I turned 39 a few weeks ago and was asked if I was going to write a “40 things I’ve learned by 40” post. “HELL NO!” For 1, life is never that organized to teach you 1 thing a year (mine isn’t anyway) and 2, why wait for 40? There are sure to be a few you disagree with and probably some contradictions if you dig. If you do, I’d love to hear what you find. Also, while I consider these all to be true, some are comical and some will get dark. So fair warning. Here are the 28 things I’ve learned in 39 years:
- Having a backbone isn’t about aggression, it’s about character.
- There are 3 limitations in life. # 1 & 2, only you truly know. # 3 you’ll never know.
- Your imagination
- Your determination
- You lifespan.
- Don’t work for anyone but yourself. Work WITH others and be selective. This doesn’t mean you have to be self-employed, just make sure your value is understood.
- Bring value.
- When looking at past performance
- Past performance is the best indicator for future performance.
- Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
- Staying in a safe place makes you less healthy & fit. Progressing health & fitness makes you safer in more places.
- Choose quality over quantity. While this sounds cliché, it covers everything: Goals, friends, food, experiences, opportunities… I have yet to find the exception.
- Communication is paramount in all relationships. This has less to do about talking than you may think. Listening to understand others points of view is a skill that must be developed. Entertaining additional points of view should be practiced. (especially those opposed to yours)
- Those that often point the finger at others as “bad communicators” are typically bad listeners.
- There are only 3 times it’s appropriate to wear skulls on your/as clothes:
- You have earned them…
- They’ve been given to you as a gift…
- You’re at Comicon.
- Sex first thing in the morning is better than sex just before going to sleep.
- Those complaining about a lack of work/life balance need to work on the balance in their life.
- Regardless of what all the science & facts say; if something feels right, do it. If it feels wrong, don’t do it. Science once told us the world is flat, 9 out of 10 Doctors preferred Camel cigarettes, and the 4 minute mile was considered impossible.
- If someone is always looking over their shoulder, you shouldn’t feel comfortable with them standing behind you.
- Everything is negotiable.
- There’s a time to study the root and a time to gather the fruit. Get good at both.
- If you’re offended by something on the Internet, you deserve it.
- Probably true outside of the internet as well.
- There are a few phrases you should never say: The 2 most common are; “You don’t understand” & “I don’t care.” The first implies you fully understand the others entire existence. The second isn’t true if you took the effort to say it.
- Everyone has thought about suicide. Realizing this is true should provide hope during dark times.
- The world is a mirror; you get out what you put in.
- Reality TV is for suckers. Yes, that show too.
- Sugar is a drug and is much worse for you than marijuana.
- Put your grocery cart back. There may be an exception or 2 to this rule but if you’re trying to come up with them, the rule was written for you.
- Someday quickly becomes never. Either set a deadline or let it go.
- Anyone who says, “It doesn’t matter what you meant, it’s what you said.” Probably won’t ever say anything meaningful.
- If you borrow a car, return it with a full tank. Both literally and figuratively,
- Everything I need to know about life, I learned through marksmanship: Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Learn the fundamentals; focus on getting better at them. Then compress the fundamentals. If you try to be the “fastest gun in the west” you never will.
- If there is no risk involved, there is either no pay off or the venture isn’t completely understood.
Would love to hear your thoughts. Please share if you enjoyed it.
