46 Insights from my 46 years here on earth

Recently I celebrated my 46th birthday. Back in 2023 I started something that I think I’ll add to every year moving forward. And that is to share the most important things I’ve learned in my time here on earth.

I hope you find these 46 insights from my 46 years valuable to your own life and leadership.

Here we go…

1. Find faith. It centers you in the midst of chaos.
2. Forgive early and often. Grudges hurt you more than others.
3. Look for the purpose behind your pain.
4. What you allow in your life is what you endorse. Choose wisely.
5. When feedback hurts the most, it’s likely when you most need to hear it.
6. Consistent, small habits make achieving great things possible.
7. Give as much time, effort, and value to your family first. They deserve your first fruits, not your scraps.
8. Relationship changes everything. The more you invest in people, the more value you’ll experience.
9. Play is good for the soul. You’re never too old to let loose a little.
10. The harder you work, the luckier you become.
11. Wealth is about a whole lot more than money.
12. Pick a partner with whom you enjoy having conversations.
13. Let go of things in your life. Possessions are ultimately meaningless in the grand scheme.
14. Try a lot of things. Fail often. Learn from it all.
15. Teach your kids about finances early and often.
16. Live like every day is a gift, and like it’s your last. You’re not guaranteed a tomorrow.
17. Pursue wisdom and impact over fame and wealth.
18. Address relationship issues immediately. The more you let them sit, the deeper they sink into the foundation.
19. What others say is their responsibility. But what you hear is yours.
20. Seek out adventure.
21. If you understand how money works, you won’t have to work as hard for your money.
22. Don’t coddle your children or you’ll create monsters.
23. If you love someone, tell them. Then tell them again.
24. Admit when you make a mistake. You can’t truly begin to learn from it until you acknowledge it.
25. Let others speak first. It conveys respect, and you gain vital insights by giving others the floor first.
26. Be who you are. People value authenticity over most anything else.
27. Influence will get you much better results than authority.
28. If or when you have children, remember that the words you say to them, and how you say them will embed in their heart and brain, and be carried forward for a generation. Speak with love, even when correcting.
29. Guard your reputation closely.
30. You don’t have to accept the first offer.
31. Manage your energy, not your time.
32. Early life experiences will shape who you become. But they don’t have to define who you are.
33. Many situations can be improved with a good night’s sleep and a fresh perspective in the morning.
34. Asking for help doesn’t show weakness.
35. Have a side hustle. Or three. Your ability to create cash flow will increase your ability to also create free time in your calendar.
36. Learn how to say “I’m sorry” well.
37. Prioritize getting good sleep, eating well, and exercising. These can help reduce stress, add years onto your life, and give you immense energy.
38. Don’t tolerate toxic people in your life. You can still love someone without putting yourself in their crosshairs.
39. It’s ok to say “No”.
40. Spend time with people with whom you don’t agree. Gaining exposure to different perspectives is a gift to both of you.
41. The world doesn’t owe you anything.
42. In work and life, find partners that ignite a spark in you, and invest deeply in those relationships.
43. Don’t pass up the opportunity to tell someone how much they matter to you.
44. Before you look outside and judge others, look in the mirror first.
45. Learn to laugh at yourself. Life becomes much easier and more enjoyable when you can find the humor in your own foibles.
46. When you’re suffering, seek out opportunities to serve others. This one simple act has a way of resetting your heart and your mind and reminding you of what’s truly important in life.