I turned 35 this year.
There've been many ups and downs in my life. It’s been eventful, but rarely dull. And for that, I’m thankful.
Here are some of my most important learnings so far:
Mindset
So much in life comes down to mindset: how you choose to see things. You often end up finding what you look for.
Learn from the past, but focus on the present and future. What's done is done. Focus on what you can do now.
Be honest with yourself. A peaceful existence requires that you tell yourself the truth. Self-delusion is a slippery slope.
Don’t be cynical. Cynicism usually masks fear. Better futures weren’t created by cynics.
Changing yourself is hard but it’s worth it. Life unfolds in ways that let you know when change is necessary.
Think independently. It gives you something to fall back on when things aren't straightforward.
Growth and Development
Don’t wait for great conditions. The real test is your ability to do the work even when shit’s flying off the fan.
Believe in the power of starting small, even if the goal is large. We learn to walk by taking baby steps. It takes patience and humility, but trust the process.
Don’t shy away from discomfort if it’s for a noble reason. Your greatest personal breakthroughs will come from periods of extreme tension and adversity.
Face your fears. Your fears are telling you something about yourself. Use this information to overcome them.
It's never too late to fix things, especially if they're worth it.
Perfection is a subjective and moving target. Instead, aim to get things done. Consistently getting things done is the closest you will get to perfection.
Accept that sometimes you will need to slow down in the short term in order to go faster and further in the long term.
Relationships
You are the average of the people and information that you spend the most time with.
Find a mentor or hero. I can’t emphasize the importance of this. Aim for people who inspire you.
Don’t entertain relationships that leave you feeling negative or doubtful. Good relationships are meant to enhance your life.
Avoid people who don’t put you at ease. Ability is overvalued if you can't also get trust and cooperation.
It doesn't matter how smart or right you are. If people don't like you, they won't help you—and people will always remember how you made them feel.
Practical
Notice where your attention tends to go. It’s a subtle guide to what you care about.
Pay attention to what people actually do, more than to what they say. Actions speak far louder than words. And with time, the truth reveals itself in behavior.
Learn to trust your instincts. The senses communicate more quickly than the mind can articulate.
Don't waste time reading the news. The media is incentivized by clicks, not truth.
We all have different circumstances and starting points. Comparison isn't going to make you better, but what you choose to do today will.
Be flexible about the things that don’t matter. Be inflexible about the things that do.
You become the sum total of what you do every day.
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To the next decade.