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Image by State Library of New South Wales collection via Flickr
People keep asking me, "What does it feel like to turn 30 and how have you been so successful being so young?" And my response: "It feels the same as I felt yesterday; and all I focus on is learning."
In looking back over the 'years,' I realize the reason I feel the same is because I make it a priority to learn and grown every year. People ask what my passion is – my passion is learning – and how to better myself both personally and professionally. So, to share some of the "hard learned lessons…"
1. If you love what you do, don't strive for balance in your life as you'll never be happy. Strive to be fulfilled.
2. Marry your best friend. They may have been your "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" first, but if they didn't become your best friend, the marriage won't work.
3. Cut the fat. In your personal life, cut out people who don't add value. In your professional life, do the same. No one should ride your wave unless they've helped to create it.
4. Don't invest in companies – invest in people. There is less risk in investing in a start up company where you know the people than there is investing in the stock market.
5. Trust your gut – but still engage in due diligence. Your gut can be impulsive
6. Travel. Learning about and engaging with other cultures will not only make you more appreciative of what you have, it will make you more tolerant of other people.
7. Don't waste time with obligations.
8. There is nothing more important than relationships; whether personal or professional – build them and appreciate them.
9. If you're feeling unmotivated, watch a TED video. Seriously – it can get you right back up.
10. Learn to be independent; financially and socially. You never know when something bad will happen.
11. If you're comfortable where you are at, get out! Comfort is death. Only way to grow / better yourself is to get out of your comfort zone.
12. Major in something you find interesting. If you don't, you won't learn anything.
13. Seek out mentors. Both professional and personal. Everyone you meet can mentor you in some fashion; open yourself up to their teachings.
14. Everything is sales. Even asking someone out for a date, you're selling yourself.
15. Stay present. Granted, I'm not great at this yet, but the few times I can remain 'present', I enjoy myself far more than when I'm thinking about tomorrow.
16. People will trust you if you demonstrate your trust for them. If you want to learn about someone or get to know them better, tell them a secret; if you open up to them, there is a far higher likelihood they will open up to you.
17. Embrace innovators – don't shun new ideas. They may sound crazy, but at some point so did a computer. Or a tablet.
18. Don't settle for a job just to make money. Find something that excites you to wake up in the morning. If you don't love what you do, you won't love YOU, and the job won't last.
19. Family comes first. That doesn't mean that some of your friends have not become part of your family.
20. Always welcome competition; it only makes you try harder.
21. Have goals; but don't be afraid to stray from them when opportunity arises. You may just be taking a longer path to get to your goal, but what you learn along the way may be more important than achieving the final result.
22. Don't get into an argument for argument's sake. It's a waste of energy – even if you're a lawyer.
23. It's just as important to SPEND as it is to SAVE. Reward yourself once in a while, but do so strategically. Budget yourself to put aside money to do one thing you love per month or per week (depending on your budget).
24. Get a pet. It not only teaches responsibility, but we all need unconditional love sometimes.
25. Failing is a good thing. After you make a mistake, no matter how small, take a step back and assess what you did wrong. Learn from it. If you can't figure out what you did wrong, ask someone. Don't repeat it.
26. KNOW what you DON'T KNOW. Admit that you don't know. You'll get far further not knowing the answer than giving the wrong answer.
27. Always hold yourself accountable. It sucks when someone calls you out before you call yourself out. This requires self awareness and the ability to admit when you are wrong. People will respect you for it.
28. Be well read. If you don't like reading books, read the internet. If you don't like reading books or the internet, listen to books on tape. The more you read, the more you learn, the more you offer to those around you.
29. Know what your natural high is; whether your endorphins get going from exercising or closing a business deal, know what that is and replicate it as needed.
30. If you don't love yourself, no one else will.
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