I just turned 31 on Monday. Here are a few things I learned about LIFE.
Here are a few lessons I learned during my life journey so far and that have really shaped who I am today.
Never stop learning
You can only become better by educating, growing and doing. It’s the only way to learn.
I read and listen books, watch webinars, read articles and blogs. It just makes me grow personally.
Happiness doesn’t come from owning things
Although money can buy things, happiness doesn’t come from acquiring more stuff. Happiness comes from experiences, like spending quality time with your significant other, listening to the rain while drinking a cup of coffee, taking a little road trip with your family, going hiking with friends or achieving something bigger.
Working hard pays off
the quality (and quantity) of your work will show your value.
It’s hard to pursue what you love
As human beings, we’re trained to follow what society thinks is politically correct.
Noone will teach us about self-awareness or about the value of trying different things to find out what we like doing for the rest of our lives! That’s why it’s very important to focus on finding what we truly love.
We’re also hesitant to change gears because we care what other people say.
If you want to make money start leveraging your time
Time is limited and trading my time for money as an employee can only get me that far. That’s when I realized that to make a real impact (and make millions too) I need to work hard on my business. When doing business, I can do things at scale.
Most people trade their time working for someone else because it’s the easiest and the safest. So do I. If I want a 50% pay rise I cannot just go and ask for one. The market decides the ceiling of my industry earnings and I have to oblige.
But if I sell something online I can definitely spend $100 in Facebook ads to generate an additional $1,000 income a month. That’s the power of businesses – do things at scale.
There’s a book on that: The Millionaire's Fastlane by MJ DeMarco. Great content. Read it!
Life is not always about work
I usually strive to become better, Be more productive, work harder and smarter. But I found that we all need some downtime. Some people meditate, take mountain trips, or play online games.
I create pressure for myself and feel guilty if I’m not working on my goals. on my profitable business or on improving my skills. But sometimes it’s just TOO MUCH. What’s the point of doing all these if you don’t enjoy the downtime? That’s why this past year I had gone outside to enjoy some needed “Me Time” #DowntimeForTheWin.
There’s always enough time, it’s a matter of priorities
I’m so tired hearing people say “I don’t have the time, I don’t have the money, I don’t have the energy”. Noone has enough time and everybody gets the same hours every day.
Between kids, full-time Jobs and just Life itself there’s this sweet spot of finding 2 hours per week to do something you love or are passionate about. During these years I learned that if I say “I don’t have enough time” I am either not passionate enough for this or I’m prioritising something else over this one.
Interest creates thoughts and wishes. But taking action and staying committed puts your resources behind your words.
Find someone who supports you
I’m so lucky to have a husband that wants to make me happy and respects my wishes! A husband who I know will always back me up and will genuinely support whatever it is that I put my mind into. Michael I Love You. Thank you for being my best friend and my biggest cheerleader; It’s very important to have support by your side and someone working towards the same goals as you. That applies not only to the other half but people in general – friends, colleagues etc.
Receiving as well as offering support are crucial to getting more satisfaction too!
Exercise makes me happier
I don’t know why but every time I get up early morning to go to my favorite Pilates studio I feel more excited and in a more “prime” state of mind.
Everyone can escape the 9-to-5
If you don’t want to work for money but want the money working for you, then you live in the right era. The plan is simple and based purely on numbers and averages (yes the “law of averages” -Jim Rhon). Just spend less than you earn, avoid debt and invest the rest. You can boost your income too by expanding your skills set, and starting your own business; as Eric Worre said: Network Marketing is not perfect is just BETTER. In the future, you’re only going to be paid for performance. You won’t be paid for your time anymore.
You can do anything tech-related without having a degree
All the information flows freely on the internet. I’m saying tech-related because you cannot really become a doctor or a lawyer by taking online courses.
But speaking of my current job (Networker) you can become many things a designer, a software engineer or a digital marketing guru by studying online. Even top universities like Stanford give online courses and I can guarantee you this: You learn by doing not by reading.
Stop worrying about things outside your control
I used to worry about the traffic, the weather and generally things that I cannot change.
If I learned something this past year is that! Stop worrying about things you don’t have control of. I started following some Stoicism principles; I started focusing on things I can control and that makes me a happier person. So when I find myself cursing at someone driving, I think again. Why do I worry about something I don’t have control of? Believe me it works.
You only learn by doing
I think this applies to everything, from formal education to skating. You may have a MBA in Business Analytics, but try building a product and it is completely different from what the books say. Get your hands on and accept the challenge to succeed.
Chase making an impact, not making money
People will not care that you want to make money. All people care is solving their own problems. When building something it’s pointless to chase the money alone.
I recently read something worth mentioning: “Improve the life of 1 million people and you will be a millionaire”. If you think about it, this is absolutely right. I realized that to earn more, I needed to become more.
Practice beats talent every single time
Andre Agassi wasn’t very talented. He wanted to quit tennis but his father insisted he continued. He cried, fought his father and himself but eventually he put the hours in.
If you’re determined and practicing your craft then you’ll beat any other more talented but lazy person. Practice beats talent every single damn time.
80% of Success is showing up
I recently listened to a handful of books from great authors, like Jim Rhon (my personal mentor and inspiration for my business) Eric Worre, Jen Sincero, Woody Allen, Don Miguel Ruiz etc. And I personally love this quote by Woody Allen “Eighty percent of success is showing up”.
Always be grateful
Every experience no matter how bad it seems, holds within it a blessing of. Appreciate Everything regret nothing. I choose to count my blessings and continue to learn from my failures.
LESS IS MORE
Say less, listen more. Judge less, Love more. Think less, Do more, Own less things, and you’ll experience more freedom.