Life Lessons | Part 1

The series covers life lessons I shared with my college students and employees over 25 years as an executive, teacher, and board member.

While I don't believe there are shortcuts in life, I know we can glean wisdom from others to help us on our path. I hope these tips will help you on your journey.

1. Identify your priorities and put them in order. For example, it may be Career, Family, and Social Interests in your early twenties. But in your forties: Family, Social Interests, and Career. The main thing is aligning your life with your priorities.

2. Have a passion for what you do. If you don't feel ignited, consider another field! Be curious and follow your interests. You will see throughout this list a common theme – LIFE IS SHORT! Please spend it wisely and do something that you love.

3. .Be an active participant in your life. You get out of life what you put into it. Listen to the feedback that you are getting and course correct.

4. Be present. Put your phone down, look around, talk to people, and be in the moment. Smile, make eye contact, and enjoy the ride.

Ask yourself if what you are looking at on social media is adding value to your life or depleting you. While social media feeds may be fun to look at, they can also be harmful, as many people fall into the comparison trap.

As Mark Twain once said, "comparison is the thief of joy."

5. Practice self-reflection. Practice self-reflection. It is a win if you are better today than in previous days, even as little as 1%. 

Journaling is a great way to see what you are thinking and feeling. You can use an app like Day One, which allows you to journal in an encrypted place. There are prompts in the app if you aren't much of a writer. 

If you like analog, that is great too.  Just write your thoughts down. You will find yourself making connections that you likely wouldn't have otherwise.

Here is part 2 of aligning your life’s priorities.