way of saying take risks in your career and in your life – all that are legal, ethical and have the potential of making you better. This is a tough one, but it can make all the difference in your life.
7. Don’t be so darn self-conscious. Sure, others may judge you. But if you want to say something nice to someone, but wonder how they’ll take it, say it anyway.

OK, this list of seven could include so many others. The typical be honest, work hard etc. But at age 20, you should already know about all of those. They go without saying.

Now, go live your next decade, and the one after that and after that and after that by following this note and in a way that you will love life, love yourself, love those around you… and all the while be doing something great.

Cheri Bustos of East Moline, Illinois, is a former reporter, investigative journalist, newspaper editor, health care executive and is currently running for Congress as a Democrat in the 17^th District of Illinois. She is married and has three sons, a grandson and two dogs.