64 Life Lessons I’ve Learned in 57 Years
By Jeff Charlton
An associate of mine, Kent Clothier, recently turned 50 and wrote a Facebook post that I thought was very interesting. He listed the key things that he felt helped him to succeed in business and life. I agreed with most of them. I decided to make my own list that is a combination of his ideas and my own. I will admit that do not execute perfectly on many of these, especially the relationship stuff, but aspire to achieve them all. Thanks Kent, for the inspiration. Note I am 57, so I have seven more years of experience than Kent to gain wisdom.
Be grateful for the problems that you have versus what they could be.
Smile often.
Enjoy the journey as you may never reach the destination.
Spend more time with your kids.
Get involved with your kids’ activities.
Get outside in the sun as much as you can.
Travel often with family & good friends.
Spend time creating things – be it music, crafts, buildings or words.
Exercise daily.
Take the first parking spot you find and walk vs finding the closest spot.
Take the stairs when you can.
Fast at least once a month for a few days.
Do what your spouse wants to do as often as you can – even if you hate it.
Remember when you fell in love.
Do something unexpected for someone else – often.
Be a thoughtful gift-giver.
Call your Mom & Dad more.
Watch movies that inspire you – not depress you.
Hang out with people that make you smile.
Hang around people that make you better.
Avoid people that talk badly about others – they’re doing the same about you.
Wake up with someone that you can’t stand to be away from.
Let your kids or dogs sleep in your bed as much as they want.
Saying you’re sorry actually matters.
Admit you are wrong.
Build and create things with your kids.
Give back as often as you can.
Never say no to someone who needs your help both financially & with your efforts.
Always be learning – from books, videos, articles.
Always be open to feedback from others.
Be a leader, not a follower.
Being uncomfortable helps you to grow.
Being vulnerable is an asset, not a weakness.
Do the toughest things first while you have energy & mental focus.
Don’t listen to broke people or naysayers.
Don’t watch or read the news (I am still working on this one).
Focus intently on what you want to grow.
Focus on the solution, not who is to blame or the emotion.
I can always do more.
I control my own destiny – daily.
I wasn’t born to be average in any way.
Never give up – ever!
Never settle for less than excellence of yourself.
Never stop pushing your business forward.
Never stop trying to make yourself better.
Put people and processes in place quickly to replace yourself.
Send Thank You notes.
Stop caring what other people think – EVER.
Take the time to teach others so you can back off and let them do their jobs.
The “struggle” is the good stuff – it’s what makes you feel alive.
Trust people first, but verify everything.
You can count on your competition’s mediocrity.
Be open to all possibilities.
Just because it has always been that way does not make it right.
Always do what you say you will do – ALWAYS.
Do the right thing even when it is not the easy thing.
Every problem has a solution.
It’s what you do when no one is looking that defines who you are.
You’re nowhere near as important as you think you are.
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Listen more than you talk.
Stay away from social media arguments of any kind.
Time is your only real currency – Make the most of it.
Put God above all else.
