Life Lessons
4 One-Sentence Life Lessons I Hope You Learn In Your Thirties (if Not Twenties)
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
While the twenties often get all the glory as the decade for self-discovery and wild adventures, your thirties are when the game truly gets interesting.
This is when the universe throws curveballs at you, not to catch you off-guard, but to test what you’ve learned so far.
The question is, are you prepared to catch them or will you duck and miss out on becoming the person you are destined to be?
I invite you to stick around because the life lessons I’m about to share can literally shape the course of your future.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Heads up: I first shared this article a while ago, but I know it’s new for many of you. So, I’ve freshened it up and brought it back. Dive in, especially if it’s your first time!
#1 — “Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.”
Why stumble over the same rock that tripped your friend? Isn’t it much easier to avoid that rock in the first place?
George Bernard Shaw once said,
“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.”
But what if you could save yourself from the embarrassment and heartache of a mistake by learning from someone else? Wouldn’t that be something?
Now, I’m not saying you should live your life on the sidelines, vicariously experiencing things through others.
But when someone around you stumbles or falls, it’s not a sign of weakness to take a moment and reflect on how you can avoid the same fate.
In the grand tapestry of life, each person’s experience serves as a cautionary tale or a beacon of inspiration for others.
Take advantage of that collective wisdom.
So, here’s the takeaway for you;
Watch, learn, and act accordingly. Whenever you see someone making a mistake that you are likely to make, make a mental note.
When a similar situation arises in your life, you’ll be better prepared.
#2 — “Successful people prepare, and unsuccessful people compare.”
Did you know that people who compare themselves to others are 23% more likely to experience symptoms of burnout? Shocking, right?
You see, we live in an age of constant comparison, thanks to social media platforms where everyone’s life looks like a highlight reel.
But here’s the kicker: The game of life is not won by those who are better at scrolling through Instagram feeds; it’s won by those who are better at preparing for what really matters.
Tim Ferriss, the author of ‘The 4-Hour Workweek,’ wisely says,
“Focus on being productive instead of busy.”
The point here is not to focus on what others are doing but rather to focus on what you need to do to grow and succeed.
Comparing yourself to others is not only futile but also mentally draining. On the other hand, preparation paves the way for success by allowing you to take meaningful actions that get you closer to your goals.
Many people think that preparing means you have to have it all figured out. But let’s be real, Nobody has everything figured out, and that’s okay.
Preparation is not about predicting the future; it’s about making the future more predictable through planning and focused action.
So, how to prepare effectively?
- Set clear goals — Know what you want and jot it down. Make it specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
- Create an action plan — Break down your goals into smaller tasks and set timelines for each. A plan turns a goal from a wish into a possibility.
- Track progress — Use a planner, an app, or good old-fashioned journaling to keep track of your progress. Make adjustments to your plan as needed.
- Focus on self-improvement — Invest time in learning new skills, improving your existing skills, and expanding your knowledge.
- Limit social media time — Make a conscious effort to spend less time looking at other people’s lives and more time focusing on your own.
- Celebrate small wins — Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress. Celebrate it!
Next time you catch yourself comparing, ask yourself, “Is this pushing me forward or holding me back?” If it’s the latter, you know what to do.
So, here’s the key takeaway for you…
- Success comes to those who prepare, not to those who are stuck in the cycle of endless comparison.
- Preparing is about making your future more predictable through planning and taking meaningful actions.
- Stop comparing yourself to others and start focusing on your own journey.
- Limit your exposure to triggers like social media, and concentrate on what truly contributes to your growth and well-being.
It’s not the most glamorous approach, but it works.
Trust me, it’s better to be the person who’s too busy working on their own grass to notice if someone else’s is greener.
Here’s my take on why comparing yourself to others is a trap and how to truly break free:
#3 — “Choose or not choose — you still are making a choice.”
Did you know that on an average day, an adult makes about 35,000 remotely conscious decisions? Mind-blowing, right?
Each decision, no matter how small, has the potential to change the course of your life. And here’s the kicker; When you think you’re avoiding a decision, you’re actually making one.
“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.”
Said Jordan Belfort. So what story are you telling yourself?
French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre put it best: “We are our choices.”
So, what choice are you making by not choosing?
People think not choosing keeps options open.
In reality, they’re letting better opportunities pass by.
- Recognize when you’re not choosing — Acknowledge your indecision when it happens.
- Set a deadline — Give yourself a timeframe to make the decision.
- Take action — Make a choice and stick with it.
Here’s the challenge for you;
For the next week, consciously make quicker decisions on small matters. See how it changes your sense of control.
So, the next time a decision is before you, what will you do?
Here’s my in-depth guide on making tough choices:
#4 — “Motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing.”
Did you ever hear about the “Monday Syndrome?” People often start their new workout routines, diets, or other personal projects on a Monday, motivated to take control.
But by the time Friday rolls around, most have already given up.
Why? The answer lies in the difference between motivation and discipline.
Jim Rohn, a renowned motivational speaker, put it brilliantly:
“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”
Motivation is the initial burst of energy you feel when you decide to take action. It’s exciting and exhilarating, but it’s also temporary.
Discipline, on the other hand, is the engine that keeps you moving even when the excitement fades away.
The general belief is that if you’re motivated, you will achieve your goals. However, motivation is fickle; discipline is what truly matters for long-term success.
Here are some practical steps you can follow:
- Identify triggers — Understand what triggers motivation and use it to kickstart your discipline.
- Set small goals — Rome wasn’t built in a day. Start small and create achievable milestones that’ll make you want to keep going.
- Create a routine — Consistency is key. Make a daily or weekly routine to help keep yourself accountable.
Here’s the challenge for this one;
For the next 30 days, pick a goal that you’ve been putting off. Use that initial motivation to set the pace, and then establish a disciplined routine to carry you through the month.
Note your progress and adjust your plan as needed.
So, are you ready to move from the fickle realm of motivation to the rock-solid foundation of discipline? Your future self will thank you for it.
Check out my in-depth article on why discipline slips through your fingers:
That’s It — Try It
Your thirties can be a transformative decade, and the wisdom in these lessons can be your guiding star.
I’ve personally found that making a conscious effort to avoid repeating others’ mistakes has saved me a lot of heartache.
I’m also embracing the discipline of preparing over comparing, and I can honestly say it’s been a game-changer for me. I’m still a work in progress, as we all are, but every day is a chance to grow and learn.
So what’s stopping you from making these lessons part of your daily life? Are you clinging to the safety net of indecision?
Do you find yourself scrolling through social media comparing your life to someone else’s highlight reel? Or are you waiting for that magical surge of motivation?
Take a moment to reflect on these life lessons and how they can be applied to your own journey.
I encourage you to pick at least one lesson and make it your mantra for a week or even a month. Journal your experiences and measure the impact it has had on your daily life.
Life’s too short to learn everything the hard way. Use these life lessons as stepping stones, and you’ll find that your path becomes that much easier to navigate.
It’s your life, your journey, your choice. Make it a wise one.
All the best,
Zohvib
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