50 Things I Learned by 50

I’ve been around the block a few times and I’ve learned a few things. Here are a few of my most helpful favorites.

I recently turned 50. I’ve had some amazing experiences over my lifetime. The best is yet to come!

I’ve compiled 50 of my favorite lessons and am sharing them with you. I’ll be expanding more for some of the lessons - and if you look through the archives here at Happy AF, you’ll find I’ve already expanded on some of them. 

What follows are the 50 things I’ve learned at 50. I hope they are as helpful to you as they’ve been to me.

I reserve the right to unlearn any of them as new information presents itself. 

Thanks DALL-E for making this picture of me

1. Put your own oxygen mask on first

2. Family matters - always 

3. Family is who you choose to have in your life

4. You always have a choice - and not choosing is a choice 

5. Just get started 

6. Write what you’d want your eulogy to say when your life is complete. Take at least one step towards becoming that person every day.

7. Some people will believe in you before you do. Listen to them and keep them close.

8. If you need to wear dress clothes and you don’t buy the no iron kind, outsource the ironing of them to someone else. 

9. Like what you like and don’t ever apologize for it

10. Interested > Interesting 

11. Value > volume 

12. Service IS sales

13. Quality > Quantity

14. 3 Hs rule: Human, Helpful, Humble

15. Connection starts with Happy Birthday 

16. Expecting other people to have “common sense” or to do the “right thing” is a great way to be disappointed. 

17. If it isn’t a “heck yes” it should be a “heck no.”

18. Sharing your light makes the world a brighter place for all of us 

19. Cheering others on will never go out of style

20. Morning walks rock 

21. You’ll be too much for some people. That’s ok. 

22. Until you believe in yourself, it’s going to be very hard for other people to believe in you.

23. Tell people what you love and appreciate about them now before they die. 

24. Create habits over goals

25. It takes 66 days to create a habit

26. Vulnerability > Fake Strength

27. Get to know yourself really well 

28. Do more of what you’re good at and stop doing the rest 

29. Leverage the 80/20 rule 

30. Never stop learning.

31. Strive to be the dumbest person in the room 

32. Rest as much as you push - I used to say “I’ll sleep when I’m dead!” And I meant it. No more!

33. 1 page a day or 1 push-up a day makes a difference 

34. Every relationship is a long term relationship

35. Make time to learn a little every day 

36. Try everything at least twice 

37. Get comfortable being with yourself 

38. You don’t have to share everything about your life or your work 

39. It’s smart to change your mind when you get new information 

40. Create a “kitchen cabinet” of 5 or fewer key people that you listen to and ignore most other people.

41. Pick up some new knowledge every day.

42. Drop off some of your knowledge every day.

43. Say thank you specifically whenever possible.

44. Practice gratitude every day (3 things) 

45. Learn to have an executive presence 

46. Having a few really good friends makes all the difference in the world.

47. Embrace “the practice” to get better 

48. Good - Fast - Cheap - you only get to pick two 

49. Finish what you started

50. Go the extra mile

Which one did you find the most interesting? Which one makes no sense to you?

If you got this via email, reply privately and let me know. If you prefer, leave a message on the article and let’s learn together.