7 Life Lessons as i reach 7 squared

I thought I knew it all at 21. But success isn’t about fame, fortune, or achievement.

Turning 49 last week made me reflect on my journey from a student in the previous century.

He just wanted to get accepted, rich and laid, in a pre-Covid, pre-Brexit, pre-9/11 world.

Here are 7 life lessons I’d impart to that uncouth youth.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝟮𝟭 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂?

1️⃣ It’s the simple things

A good night’s sleep
A delicious meal
Fine company
Good health
Laughter
A hug
Time

Nothing compares to when your kid totters over,
wraps both their arms around your knees,
and looks straight up into your eyes.

2️⃣ Redefining success

“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”

Success looks different as you mature. Embracing this brings freedom.

21 year old me couldn’t have been a brand concierge/ghostwriter.
“Let others take credit for my work? Don’t be ridiculous.”

Now, success for clients fills me with joy.

I’m sound of mind, body and soul.
I have the love of my family.
Also see #1 above.

Result.

3️⃣ Comparison with anyone but yourself is a fool’s game

“Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.”

You don’t know what they sacrificed (or started with).
Comparison to yourself drives incremental gains.

Steady gains = epic changes.

4️⃣ The wise (wo)man knows how little they know

An argument is to find out who’s right.
A discussion is to find out what’s right.

21 year old me was fiercely scientific. If it can’t be measured it doesn’t exist (dark matter notwithstanding).

49 year old me is excited I woke up to 4444 followers on my birthday. If you know, you know.

5️⃣ Life is unpredictable – deal with it

I separated from my 1st wife after 4 months.
As part of the rebound I became a weekend club photographer.
Doing this, I met Jade on the dancefloor.

Some of my biggest wins have come out of nowhere.
Some of my surest bets have gone with the wind.

“The only constant in life is change.”

6️⃣ People are unpredictable – deal with it

People change. People let you down.

21 year old me held grudges for years.
49 year old me shrugs. C’est la vie. Move on.

Meanwhile, the kindness of strangers can transform your day/ life.

7️⃣ Be present – but also grateful for the past and excited for the future

There’s an overwhelming focus on being Present these days.
I get it. Don’t dwell on mistakes, don’t stress about the future.

But are we throwing the baby out with the bath water?

Appreciating the past lets us cherish fond memories.
Anticipating the future is to revel in the possibilities of Life.

~~~
𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 #𝟭 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳
Let me know in the comments…