What I Wish I Knew: Reflections Across Manhood’s Journey
- Marcus D. Taylor, MBA
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
As a mentor to many—from middle schoolers to college students and even mid-career professionals—I've often found myself reflecting not only on what I’ve gained but on what I wish I’d known when I stood where they now stand.
Middle School: The Struggle for Self-Identity
In junior high, the world began to look different. I was stepping out from under the full dependency of childhood and into the messy realm of self-discovery. I had decisions to make—some good, some bad, and some indifferent. If there was one thing I needed then, it was clarity about who I was. Not who others said I should be, not who I was supposed to imitate—but who I truly was.
And just as important: how to handle those who didn't accept that identity. I wish someone had told me then that acceptance from others wasn’t required for authenticity. That standing firm in your values, even if misunderstood, was more important than blending in.
High School: The Value of Preparation and Critical Thinking
In high school, creativity was my gift—but what I lacked was preparation for life beyond the classroom and sports field. I needed someone to ask: “What are you doing to prepare for the world you’ll walk into?” My mind was expanding, but I wasn’t trained to think critically about what came next. If I had been introduced to strategic thinking and long-term planning—beyond just college brochures—I could’ve shaped my future with more intention and less reaction.
Young Adulthood: Consequences and Emotional Intelligence
The transition from high school to adulthood was a seismic shift. Suddenly, actions had real-world consequences. Getting into a fight no longer meant detention—it meant jail. And jail meant a record. And a record meant explaining your past for the rest of your life.
What I needed then was emotional intelligence. That term wasn’t common at the time, but the concept would’ve changed everything. I fought—too often, and too carelessly. Not because I was a bad person, but because I hadn’t learned to regulate my emotions. I reacted. I didn’t reflect. It was lazy decision-making disguised as toughness.
Early to Mid-Career: Learning Balance Over Hustle
By the time I was building a career, I wish I had known how to balance ambition with connection. Yes, I was chasing success. But I often neglected what truly mattered: time with my family, moments with real friends, the intangible joys that don't show up on a résumé.
Success is not evil. Ambition isn’t the enemy. But when the pursuit of achievement clouds your ability to be present, to love well, and to find peace in the now, it becomes a burden disguised as a goal.
Today: Turning Knowledge into Wisdom
Now, as a mentor and a leader, I share not just what I’ve learned, but what I’ve lived. The knowledge gained from years of missteps, triumphs, and introspection is slowly being shaped into something deeper—wisdom. And that wisdom teaches me not just how to guide others, but how to listen, to observe, and to walk with people through the very stages I once stumbled through.
The Lifelong Loop of Learning
Life is a continuous loop of learning. And if we’re honest, some of our greatest growth happens when we have the courage to discuss the uncomfortable. When we speak on things we’ve buried. When we admit we don’t have all the answers. Because only then can we start asking the right questions.
Too many people measure life through the lens of money. But what's wealth when you’re emotionally bankrupt? What’s fame when you’re lonely? What’s success when you’ve never understood yourself?
We often plan for wealth—but forget to plan for wellness. We plan to rise—but not how to remain grounded once we do.
If I could offer just one truth to the young men coming behind me, it would be this:
Become rich in understanding before you become rich in possessions.
And never forget: your identity, your wisdom, and your legacy will matter far more than your title, your car, or your salary.
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