25 Things I Learned at 25
Last week, I celebrated my 26th birthday, another 365 days around the sun. Reflecting over my 25th, the quarter century taught me, challenged me, and aged me in many ways. There were many pivots, lessons, and highlights which made it special but also many challenges and trials which taught me life lessons that I’ll be using throughout my life. Although 25 years is not long, it’s enough time to call out some key lessons to share with many who know me or have followed my journey.
1. Disconnect to reconnect with yourself.
With social media playing a pivotal role in our lives, we tend me give our feeds more time than we should be giving. Disconnecting from social media and reconnecting with yourself can help bring clarity to our values and passions.
2. You’ve reached 50% of your goal just by showing up.
I have many goals, and sometimes it can be challenging to follow them. But making it a priority and showing up takes you to 50% of that goal. Showing up means messaging someone who can support you or creating an action plan on how you’ll achieve that goal.
3. Love yourself by saying no.
Many of us face difficulties when it comes to saying no. There are many reasons we might be afraid to say no, including fear of failure, the need to be competitive, not letting others down, and the fear of breaking trust, among many others. But saying no is an opportunity to reprioritize your own goals and focus on your development.
4. Your only competition is you.
Look yourself in the mirror. What do you need to do to be a better version of yourself? Everyone has their own story and their own journey. What do YOU need to step it up and get one step closer to your goal?
5. Your priorities come first.
As you get older, responsibilities increase. Taking the time to reprioritize what you need vs. what you want is critical. This also counts for people and experiences.
6. Life comes at you fast; keep your head up.
Life is dynamic. Every day is different. Things will happen unexpectedly, but you must keep your head high. It’s not about how you react but how you respond to those situations.
7. Shut down your monkey brain.
Balancing work, personal life, academics, relationships, responsibilities, and other aspects of your life is difficult. So many thoughts, so many feelings, so many tasks. Take time to prioritize your tasks and give yourself time to focus and be present.
8. If you want to be a master at something, teach it.
Don’t underestimate yourself. You’re smart. You’re valued. You carry experiences and opinions that matter. Take the one or few things you’re passionate about and good at and teach them to others. Carry it forward. Not only will you be supporting others, but you’ll also be mastering what you love.
9. Balance your social media intake.
The past year has been filled with gloom, conflict, and, honestly, negative news. This can significantly affect how you carry yourself and your thoughts and influence your behaviour. Balance what you intake from social media by deleting or pausing apps or changing how you consume information.
10. Routines are everything.
Create a routine for yourself. Not a full-day routine (unless you want to), but a morning, mid-day, or end-of-say routine can help keep you organized and calm. Following a routine can maintain your energy levels, prioritize yourself, and improve your mental health.
11. Leadership is about people first.
Working with different people in different work settings toward different goals, I’ve recognized that leadership is about putting people first. It’s about identifying people’s strengths and weaknesses, optimizing them to improve operations, and making them feel valued. Put people first, and acknowledge their stories and journeys.
12. Strengthen your story.
Over the past few years, I’ve discovered who I am and what I hope to bring with me to different settings. It’s almost like creating your personal “value proposition.” Sharing my story and values has helped me build relationships, network with like-minded people, and build a community.
13. Ask yourself, “what would Kobe do?”
To be great, you have to think like those who are great. Those who have been there, having gone through adversities, jumped barriers and set a new standard for themselves. Again, you are your competition. What can you do differently today?
14. Focus on sustainability.
Long-term thinking. Instant gratification can be toxic. The end goal may be far, but what steps are you taking today that will take you there?
15. Staying home on the weekend can be just as fun as going out.
This is pretty self-explanatory. Find a comfy couch, get some popcorn, and watch a good TV show or movie. Give yourself time to recuperate and rejuvenate after busy weeks.
16. You have a voice; use it.
25 is an interesting age/ life period. You’re an emerging professional, still developing key skill sets, simultaneously networking with those in the industry. Finding the space to share opinions and thoughts on trends, ideas, and strategies can be daunting. But the truth is, your age doesn’t determine how much space you deserve. Take up the space you are in because you’re there for a reason. Be bold and confident. Your lived experience is valued. You have the youthful energy that many industries need to be successful.
17. What you put into things is what you get out of them.
Whether it’s personal and professional development, building relationships, doing assignments, or meeting goals, give it your 100%. You’ll soon realize that you don’t want any negative or distracting energy around you. Find your motivators and mentors, give them your full attention, and you’ll be happy to get the energy you put out.
18. Don’t worry about things out of your control.
This is a simple lesson but a very difficult lesson to act on. Many of us have a tendency to control what we do and how we do it. To some extent, even try to control the results and outcomes. The truth is, there might be things we can control, but for the majority, we don’t. Don’t worry about the things that aren’t in your control; if they don’t go your way, respond to them using your values.
19. Be your own advocate.
Using your voice to stand up for yourself is KEY. You can make a difference when you recognize your strengths and areas where you can bring value or opportunities. Use your voice and advocate for yourself. If you are in the space, you are in the space for a reason.
20. There is enormous power in vulnerability.
This is tremendous power in sharing your story with others and in navigating through emotions. Things can get overwhelming, and you might feel like you’re staying static. It’s okay to show emotion, it’s okay to cry and reset. Share your vulnerabilities, there’s strength in being able to overcome difficulties.
21. Everyone won’t like you, and that’s more than okay.
This one is a fun one. There will be many who don’t like you, and honestly, that’s 100% okay. Those who are with you are those who believe in you, who see your value, who respect you, and who will be there during the darkest time. It’s not about the number of people by your side, it’s the quality of people backing you up.
22. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Be a learner. Constantly be in a state of curiosity and exploration. Drive towards being a better version of yourself by acknowledging vulnerabilities, sharing positivity, and staying humble.
23. Find your people. Build your community.
Build a community of like-minded people and keep them close. Ask them to challenge you and give you constructive criticism. Find your supporters and build a quality relationship with them.
24. Being nice is not the same as being kind.
You’ll come across many nice people. But nice people aren’t always kind. When someone is nice, they say or do something “pleasing” or “delightful.” Those who are kind go out of their way to show you how much they care. Usually, doing something nice comes with the expectation to reciprocate. Doing something kind comes straight from the heart.
25. Don’t take anything personally.
You know who you are. You know what you are capable of. Many around you will judge you, comment on you, and say things out of envy/ jealousy. Don’t take anything personally. Yes, this is much harder to practice than said. But trust me, you don’t know their story, and often they don’t know yours. Stay keen, stay positive, find your community, and move on to continue conquering your dreams.
The past year/ years have taught me a lot, and I’m looking forward to taking these lessons forward into 26 and beyond.
