What Would Your 10-Year-Old Self Think of You Today?

What would the 10-year-old version of you think if they could see your life today?

In this episode, Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara explore a reflection exercise that sparked a powerful conversation among hundreds of veterans during an Azimuth Chat. The question invited participants to step back from the pressure of military transition and recognize just how far they have already come.

The responses revealed stories of perseverance, unexpected accomplishments, meaningful relationships, and resilience through difficult chapters. Scott and Joe discuss why veterans often overlook these parts of their stories while focusing on the uncertainty ahead—and how reconnecting with past evidence of growth can create greater confidence about the future.

The conversation also explains why introspection is such an important part of transition. Before deciding where to live, what job to pursue, or what comes next, veterans benefit from slowing down, connecting the dots in their stories, and identifying the patterns that have helped them navigate change before.

1. Ask what your younger self would think of you today.
Looking at your life through the eyes of your 10-year-old self can reveal progress that is easy to overlook. Accomplishments, relationships, experiences, and personal growth often become more meaningful when viewed from that perspective.

2. Your success is bigger than your résumé.
A younger version of you may be less impressed by titles and achievements than by the relationships you have built, the family you have created, the challenges you have survived, and the person you have become.

3. Difficult chapters are part of the evidence.
Not every reflection shared during the Azimuth Chat was easy or positive. Yet many veterans recognized that their hardest experiences had made them stronger, more capable, and more resilient.

4. Your past contains a pattern you can trust.
Transition can make it feel as though you are starting from zero. You are not. You already have a history of adapting, solving problems, overcoming obstacles, and moving forward. That pattern can become a source of confidence.

5. Fear about the future is often based on something that has not happened.
Veterans can become consumed by questions about employment, finances, location, and identity. While those decisions matter, anxiety about an imagined future can prevent you from recognizing the strengths and evidence already present in your story.

6. Introspection creates clarity for practical decisions.
Reflection is not a distraction from transition planning. It helps veterans make clearer decisions about work, family, purpose, community, and the kind of life they want to build.

7. You do not have to navigate transition alone.
Azimuth Chats give veterans a place to listen, reflect, share, and connect with others who are working through similar questions. Participation can be as simple as joining and listening.

“If the 10-year-old version of you could see yourself today, what would they say?” — Joe Lara

“We don’t really think about our stories that way. We just kind of take it for granted, or we’re looking at the next thing.” — Joe Lara

“The next thing hasn’t even happened yet. It’s make-believe. So what are we nervous about?” — Joe Lara

“Be confident in what you’ve done. Notice the pattern.” — Joe Lara

“You’re not starting from zero.” — Joe Lara

“You already have a good template. Keep it going.” — Joe Lara

“Do not worry about whether people are interested in you, whether you have value, or whether you have what it takes.” — Scott Schimmel

“Getting a little introspection, connecting those dots, and seeing those patterns helps you see the way forward more clearly.” — Scott Schimmel

Take a few minutes today and answer the question for yourself:

If the 10-year-old version of you could see your life today, what would they be proud of, surprised by, or relieved to know?

Then bring your answer to an upcoming Azimuth Chat. Join Scott, Joe, and the Vector Accelerator community for a live conversation about your direction, your story, and what comes next.

Azimuth Chats are held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:00 a.m. Pacific. You can participate, raise your hand to share, or simply keep your camera off and listen.

Learn more and connect with Vector Accelerator at www.vectoraccelerator.org.