Ask HN: What one thing would you tell your younger self?

Assuming you mean some general life advice sort of thing, and not something like "The Giants beat the Patriots in the SuperBowl, bet on the G-men" or something, then I'd say:

"Don't overvalue the whole 'good things come to people who wait' thing. Be really f%!#ng aggressive in going after what you want, life is short, don't wait around."

or something to that effect.

Be weirder.

Grades and external validation (from school, parents, friends) don't matter that that much. Concentrate on doing what you enjoy and learning what you are passionate about.

It's like the guy said in "The Graduate" when asked for career advice: just one word, "plastics".

For my younger self, the word I'd use would be "smartphones".

Learn from success, not failure.

Most, by far, of the stuff you think matters really doesn't.

Acquire the habit of finishing stuff, dammit.

Finally, not only is life short, it's shorter than you think.

Read what a Skinner Box is. Realize that playing Runescape (I know, I know) is disturbingly Pavlovian.

Compile your first program earlier, because from there the slopes keep getting better, and the peaks have nicer views.

I would watch and draw inspiration from Steve Job's 'Vision of the world': http://youtu.be/UvEiSa6_EPA

'Everything around you that you call life, was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it. You can influence it. You can build your own thing that other people can use'

Great Idea!

"Don't be afraid of being different - What seems now like a curse will be your biggest gift in some years"

Study physics, get lots of women, gamble, produce good science, travel, party hard, math first, don't listen to too many people.

Buy AAPL

Be excellent. Worry about yourself. If people don't like you, it's not about you, it's about them. Just focus on being the best you can be and you will be successful, happy, and have a ton of friends. Just be excellent.

It's not just about how hard you work, it's about the decisions you make.

Also - don't be impatient.

I wouldn't tell myself anything. My life is far from perfect, but I wouldn't exchange it for some unknown life as a result of receiving some cryptic advice from future-me. I know that sounds like a cop out, but I honestly feel that way. I value the mistakes I've made as much as I do the triumphs. I don't think you can "advise" away mistakes in a way that provides the same value.

I am 21 now, but I would tell my 18 year old self to spend less time reading reddit/digg and start building more stuff.

And also, finish your projects and focus!

If you think life is tough now, you ain't seen nothing yet!!

Be quiet. Listen more. Your dad is not a jerk.

Learn more of/from the people you love, they won't be around forever. Get out of broken relationships of any kind sooner. Do more social sports. Make a bit more of whatever, rather than learning more about it.

Don't live for yourself

"Don't stuck in relationships just because is it comfortable." and "Don't stay in second tier cities."

Social skills are the most important skills. Strive to improve them. A well-connected likable person goes farther than a skilled one.

You know how you are the only one of your friends who knows how to use img tags on myspace? Learn web development and quit myspace.

Stop underestimating yourself.

Don't buy that house!

Don't be complacent, either in work or in pleasure.