Today, I turned 30 years old. 🥳
Life is a journey filled with twists and turns, ups and downs, and lessons learned along the way. As I embark on this life journey, I’ve been fortunate enough to gather wisdom from the experiences I’ve encountered, the people I’ve met, and the lessons I’ve learned. Along the way, I’ve discovered invaluable gems of knowledge that have shaped my perspective and guided my path. Each encounter, triumph, and setback left an indelible mark, shaping and influencing my choices.
Today, I’d like to share these life lessons with you, hoping they resonate with your experiences. In this blog post, I’ll share some of the profound life lessons I’ve learned throughout my journey, which transformed my perspective, empowered me to overcome obstacles, and fostered a sense of gratitude.
Stepping Stones: What I learned
Embarking on the journey of personal and professional growth feels a bit like setting sail on a vast, uncharted sea. It’s a quest for excellence, an exploration of the principles that could shape the course of our lives. These principles aren’t just words on a page; they’re the compass guiding you through uncharted territories. These are the top principles I wish I had learned in my early 20s.
- Be hero. Picture this: You, the hero, armed with a proactive mindset, creating value at every turn. Value creation makes you indispensable. Be someone proactive rather than passive.
- Play the hand you were dealt. Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. Having the courage to face challenges builds character. It’s about finding a way through, not an escape route.
- Avoid over-explaining yourself. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words, and brevity becomes your ally in communication.
- Take initiative. You don’t have to wait for the opportunities necessarily. A small problem analysis can turn into outstanding achievement and recognition.
- Attach yourself to a mission or purpose. Not a job. Your mission is your north star, guiding you through the storms. Let the others know where you stand. Be uncompromising and be upfront when someone steps on your core values.
- Continuously grow your skillset. The gap between where you are and where you want to be is a challenge, but one that you can bridge with acquired skills and unwavering determination.
- Manage your time. Time becomes your most precious resource. Your days become a canvas, and you are the artist crafting a masterpiece. Read more here 👉🏻 Time Management and Productivity: 7 tips to be efficient
- Do your homework to stay one step ahead. Before you set sail, know what you are getting into. Stay one step ahead by understanding the terrain. It’s about reducing uncertainty and fear and brainstorming with the big picture in mind.
Things to remember always
In the journey of self-discovery and personal growth, embracing certain principles that serve as guiding lights is essential. When we are young, there is often a rush to swiftly achieve milestones, a process that proves invaluable as it allows for accumulating experience. Every step taken, every failure faced, and every triumph achieved contributes to the continual refinement of oneself. It’s not easy to adapt to all of these principles, but when you shape your mindset towards your principles, you become more mature.
- Let go of what no longer serves you. Energies. People. Habits. Create space for what’s meant to be.
- Celebrate your wins no matter how big or small. Give yourself credit for the growth and momentum you’ve achieved in your journey.
- Focus on progress, not perfection. The essence lies not in achieving perfection but in consistently delving a bit deeper every day on your path.
- Listen to your intuition. Challenge yourself with the question, “What would the deepest, wisest version of me do in this situation?” and then take action accordingly.
- If you make a mistake, seek to understand rather than judge. Choose to learn rather than criticize. This is how you build wisdom.
My biggest learned life lessons
Our overall achievements are the direct results of the small daily actions that we choose to take. In our journey through life, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, faced with decisions that require a delicate balance between patience and action. Over the years, I’ve acquired two immensely impactful and transformative lessons—key experiences that have shaped my outlook and steered me toward the enriching path of personal development.
Become more observant.
My academic journey in diplomacy at the university equipped me with a valuable skill illuminating my journey from various perspectives. Most valuable lessons often emerge not solely from textbooks but from real-world experiences. Therefore;
- I started to notice everything that surrounds me. Our life is full of examples, ideas, wisdom, mistakes, and experiences.
- I started to collect ideas. Ideas and thoughts tend to evaporate from our minds too fast. Therefore, I built a system to capture them before it’s too late.
- I like reading. I don’t read all day long, but even devoting myself at least 30 minutes per day to reading changes my mindset towards the events.
- I write down everything. This habit has changed many things in my life, leading me to journeys I never imagined.
Don’t rush, but don’t wait.
Says James Clear in his book Atomic Habits. This visual demonstrates the importance of finding a balance between taking action and exercising patience in life. It advocates against hasty choices or impulsive actions, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful contemplation and preparation. At the same time, it warns against perpetual waiting for an ideal moment or perfect alignment of circumstances. Instead, it advocates for discovering that sweet spot – a meaningful progression marked by purposeful steps, while acknowledging the importance of deliberate reflection and patience. The timing for action exists, but it should guided by wisdom and careful consideration.
Build habits
In my latest article, I touched on this topic. Habits are atoms of our lives. One of the turning points in my life was a habit I instilled in myself at this very moment. I started writing down everything I read, saw, and found helpful in a notebook. Over time, it evolved a lot, but if you want to become better you, here’s my formula:
- Before work (morning routine): plan/estimate the most urgent & important tasks.
- During the day: review your notes and tasks and add new ones.
- End of the day: summarize/evaluate/review your notes and ahead for the next day.
Conclusion
It’s totally cool not to be at your absolute best EVERY SINGLE DAY. We’re not robots, after all; we’re human. Life’s more like a rollercoaster than a straight line; there are ups and downs, and that’s what makes us who we are. Some days, you might feel like conquering the world; others, you might want to get through the day. What truly counts is consistency. Every day. Picture this: the sun doesn’t blaze at its brightest every moment of the day, but it still remains a constant presence, warming us and lighting our ways. Consistency is the golden key to reaching any goal. It’s not about going all out every single time; it’s about giving your best, whatever that may be in the moment. Always remember: Success is more like a marathon than a sprint. Every day counts, even if we’re not giving it our 100%. It’s the consistent effort that propels us forward in the long run.
Last but not least…
The world starts and ends entirely inside our minds. That lesson will repeat itself until you learn it. No matter what happens, you won’t enjoy anything if you get there at the expense of your mental health. If you keep one hand on your past and one hand on your future, you will never have either. To embrace tomorrow, you must let go of yesterday.