Why We Love It:

As believers in out-of-the-box feeling, we appreciate Seelig’s insight into creativity. Creativity isn’t limited to artists; it’s essential for problem-solving and innovation. Seelig emphasizes the importance of thinking outside the box, challenging assumptions, and exploring unconventional solutions. Additionally, she emphasizes that education doesn’t end with formal schooling. Seelig advocates for lifelong learning, curiosity, and adaptability.

In business as in life, building relationships is crucial. Connecting with others opens doors and provides diverse perspectives. Along that vein, she encourages readers to recognize unexpected opportunities and seize them. Sometimes, the most remarkable chances come disguised as problems. All told, What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 is a comprehensive guidebook for young adults and emerging entrepreneurs. Seelig’s insights provide a roadmap for personal and professional growth, helping readers navigate the unpredictable roads of life.

Favorite Quotes:

“There’s a big difference between trying to do something and actually doing it. We often say we’re trying to do something-losing weight, getting more exercise, finding a job. But the truth is, we’re either doing it or not doing it.” – Tina Seelig

“First, opportunities are abundant. At any place and time you can look around and identify problems that need solving….regardless of the size of the problem, there are usually creative ways to use the resources already at your disposal.” – Tina Seelig

“We hire people who have experience not just because of their successes but also because of their failures. Failures offer learning opportunities and increase the chance that you won’t make the same mistake again.” – Tina Seelig

Book Jacket Summary:

Inspiring readers all over the globe to reimagine their future, this revised and updated edition of What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 features new material to complement the classic text.

Major life transitions such as leaving the protected environment of school or starting a new career can be daunting. It is scary to face a wall of choices, knowing that no one is going to tell us if we make the right decision. There is no clearly delineated path or recipe for success. Even figuring out how and where to start can be a challenge.

As head of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program, Tina Seelig’s job is to guide her students as they make the difficult transition from the academic environment to the professional world—providing tangible skills and insights that will last a lifetime. Seelig is a wildly popular and award-winning teacher and in What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 she shares with us what she offers her students –provocative stories, inspiring advice, and a big dose of humility and humor.
 
These pages are filled with captivating examples, from the classroom to the boardroom, of individuals defying expectations, challenging assumptions, and achieving unprecedented success. Seelig throws out the old rules and provides a new model for reaching our potential.  We discover how to have a healthy disregard for the impossible; how to recover from failure; and how most problems are remarkable opportunities in disguise.