Here are some lessons I've learned about life and what I wished I knew as a younger man.
- LIFE:
- You are more than just your job.
- Be grateful for what you have.
- There are good people from all backgrounds.
- Don't worry what everyone else thinks about you, just be yourself.
- Travel and/or live overseas and learn about other cultures.
- Give money to charity, even if you don't have very much to give.
- Be honest with yourself and others.
- Question everything (including this list).
- Keep a towel with you all at times (see the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy).
- Everyone has a story to tell, but it doesn't mean that anyone can or should write a book, novel, memoir, or screenplay.
- Tip well. But, if you get bad service, say it with your tip. Better than letting someone do something to your food/drinks.
- VOTE. If you don't, you have no right to complain about our government.
- Don't cheat. You're the one who loses out the most.
- BREATHE. If you have a big test, meeting, presentation, speech, audition, concert, ceremony, or interview, make sure you take deep breaths, relax, focus on the task ahead, and go out there with a clear head.
- Your baby is not the cutest, smartest or most developed one in the bunch. It's just not possible. Sorry.
- College is not the real world, no matter how many graduation speakers tell you that.
- Be able to admit you were wrong. It's much worse when someone else figures it out first.
- Somebody "smelt" it and somebody dealt it. Sometimes they are the same somebody.
- It's OK to ask for help.
- Most people can't do the robot as well as they THINK they can.
- These colors do run.
- Don't say that you "literally" did something. It makes you sound stupid. You actually did something.
- Don't use "like" as a place-filler. It makes you like sound stupid.
- If you have a JD, PhD, MD, or MBA you are not any smarter or better than anyone else.
- There is a difference between acting desperate and being actively interested. Desperation smells bad.
- Mentor someone.
- Don't trust people when they agree to say something is in confidence. It's a line people feed to get info from you.
- HEALTH:
- Waffles, pancakes, cookies, and cinnamon rolls are MAGIC.
- Take care of your eyes, ears, teeth and feet when you're young. (You'll want them to work when you're old)w
- Detach. It's the only way to stay sane in a world full of chaos, greed, and suffering. Detaching frees you to enjoy all the good things in life, while not letting the bad things get to you.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Shop around for doctors, just like you do for everything else in life. Always get a second opinion.
- Learn to sleep in uncomfortable places, like in the back of a VW, on a Parisian train station bench, and on an airplane.
- Make sure the milk/cream hasn't gone bad at restaurants and cafés. Look for the little floaties.
- Don't settle for a bad or mediocre haircut. Shell out the extra few bucks it takes to get a cut that will project confidence, expresses your personality, and doesn't look like a drunken monkey used shears on you while you were sleeping. If you go somewhere and they butcher you, go back and ask them to fix it - for free.
- Exfoliate, moisturize, floss (or stimudent), kill that unibrow, and wash your hands.
- Finish your antibiotics as prescribed.
- Always keep your ID with you. If you get hurt and you're unconcscious, the cops/paramedics/good samaritan can find you're loved ones.
- WORK:
- Do what you love!
- Do the work. Nobody else can do it for you.
- Don't steal people's lunches at work.
- Don't complain, come up with a solution. People hate WHINERS.
- Take a class on how to use Excel, or at least read a book on it. It will be your savior.
- On your first day of work, don't ask what time your lunch or your 1st break is. It immediately shows that you are not a hard worker.
- Set boundaries right away when starting a new job. If you will not do something, hold fast to it. If your company doesn't get it, move on. It's not worth it and it sounds like a bad fit.
- Young workers (fresh out of college) - You are not entitled to anything. Just because your parents/guardians told you every moment of your life that you are the best, most-talented, prettiest, smartest, etc., doesn't make it true. This is your wake up call.
- A Bachelor's degree is the modern equivalent of a H.S. Diploma.
- Get experience, work hard, LISTEN, know what the market will bear (http://www.salary.com) for your position, experience, education, and work ethic, and be honest with yourself about that.
- HOME:
- Be organized.
- Pay your bills on time.
- Don't spend money on your credit card unless you have the cash in your bank account.
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
- Learn something new every day.
- Read books.
- Use rechargeable batteries.
- Turn down the volume on your iPod. You're going deaf.
- Goo-gone, Febreeze and Stain Stick are must-haves.
- Keep your receipts, so when expensive stuff breaks, you can get your money back without a huge hassle.
- Get caller ID.
- Get regular oil changes in your car and check the tire pressure. Don't let your tank get below 50%. Running out of gas is a big pain, esp. on the highway/freeway.