This is an idea that I have essentially stolen from the Blog of John Welbourn (ex NFL player and founder of crossfit football) who shared his own list a couple of years ago. I encourage you to check that out too as there are some wise words that we could all do with taking on board. I also encourage you to try the same exercise. Pour yourself either a coffee or a glass of red, find a fire to sit by and grab a notepad and work through your year.
From me to you, written bluntly and in no particular order here are my Lessons from 2015:
- Fail, fail big, fail often: Failing is when you learn, ditch the ego and start pushing yourself. It will accelerate your successes like nothing else
- Understand things: If someone tells you something ask why. Understand either the theory or their thought process. Don’t blindly accept dogma, try to figure it out for yourself.
- Focus on the basics: your gym program should be squat, bench, dead & chins. When I’m travelling often this is all I have time to do. It still works. Apply the principle to other disciplines too.
- No zero days: If you want to be really good at something then do it every day.
- Manage your inputs: You are what you surround yourself with. Cut out the office gossip and reality TV or your mind will suffer.
- Great minds discuss ideas, poor minds discuss people
- Build a board: Understand the kind of people you need in your life and build a board for your own personal development.
- Don’t be afraid to keep your circle small
- Get out from behind the keyboard: Work with people, there are too many fake experts hiding behind their Instagram filters selling shitty products or plans. The best people actually work with people. If someone is posting multiple times a day it’s a red flag.
- Regret nothing: If something has happened then you can’t change it. Regret is pointless, Move on and make the best of the situation you are currently in.
- Early to bed, early to rise: Sleep makes you unstoppable, don’t balls it up by watching repeats of the big bang theory until 11pm.
- Don’t eat carbs in the morning: The one nutrition rule to rule them all.
- Be adaptable: Have a plan but understand the likelihood is that it will have to change. Don’t spit your dummy out, revise and make a new plan. In our current world adaptability is the no.1 transferable skill you can have.
- Wear many hats: We are living in the age of the generalist, having 1 narrow career is a risk, diversify. It will make you resilient.
- Back is the new chest, hamstrings are the new arms: If you’re spending your gym time doing cable crossovers or 21s then you’re an idiot. Build muscles that will make you a better human, no one cares about your Ibiza profile picture, no amount of chest muscle will make that Aztec print deep cut vest look good.
- Stand up: I have committed to never sitting down on public transport, yes people think it’s weird but it has resolved my back issues and makes me feel great. If you’re sitting down, ask yourself ‘could I do this standing up’. Join the revolution.
- Live simply: Google and understand the ‘hedonic treadmill’, now vow to only spend money on bills and food for the next few months. You will be surprised at what you now find important in life.
- Move in silence: I realise the irony of including this in a list that will be published on a blog and via social media, hopefully you get the distinction. Not everything has to go on social media. By regularly posting you are externalising your happiness and living your life by likes. This is ridiculous, live your life for you not your ‘followers’.
- Write: We all have many great thoughts and troubling thoughts, both of which can be improved by writing them down. Start journaling.
- Be disciplined with the small things: If something can be done now then do it. Make your bed, wash up after your meal, put rubbish in the bin. It may seem incidental but you are saving yourself time as well as developing a resolve that will serve you well elsewhere.
- Be a man: If you are male and you aren’t cooking something, creating something and lifting something heavy at least once a week then hand your testicles back, you don’t need them.
- Listen to podcasts: Fill dead time with educational podcasts to help broaden your knowledge, develop your interests and get others perspective on things. The Little Mix album on repeat will do none of those things.
- Relax: Meditate, use breathing exercises, whatever. Just do something that calms your physiology.
- Network: Life is all about who you know. Be better at meeting important people and becoming friends with them. I’ve had some crazy opportunities just by following up on links and being nice to people. Even if someone won’t be directly helpful to you connecting them with others helps build your web.
- Build rapport: Learn how to make people feel at ease with you and warmth towards you. It’s quite important.
- Make decisions quickly: Don’t stew on things, make a call and see it through.
- Drink less, but higher quality, coffee and wine.
- Spend more time with animals: There are few problems in the world that can’t be solved by spending time with an animal. Their combination of cute and stupid creates instant mindfulness.
- Stop drinking as much: If you feel you’ve wasted a weekend by not going out then you have an issue. If you can’t socialise without alcohol then you have an issue. See below.
- Deal with your demons: Everyone has issues, deal with them. There are enough resources or professionals around now to help. Don’t go through life as a martyr to your issues.
- You are your body language: Get your head up and your shoulders back. It will make you a better person.
- If you don’t feel like exercising then that is likely a time you need to exercise.
- Have a passion: there are few things as torturous as conversing with someone who is without a passion in their life. Passion is energising, interesting and keeps you sane. Find one and develop it.
- Have intent: Don’t live your life by accident. Decide what you want and go and get it.
Finally I would like to wish all the readers a Happy New Year. I truly appreciate anyone that has taken the time to read any of my posts and if you have found anything, even slightly, useful then I am happy. Many Thanks.