Today I turn 45, which has had me reflecting on where I currently am, where I’m heading and what I’ve learned over my years on the planet. What would I do differently? Am I on the right track? What’s important to me? And so on…. and as I’m one that reflects on paper, I thought I’d share with you 45 lessons or pieces of advice I’ve learnt by the age of 45!
1) Always take action. I love to dream, I love to set goals but if I don’t ‘take action’ they will not come to fruition
2) Travelling is the best form of education
3) Perfect life balance does not exist, different things take over as priorities at different times, and that’s OK
4) Cherish your moments with your children; they grow up and become independent in the blink of an eye
5) You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with… choose wisely
6) Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life
7) Owning a house with a pool is a pain in the backside…. pools are a nightmare to maintain over a period of time and cost you a small fortune!
8) Read books, lots of books….. successful CEOs love to read (it’s a proven fact)
9) Never stop learning, and commit to your self-development, it’s the best investment you will make
10) Drink lots of water and keep a water bottle close by so you don’t forget to take sips throughout the day
11) You don’t have to be a gym junkie or a marathon runner (unless you want to of course!), do exercise that you enjoy and love to do
12) If you boil the kettle, make the cup of tea!
13) Work hard – most things will not get handed to you on a plate
14) Brush your teeth twice a day, without fail
15) Don’t gossip, it’s not the type of person you want to be or be known for
16) Don’t ‘bully’ or put people down – girls/ladies can be cruel, don’t buy into it. I’m fortunate to have never been subject to bullying but it amazes me how much of it happens, amongst adults as well as children
17) Surround yourself by the right people, those that uplift and support you, not only in the good times but also at times that are challenging
18) Leave your past exactly there… in the past
19) Live in the present and focus on the now, it’s good to plan for the future but don’t get stuck on a ‘plan’ and forget to live in the moment
20) Find your tribe, those whom make you feel happy and good about yourself
21) Learn to say ‘no’, this took me a long time to master but was well worth it
22) Always ‘give back’. It’s important to contribute to your partner, your family, your friends, your colleagues and the greater community
23) ‘Giving back’ doesn’t have to be financial, it’s just as important to volunteer or give you time and/or advice
24) Not everyone has to like you, and that’s perfectly OK
25) Eat your greens!
26) Talk to your children, have conversations
27) Try not to keep making the same mistakes or you’ll keep being sent the same lesson until you do finally learn
28) Learn to cook, it’s very therapeutic
29) Never EVER vent on social media, it’s not cool and one of my pet hates (and something I really don’t understand why people do!)
30) Be a mentor as you get older, you have lots to share that can be valuable to others
31) Always say please and thank you – without fail. Manners are important
32) Give your partner and/or family a hug and tell them you love them, you never know what’s around the corner and don’t want to live with any regrets
33) Manager your finances and your debts, it’s important to be able to sleep at night
34) It’s OK to love glitter and sparkle, and get really excited around birthdays and Christmas, even at 45!
35) Believe in Santa and his magic, it does exist
36) Be kind, treat others as you would like to be treated
37) Set goals and work towards them relentlessly, little by little but every day
38) Be proud of your achievements, it’s important to SHINE!
39) Learn a second language or play a musical instrument, it’s the best way to prevent dementia and keep your brain functioning at its best
40) Life is not always a bed of roses. It’s OK to withdraw, cry, reflect and heal, but coax yourself back into a positive space as soon as you feel capable. Every cloud has a silver lining and it’s imperative you find it, even when times feel challenging
41) Write down your feelings and journal, it can help you understand, gain clarity and progress. Writing is a very powerful skill
42) Experiences are well far more than material things
43) If you have to take harsh action or deliver bad news, try and end on a positive note, no matter how hard this may be
44) Network, network, network – it’s one of the best ways to grow your business and spread your message
45) Be grateful for all that you have and live life to the fullest, you only get one shot at it!
Now it’s time to celebrate – Happy Birthday to me!
