Last weekend, former first lady, Michelle Obama, spoke at the United States of Women Summit, where she had some pretty strong words for American women. On the one hand, she was critical of female voters in light of the the 2016 presidential election. However, Obama also opened up about being a mom and her advice for daughters, Sasha and Malia. And her three no-nonsense tips are perfect for young women all over the world, too.

Life is practice

According to Obama, life starts now.  She shared  that “You are practicing who you’re gonna be…You have to start practicing who you want to be. You want to be dependable? Then you have to be dependable. If you want people to trust you, then you have to be trustworthy.”

Find good mentors

In her conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross, Obama had the audience laughing when she said “I try to tell Sasha and Malia, do not go to other 14-year-olds for information, ‘cause all you all are dumb. Come talk to me…You all know nothing.”

So, if you want to learn and grow, go to people who are wiser, smarter and have more life experience than you.

You don’t have to be perfect

While Obama supports women who choose to get married and have kids, she also wants women to know that this isn’t the perfect ideal we should all feel pressured to obtain. She went on to say, “I still think that our girls are taught to be perfect. They still dream of weddings, and the security of the Prince Charming coming.”