When I turned 25, I
wrote down some of the things I've learned over my short time on earth. The
last year has been a crazy roller-coaster ride which has enabled me to see
certain things like never before.Last year during this time, I was working at
what I would consider my "dream job" — well, before I discovered my
current "job" (I don't think I can even call it a job).
Over the last year, I've tried to
learn from people who have "made it" in life — entrepreneurs,
figureheads, lawyers, bankers and even politicians. I've realized that there is
no formula to success in life, but there are definitely lessons that can be
learned to help along the journey. I came up with the following list which I
hope to someday come back to — but for now, I think it's a pretty accurate
depiction of how I think. So without further adieu:
1. Take risks when you're young. The older you become, the harder it gets. But they should
always be calculated.
2. The most important thing you
learn in school is how to learn.
Once you master that, nothing will stand in your way. Never stop learning.
3. I would rather say that I tried
and failed than live a life of regret.
You miss every shot you don't take.
4. Dream big. Life is too short to only be mediocre.
5. Music is the cheapest and
simplest cure to life's problems.
Queue up your favourite play list, put on some headphones, and take a walk.
You'll instantly feel better.
6. Drink beer. Lots of it. It makes you think more creatively. Oh, and
wine too.
7. Join clubs and put yourself in as
many different social settings as possible.
It will help you understand people and make you a better communicator.
8. Start your own business as young
as possible. Even if it's a lemonade stand, it
will teach you business lessons you'll use for the rest of your life.
9. If you're going to fail, fail
fast and make it public. Don't
drag it on. Then pick yourself back up. Knowing that others watched you fail
will encourage you to prove them wrong.
10. Meet lots of different people. Life is serendipitous in many ways, and you never know what
can happen.
11. When life throws lemons at you,
make lemonade. Then pour it for all your friends.
Be optimistic. It spreads like wild fire.
12. Success does not lead to
happiness. You need to be happy first before
you can become successful. Find what makes you happy. Don't stop until you find
it.
13. Many people don't want to start
businesses because they are scared.
Successful entrepreneurs got to where they are because they were willing to
tread where others wouldn't. If you're too scared to leave your 9-5 job,
entrepreneurship is not meant for you.
14. Surround yourself with people
way smarter than you. That is the only way you will be
challenged to grow.
15. Only those who are with you
during the struggles deserve to be with you when you celebrate the successes.
16. Pick and choose your battles
carefully. There are only 24 hours in a day.
If something isn't worth your time, just say no ... or outsource it to India ;)
(Thank you, "4 Hour Workweek.")
17. The most important asset to
invest in is yourself. Take
classes to make yourself a better person and never stop learning. Buy books.
Lots of them.
18. True friends will never question
why you disappeared off the face of the earth. They will be there for you unconditionally.
19. The more comfortable you are
with a job you don't want to be doing, the harder it will become to leave it
and chase your dreams. Learn
what you can, then go change the world.
20. A dream job does not exist. You have to create it.
21. Travel as much as you can. You will come back with a wider perspective of the world
and more ideas on how to change it.
22. "Thank You" — the most powerful two words in the English dictionary.
23. God gave us all a purpose. Don't settle until you find yours. I didn't think mine was
to sit in front of computer screens and trade foreign exchange, so I kept looking.
24. The world may seem big and
scary. But the older you get, the more you
realize that everything is man-made. Nothing is set in stone. Don't stick
with the status quo.
25. Life is not easy. But having the right support group with you during your journey
goes a long, long way.
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