As I turn the page on another year, I can’t help but feel blessed for everything that has happened in my life, both good and bad.  Since starting this blog 6 months ago, I’ve challenged myself physically, mentally and spiritually and come out the other side a better person.  Although I have a long way to go, I feel I care less what others think, don’t compare myself to others and am at ease with myself and where I’m at with my life.  With that being said, I wanted to share 33 life lessons I’ve learned in my 33 years.

1. Treat others the way you want to be treated.

It’s one of the simplest things everyone can do that I think would make the world a better place.  How someone treats you is their karma, how you react is yours.

2. Learning doesn’t stop once you graduate from school.

Life is a continuous learning experience, stay curious.  The minute you stop learning is the minute you stop living.

3. Smile, it’s contagious.

They are free and can turn your day around.  Smile at the stranger walking down the street, you never know what a difference it can make.  Even if you have to fake it, just smile.

4. Laughter, it’s the best medicine.

A day without laughter is a day wasted.  When I have a hard time laughing, I just watch this video and it does the trick.  Or try to laugh without smiling – every time I try, I can’t help but start laughing.  If you can laugh during your toughest times, you can get through anything.

5. Life isn’t always fair and that’s a good thing.

There are going to be times when you get overlooked or passed over in life.  Not getting what you think you deserve or want can turn out to be the best thing for you.  It can open up other doors you never thought imaginable.

6. Honesty is the best policy

Except when your gf/wife asks you how she looks.  You lie! A white lie never hurt anyone from time to time.  Besides you don’t want to sleep on the couch do you?

7. Stress management is one of the most underrated life skill we should be focusing on.

Learning to relieve and control your stress is something everyone can benefit from.  Whether it’s exercise, yoga, meditation or some other technique, find something that works for you and practice it as often as you can when life starts going too fast.

8. Don’t text and drive.

Research has shown that multitasking reduces your efficiency and performance because your brain can only focus on one thing at a time.  Throw in a bunch of distracted drivers on the road and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.  Everyone thinks it’ll never happen to them until it does.  Put your phone in the glove compartment, throw it in the backseat, give it to your passenger.  Just don’t text and drive, it’s not worth it.

9. A dollar saved is a dollar earned.

Live for the present, save for the future.  The earlier you start saving for retirement the more time you have to accrue on that special thing called compounded interest.

10. Feel your feelings, don’t suppress them.

We live in a society where men are looked at differently if they show a little emotion.  That’s a crock of horsesh*t if you ask me.  We are the only species on this planet that can cry, never be ashamed of showing your emotions.

11. You have 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason.

Listen more, speak less.  It’ll help you learn more about people, things, places and the world.

12. Karma is real

The more you give, the more you get.  It’s that simple.

13. It’s never too late to start over or start something new.

If something in your life isn’t working, don’t be afraid to start fresh.  What’s holding you back?  I bet you didn’t know these 13 people changed their careers later in life, or maybe you did.

14. Find a mentor or someone you admire.

Everyone has someone they look up to whether it’s in their career or personal life.  Ask that person to take you under their wing and see how they got where they are.  Ask them questions, pick their brain.

15. Take someone under your wing.

Pay it forward and mentor someone that is looking for guidance/direction.  Don’t hold back information or advice because you feel it’ll make you less valuable.

16. Your job title or amount of money in the bank does not determine your value.

Do not associate your job title, salary or how much money you have in the bank to your value.  Put your best effort in all you do and never settle for anything less than you deserve.

17. Less is more, quality over quantity.

After purchasing something new, sell or donate something old or that you don’t use anymore. The less material things you own, the more freedom and space you have to enjoy the things that matter the most.

18. Balance and moderation are key.

You can’t eat or be healthy 100% of the time.  Plan your cheat meals ahead of time so you have something to look forward to.  Leave some time/space for unexpected/unplanned adventures.

19. Show up on time.

It shows you value other people’s time, not just your own.  If you’re going to be late, let people know.

20. When you feel like life is becoming too much, just breathe.

There are only a few things in life you can truly control, your thoughts and breathe are a few.  Slow down your breath, slow down your thoughts.  Everything is going to be okay.

21. You will lose and gain friends throughout your life.                                                  

Your interests and priorities change throughout your life and so will your friends.  Be thankful for every relationship, old and new as each one taught you something.

22. Take care of your body and your body will take care of you.

Active body, active mind.  Do something today that your future self will thank you for.  Go for a walk, lift some weights, do some yoga, just keep active as much as possible.

23. Trust yourself/your gut.

Usually, your first instinct/gut is right, trust it.  No one knows what’s best for you except yourself.

24. You are what you eat.  

Be mindful of what you put into your body.  More natural foods (fruits & veggies), less processed and sugar.  Try some of these brain power foods.

25. Don’t compare yourself to others.

An orange doesn’t compare itself to a lemon, a flower doesn’t look at the flower next to it and wonder why it’s blooming faster, so why compare yourself to anyone.  Every person on this earth is unique in their own way.

26. Stay humble, stay hungry.

Don’t let success get to your head, don’t let failure get to your heart.

27. If something doesn’t feel right, physically/mentally, seek help.

We rely on Google too much to diagnose what is wrong with us which can lead to more problems.  If something hurts or doesn’t feel right, see a doctor.

28. Disconnect to connect.

Unplug from everything (cell phone, tv, computer) every once in awhile to connect with someone or yourself.  Get outside, go for a walk and just listen to the ocean waves, the birds chirping, the terrible la drivers honking at each other.

29. Find strength in the struggle.

Nothing worth having comes easy so find strength in the struggle.  Life is about the journey, not the destination, so enjoy the ride.

30. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.

What’s worse than rejection? Not even trying/asking.

31. Value the simple things in life, not the finer things.

A $20k car will get you from point A to point B just the same way a$100k+ car will.  Sunsets at the beach, long talks with loved ones about anything and nothing at the same time, a smile from a random stranger – those are the things to value in life.

32. If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.

Surround yourself with smart(er) people as this is the only way you can learn and grow. It will increase your perspective and open doors you would have never been exposed to.

33. The key to happiness is gratitude.

If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more.  If you look at what you don’t have in your life, you’ll never have enough.

I look forward to another great year of memories and lessons.  Thank you for making it this far and hopefully, you got something out of the post whether it was a laugh or life lesson.

QOTP: “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” –Bob Marley