Instead of self-victimhood, use failure as a motivator because it can be an incredible gift that leads to growth and better paths.
Be keenly aware of your underlying “why” or purpose for what you do, as this serves as your North Star and provides direction, especially when facing challenges or discomfort.
Utilize practices like meditation and yoga to cultivate a mindset that views life and career as an ongoing journey rather than a fixed destination, fostering continuous engagement and growth.
Consistently practice meditation and breath work to improve brain function, increase resilience, and better respond to difficult situations and failures.
Actively nurture and prioritize relationships, as the quality and quantity of your connections are the best determinants of happiness and fulfillment as you age.
Cultivate deep listening and ask thoughtful questions in conversations, as this is more important than talking, builds strong connections, and allows for intimate understanding of others’ lives.
Actively seek out and take risks, even small ones, that might lead to failure, as stepping out of your comfort zone is a prerequisite for growth and expansion.
Recognize that pursuing massive scale is not always the best or healthiest path for a business or career; instead, focus on building a sustainable, successful venture that brings fulfillment and allows for a balanced life.
Disregard external cultural messages about needing to “go big” in your career; instead, choose a path that genuinely satisfies your personal ambitions and “scratches your particular itch.”
Actively practice gratitude and consistently remind yourself of reasons to be happy, even when facing life’s difficulties and past traumas, to cultivate a more joyful and fulfilled existence.
When faced with a humbling or difficult situation, buckle down, do your best, and work hard at the task at hand, as this can lead to new opportunities and growth.
When a desired opportunity doesn’t materialize, use that failure as a prompt to deeply reconsider what you truly want to do and explore alternative paths.
Instead of strictly separating work and family time, integrate them by allowing ideas to spark during personal moments and incorporating family into work-related travel, especially if you love what you do.
Be willing to expose yourself to potential ridicule or criticism when pursuing new ideas or ventures, as getting comfortable with discomfort is a prerequisite for growth and expansion.
While acknowledging outward privilege, avoid letting a perceived lack of it become a self-fulfilling prophecy that prevents you from pursuing goals, as many successful people overcome significant internal and external difficulties.
Prioritize doing something well and building a fulfilling life over relentlessly chasing extreme financial scale, as a moderate income with a good quality of life is often preferable to immense wealth coupled with a “nightmare” existence.
Consider simplifying your life by minimizing endless financial obligations and material entanglements, allowing you to prioritize what truly matters, such as friendships, relationships, experiences, and family.
If you’re socially awkward or introverted, find a role or mission that gives you “permission” to interact, as focusing on a purpose (like telling a story) shifts the focus away from yourself and allows for connection.
If you have a platform or project with a smaller audience or less executive oversight, use it as an opportunity to experiment and try new, unconventional things.
If you feel awkward in social situations, default to asking people a lot of questions about their lives, as this is an effective way to build connections and make others interested in you.
As a leader, clearly communicate that your personal work habits (e.g., working all the time) are not necessarily expected of your team, ensuring they feel empowered to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
For exercise, use light weights with very slow, controlled repetitions both up and down, as this method creates tension and small muscle tears necessary for health and fitness, especially as you age.
Recognize and appreciate the significant role that luck plays in life’s opportunities and successes, as it can lead to unexpected and profoundly positive outcomes.