Today is my birthday. With my 35 years officially behind me, I thought I’d share some important life lessons I’ve learned over my first 35 years of life. Here they are, in no particular order. 

  1. Perfection is an illusion. Spending time trying to be perfect is a trap. No one is perfect– ever.
  2. Decide intentionally what you want to believe. Being thoughtful about what you believe will give you a creed to live by.  
  3. Gratitude. Be thankful for all that you have. Live in gratitude every day.
  4. God won’t give you more than you can handle. Trust that when contrast happens, everything is happening “for you” not “to you.” It’s God’s plan.
  5. Invest in yourself. Stop investing in others, and start investing in yourself. Period.
  6. Laugh. Take time to smile and laugh a little or a lot. Everyday.
  7. Be limitless. We are infinite! Read this line over and over and let it sink in.
  8. Quality over quantity. Quality beats quantity any day. This belief has turned me into a luxury minimalist.
  9. Eliminate instead of organized. Instead of trying to organize things that no longer serve you, just release them. Vow to give away one thing once a day.
  10. Always have a plan. Strategy is everything in life and relationships. Figure out what you want. Make a plan. Then execute. 
  11. Get as much sleep as you need, no matter what. Rest is the key to feeling well-rested and getting your body, mind, and spirit recharged.
  12. Managing energy–not time–is the key to real productivity. This life lesson will keep you productive for years to come.
  13. Travel by yourself at least once in your life. You’ll be surprised where you find yourself and where life will take you if you go it alone.
  14. Unplug. Quit the cell phone and social media once in a while. It’s good for the soul.
  15. Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated my friends. Drinking lots of water flushes out toxins in the body.
  16. Never apologize for having high standards. People who really want to be in your life will rise up to meet them.
  17. Accumulate experiences and not products. Travel, talk with someone you love, share a dinner with a friend. Acquire memories, not things.
  18. Give away as much as you consume. For every one thing I buy, I give away one thing. Life is about balance or counter-balancing.
  19. Teamwork makes the dream work. Develop a strong team and support system around you.
  20. Ask for help. If you can’t do it by yourself. Just ask for help. 
  21. Find a partner that shares the same values. I’m so happy to have found mine.
  22. Pick your friends wisely. You don’t need 100 friends, you just need one or two friends who are solid as a rock.
  23. Learn how to say ‘no.’ As long as it’s stated politely, people will understand.
  24. Delegate. You can’t do it all. Build a team to help you with your tasks at hand.
  25. Check your finances daily. One of the most essential life lessons I’ve learned. It’s a necessary part of financial wealth.
  26. Spend less than you earn. Your financial free freedom depends on this one principle.
  27. Be frugal until you’re free financially free. Think before you buy. 
  28. People will pay you what you believe your worth. I’m telling now, know your worth and get paid what you deserve.
  29. Happiness is a choice. So is sadness.
  30. Make lists and set goals. It’s an essential part of the process of manifestation.
  31. Look at the results you have in your life. Take time to see where you are. Assess your results showing up in your life. Afterall you created your current reality. 
  32. Say yes to experiences that pull you forward. Don’t stay stuck because you’re afraid to change.
  33. Practice being your future self. Fake it till you make it; eventually, the universe will catch up to your future version of yourself.
  34. The key to having it all is knowing that you already do. Say this affirmation over and over and watch the universe yield to you its glory.
  35.  Live like you give a damn. You were chosen to live the gift of life, so live life unapologetically.
  36. Age ain’t nothing but a number. Yep, for now it ain’t nothing but a thang.