I will admit that I am shamelessly stealing this idea from another blog- but a good idea is a good idea, so I'm going to run with it.
I thought it would be fun to celebrate the countdown to my thirtieth birthday with a series of posts that share some lessons I've learned in life so far. This is pithy advice, learned the old-fashioned way; it is life experience that didn't come easy. Much of it comes from intensely personal trials that I hope I never have to go through again. The balance comes from shrewdly observing the life and times of those around me.
To make it easier for people who haven't been following along to catch up, I decided to compile these observations on one easy-to-read page. Hope you enjoy!
1. You have to sell yourself to others, at least at the beginning. You may think that because you are talented, you can skip the selling part; and later on you may be able to. But first you have to prove to people that you don't need to sell yourself, and the only way you can do that is by selling yourself. At least at the beginning.
2. Never buy anything on impulse*. Ever.
If you see something you want, hold off on buying it for a couple of days. 99% of the time, you won't end up buying it and you won't suffer buyer's remorse.
*This rule does not apply to food. Why? Because we don't take enough joy in eating in the United States, and we may as well make the most out of something we have to do anyway.
3. People aren't always going to criticize you in constructive, tactful ways. Don't let the offense you take at someone's bluntness cause you to miss out on useful advice.
4. Send snail mail. Thank you notes, postcards or long letters. I recommend finding someone on Etsy to customize something for you. It shows class and helps you stand out, and it's fun to say you have someone who designs your stationary for you. In this competitive day and age, you're going to need every edge you can get.
5. Gain an appreciation for craft beer- but never find yourself unable to knock back a Bud Light with someone who doesn't have that same appreciation.
6. The things you choose not to do are almost always more important, more critical, and more life-changing than the things that you choose to do.
7. You'll never have to get great at playing defense as long as you have a magnificent offense.
Think in these terms: procrastination = defense, and
initiative = offense.
8. There are very, very few amazing albums that have more than 10 or 12 songs on them. It just doesn't happen.
9. Before you invest in stocks, bonds, frozen orange juice futures, or whatever, invest in yourself.
Buy a suit and read some books. It's difficult to make the big investments when you haven't laid the foundation. The foundation is you.
10. Maximize the pleasure you derive from the things you have to do- eating, sleeping, and getting dressed don't have to be mundane activities. They can actually be the best parts of your day.
11. A little at a time. Two steps forward and one step back can be frustrating, but at the end of the day, it's still progress.
12. If you wouldn't say it out loud, don't write it in an email.
13. If your plans revolve around the desire to tell great stories, you'll never have a dull life.
14. Be wary of those who call themselves "idea people".
Ideas are a dime a dozen. Converting ideas, dreams and strategies into reality- that is the rare gift.
If someone is too important to be bothered with the "details", it's probably because they don't understand the details and couldn't manage them even if they wanted to.
15. Don't wait for the turkey and stuffing to be served- find something to be thankful for every day, no matter how trivial.
16. Oysters, black coffee, beer and sushi.
The foods and beverages you have to acquire a taste for become the flavors you can't live without.
I guess because you have to work so hard at it.
Risk = Reward.
17. Traveling is not optional.
Traveling can positively impact your life in ways that cannot be measured.
18. Learn to like doing those things you have to do, yet hate. That way, you'll never have to do anything you don't want to.
19. Rebellion calls for participating in the systems that you don't agree with.
Sitting on the sidelines out of protest is almost never effective- the world is ran by those that show up and get involved.
12. If you wouldn't say it out loud, don't write it in an email.
13. If your plans revolve around the desire to tell great stories, you'll never have a dull life.
14. Be wary of those who call themselves "idea people".
Ideas are a dime a dozen. Converting ideas, dreams and strategies into reality- that is the rare gift.
If someone is too important to be bothered with the "details", it's probably because they don't understand the details and couldn't manage them even if they wanted to.
15. Don't wait for the turkey and stuffing to be served- find something to be thankful for every day, no matter how trivial.
16. Oysters, black coffee, beer and sushi.
The foods and beverages you have to acquire a taste for become the flavors you can't live without.
I guess because you have to work so hard at it.
Risk = Reward.
17. Traveling is not optional.
Traveling can positively impact your life in ways that cannot be measured.
18. Learn to like doing those things you have to do, yet hate. That way, you'll never have to do anything you don't want to.
19. Rebellion calls for participating in the systems that you don't agree with.
Sitting on the sidelines out of protest is almost never effective- the world is ran by those that show up and get involved.
20. Gracefully accepting a compliment is more difficult than gracefully accepting harsh criticism.
21. Anger can be harmful, there's no doubt; but anger is also a powerful motivator for positive change. I don't know where I'd be in life, and what causes I would or would not have stood up for if it wasn't for anger.
22. Humility is a pre-requisite for leadership. Leaders often need guidance from their people- if you can't humbly seek this, you have no business being a leader.
23. Extraordinary people don't always expect to be treated in an extraordinary manner; but if you want to keep them in your life, you can't treat them just like everybody else.
24. You don't have to be a billionaire to engage in philanthropy.
25. The ones who refuse to complain never get enough credit for it.
26. The concept of "what got you here, won't get you there" should be required curriculum in business school.
27. Only a fool would allow perception to act as a substitute for reality.
28. Knowing what you can change in this world, in this life- and what you cannot- is incredibly useful.
Useful in terms of knowing when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em.
Useful in terms of knowing what's worth getting stressed out over, and what is not.
Useful in terms of knowing how to spend your relatively short time on this planet.
29. You gotta be willing to learn a lesson as many times as it takes for it to stick. Don't give up just because you keep making the same mistakes over and over again- you'll get it one of these days.
30. If your life isn't getting better as you get older, you're doing it wrong.
22. Humility is a pre-requisite for leadership. Leaders often need guidance from their people- if you can't humbly seek this, you have no business being a leader.
23. Extraordinary people don't always expect to be treated in an extraordinary manner; but if you want to keep them in your life, you can't treat them just like everybody else.
24. You don't have to be a billionaire to engage in philanthropy.
25. The ones who refuse to complain never get enough credit for it.
26. The concept of "what got you here, won't get you there" should be required curriculum in business school.
27. Only a fool would allow perception to act as a substitute for reality.
28. Knowing what you can change in this world, in this life- and what you cannot- is incredibly useful.
Useful in terms of knowing when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em.
Useful in terms of knowing what's worth getting stressed out over, and what is not.
Useful in terms of knowing how to spend your relatively short time on this planet.
29. You gotta be willing to learn a lesson as many times as it takes for it to stick. Don't give up just because you keep making the same mistakes over and over again- you'll get it one of these days.
30. If your life isn't getting better as you get older, you're doing it wrong.
