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Earlier this week I was asked to give some life lessons and the response was really positive so I thought I’d share them with you.
Here are 10 lessons that might just serve you.
And a few bonuses along the way.
Oh and if you have some great lessons to share just let me know.
Lesson 1: Less is More.
Over the years I’ve really focused on the Power of Less (available here).
It’s not about more.
Rather less…just the things you actually want in your life.
The priorities.
This takes some work though.
You have to step back and figure out what it is you actually want.
Than you have to have the courage to make the decision to go and get it even if it’s hard.
Even if there are naysayers (there will be).
And you have to change to make it happen.
That change often involves saying no to a lot of things and to a lot of people.
This is hard.
But necessary.
Because in your world you’ll discover that when you do this less is more.
And that less does make you happier.
How to get started?
Easy…Walt Disney said it best…
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
Lesson 2: Invest
No matter how old you are you should be investing for the long-term.
And no matter what start now.
The earlier the better.
If you are new to investing take some responsibility and learn what to do (I have a course on this).
Don’t make excuses.
Just do it.
Read books.
Like this one and this one by John Bogle. Or Ramit’s book is a good place to start too.
Keep it simple.
But commit to it for the long haul.
The power is in the consistency over a long-period of time.
Lesson 3: Stay in Your Lane
In business and life everyone is going to want to give you advice.
Some of it is good.
Most of it is bad.
Even the best intentioned folks are often going to give you bad advice.
They may tell you to not start that business or to not quit that job or to do the ‘safe’ thing or whatever.
I prefer to follow my instinct.
To trust my gut.
That’s why I made the switch to SamCart, instinct.
My intuition and allow myself to make mistakes because you know what mistakes are ok too.
Make them.
Just learn from them and it’s probably best to make mistakes earlier in life if you can.
I’m not saying you can’t get good advice but from my experience, a lot of people are full of it when it comes to what works in both life and business.
That or it might not be applicable to you and your situation.
Also, try things.
Test them out.
Take what works and do it with excellence.
Take what doesn’t and discard it.
In my business, I have followed this simple wisdom from Booker T. Washington.
“Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.”
Lesson 4: Relationships Matter
And we often take them for granted.
Do your best to continually focus on developing and maintaining quality relationships in your life.
It takes work.
It takes courage even.
And don’t do it with the intention that one day you’ll get something out of that relationship.
Do it because you want to.
Because you care for that person.
As we get older we realize how much value there is to relationships.
Often relationships can fade.
Or we may no longer speak to someone for one reason or another.
Forgive.
Practice more forgiveness in life.
Not for the person you are forgiving but rather for yourself.
You need it.
And it’s ok to forgive yourself too.
That can be hard and it always takes courage but doing this type of work pays dividends like you wouldn’t believe.
Lesson #5: Don’t Focus on the Money
As someone who helps folks build businesses and gain financial freedom it’s probably weird to say this but the money isn’t what you should focus on.
I find that you need to find what you love to do.
Or at least what you enjoy doing right now.
That may change and that’s ok.
Cross that bridge when you get to it.
When you do that though you can use all of the great tools available to you to profit.
We have it so easy now with the internet.
We live in an era where we can really make as much as we want.
It’s just a matter of finding the right thing (i.e. a skill) developing it and focusing on it long enough for the fruit to show up.
Too many are impatient.
Too many quit.
Too many have bad expectations.
Too many get distracted so easily
And on and on.
Lesson 6: Health is #1
I could rant on this forever but make health your number one priority.
Feeling good is important.
Focus on what you eat (keep it simple).
And again trust your instinct.
You already know what you should and shouldn’t eat.
Don’t look for the quick fix.
Or the fad diet.
Don’t eat based on emotion either. If you do find yourself doing a lot of emotional eating this is something you’ll need to work through.
Instead of a fad diet or trying find a quick fix…seek out something you can do over the long haul.
I know you know this but when you are sick you’ll do just about anything to get better.
But when you are better most of us will barely do anything to stay that
way and heaven forbid get even healthier.
