Will the Real Tony Robbins Please Stand Up

Below is an embarrassing email I wrote to Sheena five year ago for her 18th birthday. I had met her only a few weeks earlier.

From: Michael Simmons
Date: Thursday, September 28, 2000
To: Sheena Lindahl
Subject: Journey

Sheena,

The more I got to know you, the more I have confidence in you. The definition of success is up to you and is created by your mission statement in life.

"Nobody succeeds beyond his or her wildest expectations unless he or she begins with some wild expectations."
- Ralph Charell

I encourage you to create a document that you check/update twice daily with the following things...

Mission Statement for Life
Your Strengths
Your Weankesses
Your Opportunities
Your Threats
Your Goals (personal, career, interest, behavioral, etc.) For these goals I recommend being specific and putting a date with it accurate to the day or month.

"Know Thyself" - simple but true

When you have a definite plan and your subconscious and conscious fully believe in it then you are on your path to success.

Sheena. You are an eagle. You are very trustworthy, creative, open, independent, nonjudgmental, unselfish, and much more.

[2005 ed note: Robert Frost poems on two roads diverging removed]

On that note. I wish you luck on your journey. Happy 18th Birthday.

Love,
Michael

• Wow! Sheena and I became incredibly close very quickly.
  
• Wow! What was I thinking writing this for Sheena's birthday!
  
• How did I have any friends?
  
• I think this captures the energy, confidence, and paradox of youthful ambition. On the one hand, it borders on being preachy and thinking my way was better than other people's and trying to change them and the world before understanding and appreciating them. On the other hand, this is the same energy that can lead to the Dells, Apples, Kinko's, and Microsofts of the world. All are companies started by college students. It is the same energy that leads to youth leading movements and creating positive change.

  I guess the trick in life is keeping that youthful ambition and energy, but also being humble and not becoming disillusioned by a world that is much different than the one you expected. It makes me a little sad each time I hear an adult talk about their youth and say, "That was when I thought I could change the world."