60 Life Lessons

 60 life lessons to remember in the new year:

   Val’s Afahar

1 lost money can be found; lost time is lost forever 

2 to learn, unlearn, relearn and then change yourself is a superpower  

3 you are not your job 

4 networking is about giving 

5 the best teacher is your last mistake 

6 good manners is as important as good education 

7 do not take your good health for granted 

8 be a better friend and value relationships  

9 if you are waiting for a title to lead, you are not ready to lead 

10 a work sponsor is more important than a mentor 

11 a good story is data with a soul  

12 stop worrying about what others think of you 

13 if you want an easier life, work on harder problems 

14 best teachers are life long students 

15 imposter syndrome is real, and a good thing 

16 fight against a sense of entitlement 

17 half the battle is showing up 

18 love and cherish your parents by giving them your time 

19 success is not accidental 

20 the best views are there for those who love the climb 

21 lucky people work harder 

22 takers may end up with more, but givers sleep better at night 

23 memorizing is not learning 

24 it is okay to look back, just don’t stare 

25 knowing is not acting - I can > IQ

26 straight roads do not make great drivers 

27 good listeners hear the unsaid (listen with your eyes)

28 be the person that you want to follow 

29 do not limit your contribution to a job description 30 take care of your parents - the best gift that you can give yourself  

31 customer service is not a department 

32 in the long run, the optimists create the future  

33 never ruin an apology with excuses 

34 salary is for expenses. equity is wealth - do not rent your time. 

35 do not take a caring boss, joyful work or steady income for granted 

36 as you get older, you love your parents more 

37 challenge assumptions, starting with your own 

38 we learn more from disagreements 

39 best gift you can give yourself is quality time with parents 

40 the older you get the less you care about what others think of you 

41 be a good person but do not waste time trying to prove it  

42 be comfortable with saying ‘I don’t know’ - there are no experts of tomorrow  

43 being self-aware is a key to learning and growth; know yourself 

44 first, invest in yourself, then help others win 

45 if the answer is no, do not say maybe or yes  

46 Don’t just translate, write something new and original; write for yourself - writing improves your thinking 

47 It’s more important to do the right thing than to win an argument 

48 do not buy your children what you never had, teach them what you never knew  

49 begin with the end in mind 

50 to make progress on your to-do list, you must also keep a to-don’t list 

51 leave everything and everyone better than you found them  

52 be kind and polite to everyone  

53 Here’s how luck finds you: 

—Work harder than expected  

—Stay teachable 

—Give without expecting a get 

—Read and write more 

—Show up on time 

—Focus on your customers 

—Develop good manners 

—Be humble 

—Be kind and generous 

—Surround yourself with smarter people  

54 The bosses we remember: 

—provided us a safe space to grow 

—opened career doors 

—defended us when we needed it 

—recognized and rewarded us 

—developed us as leaders 

—inspired us to stretch higher 

—led by example 

—told us our work mattered 

—forgave us when we made mistakes  

55 The older you get, the more quiet you become. Life humbles you so deeply as you age. You realize how much nonsense you’ve wasted time on.

56 Hire based on high rate of learning and good judgment

57 straight lines do not make great drivers

58 stand in the middle of the road for too long and you may get hit from both sides - be decisive 

59 if you do not know the answer, it is okay to say 'I don't know, but I will find out'

60 do not follow or admire mean people - be the person that you would want to follow