If I could go back in time and sit across from my 20-year-old self — wide-eyed, restless, impatient, and quietly ambitious — I’d start with this: you don’t have to have it all figured out. And you never truly will. But if you stay curious, work hard, and most importantly, stay kind — you’ll be just fine.
You’re probably wondering if the path you’ve chosen is the right one. You’re studying hard, thinking about your future, worried about whether it will all pay off. Here’s the truth: the right path isn’t a single road — it’s the way you walk it. You’ll take detours, stumble, pivot, and sometimes get stuck. But each one of those moments will shape you far more than the goals you’re chasing now.
I want to talk to you about career first — since I know that’s what keeps you up at night. At 20, you think success is a straight ladder. It’s not. It’s a jungle gym. Sometimes you climb, sometimes you swing sideways, and occasionally you fall off completely. That’s okay. In fact, those sideways and downward moves will teach you more than the promotions or the applause.
You’ll spend years at Microsoft and Yahoo!, living in different cities, meeting brilliant minds, and leading teams bigger than you thought you’d ever manage. You’ll feel out of place sometimes. Impostor syndrome? Yeah, that voice will come and go. But keep showing up. Keep learning. People will notice your resilience more than your résumé.
And when you come back to the region — when you co-found 7awi — it’ll feel like starting from zero again. You’ll doubt yourself. You’ll wonder if you’ve made a huge mistake walking away from corporate comfort. But here’s the thing — building something from scratch will become the most rewarding challenge of your life. You’ll wear every hat: strategist, marketer, writer, salesperson, even janitor sometimes. That chaos? That’s what growth feels like.
Here’s what I wish you knew then: people matter more than strategy. Hire smart. Hire kind. Build a team that wants to win together. And when someone believes in you — a mentor, a friend, a stranger even — remember to pay it forward. So many people gave you second chances and opened doors you didn’t even know existed. Be that person for someone else.
Now let’s talk about life — not just work. I know you think you have time. But the truth is, time is your most fragile currency. You’ll have incredible experiences — travel, partnerships, wins — but you’ll also miss moments. You’ll miss weddings, you’ll lose touch with some people you loved deeply, and you’ll regret not being present enough.
Make space for the things that don’t scale: dinner with family, long walks without a phone, listening, really listening, when someone opens up to you. Those things won’t show up on LinkedIn, but they’ll shape your character far more than titles ever will.
Also, protect your health. Your energy is your fuel, not caffeine or adrenaline. There will be a phase when sleep is a luxury and 16-hour days feel heroic. They’re not. Burnout is real, and it takes a toll. Learn to say no early. Learn to delegate. You don’t have to do it all to prove your worth.
And about failure, embrace it early. Some of your ideas will flop. Some partnerships won’t work. Some people will disappoint you. It’s all part of the package. Don’t let pride keep you from asking for help. Don’t pretend to have answers when you don’t. Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.
And don’t chase perfection. Launch things before they’re ready. Learn in public. Improve as you go. You’ll never feel “ready,” so stop waiting for that feeling. Take the leap.
You’re going to experience loneliness too, and that’s something no one talks about enough. Leadership is lonely. Building something is lonely. Even being different, thinking differently can feel isolating. But know this: it’s also what will set you apart. Find your tribe. Find people who challenge you but want you to win. And hold onto them.
You’ll learn — sometimes the hard way — that not everyone clapping for you wants you to succeed. Some people will copy you, block you, criticize you. Keep going anyway. Let your work speak. Let your values speak louder.
One more thing: take risks. The biggest breakthroughs in your life won’t come from playing it safe. Move countries. Start a company. Say yes to the crazy idea. Speak up in that meeting. You’ll never regret trying. But you will regret not trying.
Oh, and invest early — not just in stocks or property — but in yourself. Read more. Write more. Travel with purpose. Learn to build things that matter. And invest in people — they are your greatest ROI.
Fast forward to today: you’ll have built a media group that impacts millions. You’ll have a team you respect and that respects you back. You’ll have a kitten named BonBoneh who makes you laugh after long days. You’ll still be learning, still curious, still restless. And that’s the best part — that fire never really goes out.
But here’s what I’m most proud of — you’ll never lose your sense of humor, your kindness, or your hunger to build something good. That, more than any title or milestone, is what matters.
So breathe. Work hard. Be kind. Stay curious. And know that it’s okay not to have all the answers. You’re doing better than you think.
-Anas
