When I was in my 20s, I loved spending time with people in their 60s and 70s. I learned from their stories, admired how they showed up for life, and soaked in their wisdom.

These days, I find myself drawn to 20- and 30-year-olds. There’s something magnetic about the way they think—how they throw themselves into challenges with energy, curiosity, and (sometimes) just enough naivete to make the impossible happen.

And lately, I’ve been wondering:
What if we could merge that bold, fearless energy with the insight we’ve earned over time?

A few weeks ago, I faced a complex situation—one of those where everything feels like a potential landmine. I was caught in a loop of “what-ifs” and “worst-case scenarios.” Then it hit me: What would the 25-year-old version of me do here?

That guy moved fast. Took risks. Asked for forgiveness, not permission. He didn’t always get it right, but he sure didn’t overthink himself into a corner. And believe it or not, he solved a lot of problems—because he acted boldly and course-corrected along the way.

So I let him back in the room.

Here are five ways you can do the same—tapping into your 25-year-old brain while still applying the experience you’ve gathered along the way:

1. Ask: “What would I try if I wasn’t afraid to look foolish?”

Fear of embarrassment is a creativity killer. At 25, you didn’t care. You pitched the wild idea. You launched before you were ready. Sometimes it flopped—but sometimes it took off. That fearless experimentation? It’s still in you.

2. Trade “what if it fails?” for “why not try?”

Experience makes us cautious. Sometimes too cautious. If you’re honest, how many good ideas have you quietly buried because they didn’t feel “safe”? Give your younger self a voice. Let him or her challenge your assumptions and push the envelope.

3. Forget the rules—at least for a minute

At 25, we didn’t know what we couldn’t do. And that ignorance sometimes led to breakthrough. Before you default to what’s worked before, give yourself space to dream like you’ve never done this before. Sometimes wisdom needs a dose of foolishness to get creative again.

4. Surround yourself with younger voices

Innovation rarely comes from the echo chamber. If you’re always in rooms where everyone shares your level of experience, you’re probably not being stretched. Let the fresh perspective of the next generation challenge your comfort zone.

5. Let your wisdom guide the process—but let boldness choose the direction

That’s the secret. You don’t have to choose between youthful energy and seasoned insight. You need both. Let your younger self break the inertia. Let your current self manage the risk. That combination? It’s your competitive advantage.

You’ve earned the right to think bigger. But boldness doesn’t have to fade with age—it just needs to be reawakened.

So next time you’re stuck… ask the 25-year-old you for help. He or she might just have the best idea in the room.