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I decided to try something new and share a few insights each week about life, purpose and creativity.
Below is my first short thread with 12 things I wish I would have known when I was younger. I hope you’ll share.
Below is my first short thread with 12 things I wish I would have known when I was younger. I hope you’ll share.
1. You matter.
There are billions of people living out unique stories, and yet there has never been a story like yours. Your story is one of the greatest gifts you’ve ever been given. So embrace it. The world needs you, and that one thing that only you are capable of giving.
There are billions of people living out unique stories, and yet there has never been a story like yours. Your story is one of the greatest gifts you’ve ever been given. So embrace it. The world needs you, and that one thing that only you are capable of giving.
2. Persistence always trumps talent.
Be tenacious at what you do and you'll always succeed. Hard work is more predictive of success than IQ. Don't sit around waiting for inspiration to strike, or you'll never get anything done.
Be tenacious at what you do and you'll always succeed. Hard work is more predictive of success than IQ. Don't sit around waiting for inspiration to strike, or you'll never get anything done.
3. Fear nothing.
What do you want to be known for? If you want to pursue what you truly believe in, you have to be willing to take risks, regardless of the outcome. Like Francis Chan said, "you shouldn't fear failing, but succeeding in something that doesn't really matter."
What do you want to be known for? If you want to pursue what you truly believe in, you have to be willing to take risks, regardless of the outcome. Like Francis Chan said, "you shouldn't fear failing, but succeeding in something that doesn't really matter."
4. Focus on your strengths.
If you want to become great at something, you need to concentrate and build on what you’re already good at. Don’t waste time trying to cultivate skills where you have little competence.
If you want to become great at something, you need to concentrate and build on what you’re already good at. Don’t waste time trying to cultivate skills where you have little competence.
5. The present is a gift.
Most of us work so hard to make sure everyone else is taken care of, that we’re rarely present or happy ourselves. We never find that time to just be. You have to let go of this need for what’s “next" or what’s “better,” because, right now is beautiful.
Most of us work so hard to make sure everyone else is taken care of, that we’re rarely present or happy ourselves. We never find that time to just be. You have to let go of this need for what’s “next" or what’s “better,” because, right now is beautiful.
6. Busyness does not equal productivity.
Socrates said “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” You will always fill your time and there will always be more work to do. Create more than you consume. What you decide *not* to do is probably more important than what you decide to do.
Socrates said “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” You will always fill your time and there will always be more work to do. Create more than you consume. What you decide *not* to do is probably more important than what you decide to do.
7. Learn to set boundaries.
Do not confuse your career with your life. If you don't draw a line in the sand, you'll end up taking calls at 10pm and working every weekend (.. trust me, I’ve been there). Successful people say “no" to almost everything.
Do not confuse your career with your life. If you don't draw a line in the sand, you'll end up taking calls at 10pm and working every weekend (.. trust me, I’ve been there). Successful people say “no" to almost everything.
8. Comparison is a thief of joy.
I once read that the formula to be miserable is to constantly compare your real life to everyone else's online edited version of their life. Don’t fall in this trap. A simple day off of social media once/week will do wonders.
I once read that the formula to be miserable is to constantly compare your real life to everyone else's online edited version of their life. Don’t fall in this trap. A simple day off of social media once/week will do wonders.
9. Gratitude makes life rich.
Identifying and acknowledging the good in your life is the key to joy and abundance. It shifts your perspective, and opens your eyes to all the good in your life.
Identifying and acknowledging the good in your life is the key to joy and abundance. It shifts your perspective, and opens your eyes to all the good in your life.
10. Your things shouldn't own you.
The average person is in front of a screen 9 hrs/day, every day. Put your phone down, and listen to the silence. It’s freeing. At your funeral, no one will be talking about the Candy Crush record you broke in 2012.
The average person is in front of a screen 9 hrs/day, every day. Put your phone down, and listen to the silence. It’s freeing. At your funeral, no one will be talking about the Candy Crush record you broke in 2012.
11. Make meaning.
Add more value to the world than you're giving up. Your art is a gift to people to help their lives shine brighter. Be generous. Your time is the greatest gift you can give to someone.
Add more value to the world than you're giving up. Your art is a gift to people to help their lives shine brighter. Be generous. Your time is the greatest gift you can give to someone.
12. When in doubt, refer to #2.
