I turn 43 today and am celebrating it as my half time because the average life expectancy for men in most of the world is about 86.
Here are 10 lessons from my first 43 years.
LESSON 1: Be kind.
Kindness is its own reward.
Be kind to:
1.Those who can't reciprocate (waiters, maids, subordinates etc.)
2.Those who deserve your wrath.
3.Those closest to you. It’s easy to forget to be kind to spouses, children and siblings. 4. Everyone around you.
LESSON 2: Focus on your strengths, not weaknesses.
Don’t live your life trying to improve on your weaknesses. Instead focus on building and maximizing your strengths.
Example:
Sport = weakness
Education = strength
Focus on becoming the next Einstein, not the next Ronaldo.
LESSON 3: Recognize your heritage.
Humans = nurture (environment) + nature (genes).
Your heritage (mom + dad + their families) and upbringing give you some advantages.
E.g. My granddad was a tribal chief and mom was a teacher so leadership and teaching come naturally to me.
LESSON 4: Find your trump card.
Everybody has a unique gift that they can use to win in life. Find yours and maximize it.
Mine is my ability to learn new concepts. Therefore, I try to learn something new every year. That ability has brought me everything I have and own.
LESSON 5: Respect money
Work strategically to make money.
Then use the money respectfully. Don’t splurge until you can afford to. You can’t afford anything until you can buy two of it with cash.
Respect money, and it will work hard for you.
LESSON 6: Do everything you can in your 20's, focus on something in your 30's.
In my 20s, I worked in tech, banking, marketing, and teaching. I also wrote a book, led a youth group, sang in a choir, published a photobook etc.
In my 30s, I focused on Tech and Marketing.
LESSON 7: Accept your limitations.
You cannot do everything at a high level. Recognize your limitations and accept it. Outsource what you can, find partners to help with your weaknesses, and marry someone who is pretty good at the things you are horrible at doing.
LESSON 8: Learn to work with people.
You can’t achieve anything worth doing alone. You need a team of people who genuinely like you and want to work with you. They will help scale your goals and ambitions and help you become a better person.
LESSON 9: Give more than you take.
Give your skills to your employer. Give yourself to your spouse and children. Give to people around you. Give to your parents and siblings.
Be known for giving rather than receiving.
LESSON 10: Enjoy the journey.
There is no joy in hustling to a destination.
Laugh, smile, and enjoy the wind in your face.
Make time for love and laughter, for a good bottle of wine accompanied with great music.
Life is short; enjoy the journey.
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As I reflect on my journey through my 40s, I have compiled ten invaluable lessons that I believe hold value for individuals in their 20s, 30s, 40s, or even 50s.
1/10 Time Flies: Enjoy the Present Moment: One of the most important things I've realized in my forties is how quickly time passes. It's crucial to embrace each moment and make the most of it. Cherish the present because it's the only time that truly belongs to us.
2/10 Failure Leads to Growth: Mistakes and setbacks aren't the end of the road but stepping stones toward personal growth and improvement. Embrace failure as a valuable teacher, as it provides lessons that help you move forward on your journey.
To navigate it successfully, we must understand the imperatives of each decade and fight to win one decade at a time.
Let's explore the adventures of the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s together.
- A THREAD
Your 20s: Explore and ponder.
- Try new things and embrace failure.
- Discover your passions and interests.
- Gain diverse experiences.
- Spread your wings and soar!
- Embrace the adventure.
This is your golden era of exploration. Try 1000 jobs or music or art or coding or...
Your 30s: Focus and Specialize
- Identify what brings you the most value.
- Hone your skills in that area
- Become exceptional at what you do
- Become a specialist at something
Focus on honing your craft, discovering what brings you the most value until it's a unique superpower.