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- 29 lessons I've learned in 29 years
I just turned 29! 🥳
And what’s the best part of it?
Getting spoiled all month long?
Gathering my favourite people for a celebration?
Reflecting on how much I’ve grown?
Obviously, it’s getting spoiled. (Kidding… kind of.)
Truth is, all of these make this time of year my absolute favourite.
And this year, I’m keeping the tradition alive by sharing the 29 lessons I’ve learned in my 29 years.
Take your time with these — there’s no rush. Some might make you smile, others might make you think. Either way, I’d love to know which one hits home for you.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
Read time: 2.0 minutes
Before we begin: Here’s what you might have missed last week…
29 Big Ideas
Whatever you do, do it well.
Whatever you start, make it your own. Don’t do it like everybody else. Authenticity is prerequisite to a fulfilling and successful life.
You’ll never look good trying to make someone else look bad. Kindness is attractive.
You are responsible for teaching people how to love you. The way you treat yourself and the boundaries you uphold are the first examples of what loving you should look like.
You don’t have to subscribe to other people’s definition of fun.
You will never be criticized by someone ahead of you.
The pain of self-discipline will never be as great as the pain of regret.
You are responsible for regulating your own feelings. You are not a child, stop blaming your boss or the news for your mood and behaviour.
The universe will give you only what you believe you deserve.
Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. Applies to wealth. Applies to habits. You are what you repeatedly do.
90% of the time you spend with your parents is over by the time you leave for college. If you are lucky to have a loving family - because it is truly a privilege - cherish every moment you get to spend with them.
If a proposed activity doesn’t add to your health, happiness, relationships, or wealth - it is taking away from it. Politely decline.
Don't wait for the feeling to come; take action to create it. It's always easier to generate the feeling through action, rather than relying on feelings to prompt action.
“Maybe later” is the obstacle. The whole world is stuck in waiting. Show up now.
Your health is your first foundation.
Emotions are not in your control. Giving meaning to those emotions is. Emotions go away within minutes unless you give them too much meaning. With meaning, emotions become feelings that prompt your thoughts and actions.
Struggle and deadness of the day disappear when you take command of your life. It becomes much more easy and fun when you take responsibility to show up for yourself.
You are not lazy. You just focus on things that don’t matter. You just forgot who you are building everything for.
100 percent of the time is easier than 95 percent of the time. If you want effortless transformation, create and stick to the rules, not preferences.
Extraordinarily successful people have moments of self-doubt, bad habits, gaps in their knowledge, procrastination issues, imperfect routines, insecurities, and even imposter syndrome. But they also know that all these things are perfectly normal. That’s the difference.
You won’t rise to the level of your goals. You will fall to the level of your energy.
Knowing when to quit is a valuable skill. Stop focusing on the sunk cost (the past) and make a decision like the rest of your life depends on it (because it does).
Let go of having to be in control. The only thing worth controlling is the level of importance you give to things.
Learn from the elders: wake up at 6AM, have your last meal by 5PM, and go to bed at 9PM - feel amazing.
Nothing is more predictable in this world than an unpredictable distraction. Learn to say NO.
Life is too short to not do what you love.
Your dreams must be bigger than your drama, distractions, and discouragement.
The most beautiful and irritating part about life ⇒ you create the rules. This is my way of reminding you “whether you believe you can or you can’t - you are right.”
You asked for it. You are responsible. Earn it. Enjoy it.
The Productivist Question:
What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned this year?
Wish you a wonderful week ahead,
Valeriya
PS: What has been the most insightful lesson among the 29? Let me know by hitting reply or DMing me on LinkedIn!
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