Start now.
As in today.
Even if it is a few small changes like drinking more water or getting more sleep.
Do that.
Sleep is the new super food in my mind.
And if you travel a lot learn how to beat jet lag.
It’s incredibly important.
Oh and focus on your mental health too.
In this day in age this is becoming more and more important so it should be a major priority
Sojourner Truth said…
“It is the mind that makes the body.”
Speaking of body.
Lesson #7: Fitness
Being fit and strong is important.
Studies show the immense benefits of strength training especially as we age.
We all should be doing this a few days a week.
When you feel strong everything gets better.
Your mood.
Your confidence.
Your sex life.
And on and on.
Do it.
Again find someone that can help you if you need but train in a way that is sustainable.
Create a framework that works for you over the long-term.
And find what works for you now.
That will change most likely.
I wrote this article about Why Sunday is the Most Important Day for Your Wellbeing on Entrepreneur.
Better yet find an active hobby.
I like; hiking, rock climbing, table tennis, and snowboarding.
These things are fun for me and the also encourage me to exercise.
And even better find things you can do with others.
I have built many relationships thanks to my hobbies and they have allowed me to travel the world with folks to enjoy things we truly love.
A bond created in those moments is one that can truly last and matter.
Lesson 8: Don’t Fall Into the Trap
This day in age it’s so easy to get sucked in.
To waste time on things that are insignificant.
To procrastinate.
To complain.
To try and keep up with the jones’.
To stress about the little things.
To spend too much money.
To NOT save.
To NOT have fun and enjoy life.
To forget about the important things.
To put off doing the thing(s) you know you should do.
Don’t fall into that trap.
Build your resiliency by exercising it daily.
Do hard things so you can tolerate hard times.
Some times rolling up your sleeves and putting in the work is necessary.
Make sure you are ready for it.
Lesson #9: Ask for Help
We often think we have to go it alone.
Or that asking for help is for a weak person.
It isn’t.
Many are willing to help and you should ask for help.
But be careful.
Not everyone can help.
Or wants to help.
Many actually want to see you fail…to fall flat on your face.
Some knowingly some unknowingly.
See lesson 3 above.
Still you deserve help.
You are not alone in this fight.
In any fight.
If you need help seek it out.
Be ok asking for it, this book could help.
Lesson #10: Seek Out a Mentor
Find someone that has done what you want and do everything you can to get them to mentor you.
Be humble.
Be open.
Be willing to act.
Pay them for coaching if need be.
Study their training, books, videos on YouTube, etc.
Apprentice for them if you can.
Add value to their life when you can (this is important too).
Please don’t ask to pick their brain.
When you do find one take responsibility and act on what they teach you.
Finding a good mentor is one thing.
Being a good mentee is another…creating an alter ego may really help.
So make sure you do your part in that equation.
Respect that folks don’t like to have their brains picked and often their time is very valuable.
But the right mentor can change your life.
I’ve had many mentors over the years some I’ve never met some I have worked closely with.
Just know that eventually you should outgrow them.
Set your sights high.
DaVinci said, “Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master.”
Wise words.
Bonus Lesson…Write Letters
We live in a world of more connection.
Instagram.
Facebook.
Snapchat.
Texting.
They connect us with folks around the world.
Aim to connect on a different level a deeper level.
In your conversations and life.
I believe in sending letters.
Handwritten ones.
Mailing postcards.
Do it weekly or monthly.
And not just on birthdays or holidays.
But just because.
Take some of your time and write to the people that matter to you.
Tell them how you feel.
Be open. Be Vulnerable.
We could all use a little more of that in our lives.
Especially us men who may have been taught that that is weak and that we should never show our feelings.
That’s just plain wrong.
It’s good to be open and emotional.
It’s good to be vulnerable with the people we care about.
People love getting personal letters.
You just might make someone’s day.
Try it.
Send one letter to someone you’ve been thinking about this week.
See what happens and let me know.
Alright that’s it for today.
I hope you enjoyed these simple lessons.
