4 Life Lessons I Stole From People Wiser Than Me
Being stupid is a choice not all of us can afford.
Ricky Gervais, an English comedian actor, believes:
“When you are dead, you do not know you are dead. It’s only painful and difficult for others. The same applies when you are stupid.”
I get it. It’s not your fault. Our life presents us with different circumstances and challenges.
Life lessons can differ from person to person. For example, an orphan knows the pain of loneliness, and a poor person knows the pain of bread and butter. Our teachings are different, but our approach and reactions make us human.
In other words, an empath strategy helps anyone fit in with multiple people. You don’t need to be brought up with problems to communicate well with people. All you need is the proper guidance. This way, you know how to behave, act, and respond ideally.
Remember that being stupid is a choice not all of us can afford. Below are four life lessons I stole from people wiser than me.
Let’s get started.
1. Bridges to burn and bridges to cross.
From: Bertrand Russell
Life isn’t fair, and it never will be.
The same happened to Bertrand Russell. After his father’s death, Bertrand was alone and was responsible for looking after his grandparents. When he got the scholarship to study Maths at Trinity College Cambridge, he quickly realized his potential for mathematics subject and his love for literature and poetry.
Had he not taken chances, Russell would never explore the potential that led him to win the Nobel Prize.
In life, you encounter various individuals, objects, and prospects, yet not all are compatible with you. Therefore, you need to pick the right opportunities and discard the ones that don’t fit. It’s a hard decision, I agree.
No person who stuck with two decisions simultaneously was ever happier. It’s best to stick with a firm “One.” It may hurt people, but not making a decision won’t necessarily stop hurting.
What happens, happens for good. Trust the process. The bridges burning is a sign of moving forward.
2. Life isn’t tied with a bow but is still a gift.
From: Regina Brett
Brett comes from a harsh background: siblings, less parental attention, and more family disputes.
However, Brett was born in Ohio, USA. To those who think being in the USA solves all your problems, it doesn’t. You can’t make a place home without effort.
I agree with all the American dream bullsh*t. It’s the effort that makes a home, not the material. Regina soon realizes that her life is a gift. She could have these things:
- disability
- dependence
- hefty loan
But she didn’t, meaning there was no point in crying. From there forward, she stepped up and started writing her thoughts, motivational speaking, and podcasting.
It’s never too late.
Acknowledge that life is a gift. You may realize if you ever got to meet people who died.
3. Underpromise and overdeliver
From: George Bradt
A simple concept: your boss asked you to complete one assignment, but you completed 4 in advance.
I came across this idea first while reading an article by George Bradt. Sooner, I realized how George legally gambled in the corporate world using this strategy.
In other words, you try to become “unique.”
Our life is in autopilot mode. Doing “less” or “more” tends to highlight and make us stand out. Since learning this strategy, I have realized how easy it is to manage delightful relations and prove your worthiness, potential and brisk results.
This business philosophy is excellent when you’re a new employee. In the long term, ensure it doesn’t squat on you.
Overdelivering, in other words, means more work.
People may assume that you are always available if you appear to work quickly. Keep track of that.
4. Why let go of yesterday? Because yesterday has already let go of you
From: Steve Maraboli
We all make mistakes.
Mistakes learned in childhood are 90% more inexpensive than those made in adulthood.
Learning lessons at the right time is essential, followed by forgiving. Learn from the past, but don’t hold onto it like it limits your character and your worth.
Steve Maraboli, as a military veteran and philanthropist working in 40 countries, realized how yesterday means nothing if you can make your today memorable.
Learn from your mistakes. Let go of yesterday’s (problems and mistakes).
In other words, make it a rinsing process.
- Step 1: get up, write about the problems that are bothering you
- Step 2: burn, throw, or flush it out of your system
- Step 3: sleep on it (breakfast, lunch, or enjoy) to forget what happened
Make your mind flexible to forgive and forget.
The way forward
Life lessons are a savior for our lives ahead.
Like my mother believes:
“If we sit with ten people and learn about their problems daily, we’d have a foolproof plan to face problems and shoo them away before they come.”
Everybody learns — but you don’t need to learn the hard way.
The four above quotes are a savior for you. Always remember: the best is yet to come!
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