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\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nAs we progress through life, hopefully we learn a thing or two along the way. Hopefully we can absorb life’s lessons in a way that not only makes us successful, but happy!<\/p>\n Biz<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n It is not called retirement planning for nothing. There is a delicate balance of variables that should determine the age at which you choose to retire.<\/em><\/p>\n The most successful people in this world who immediately come to mind as early achievers were either child or teen prodigies in their field. Why would you be any different? \u2013 Because very few of us are child\/ teen prodigies, so we have to try and discover our calling early, and work on it.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Learning, making mistakes and perfecting your trade\/craft at as early an age as possible positions you to spend the rest of your career excelling.<\/em><\/p>\n There is nothing wrong with being one dimensional; if you want a mediocre career and to forever take orders from other people. You can earn a very honest, long living being mediocre. However, if you wish to reach the top, your proficiency in one area needs to be a platform to build your expertise in other areas.<\/em><\/p>\n The \u201ccult of personality\u201d popularity game ended in high school. Understand what dependability means in the organization you are a member of. It ranges from being easy to work with or being a peer counselor, to being willing to do the dirty work, to always delivering what you commit to.<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re not at the table, then you could be on the menu \u2013 Probably Education Activist Pat Rusk and not<\/strong> Elizabeth Warren as many people inadvertently attribute it to.<\/em><\/p>\n If you are not playing to the company culture, the style of the powers that be or have someone providing air cover for you from above bombardment, you won\u2019t go far or last long in that organization.<\/em><\/p>\n Success in the corporate world is like going to war. Prepare yourself accordingly.<\/em><\/p>\n Refer to pt. 36 under \u2018Bizlife\u2019. The serenity prayer is emblematic of this \u2013 be able to accept the things that you cannot change. Raising objections to fa\u00eetes accomplit, simply tags you as a resistor. Preserve your objections for when it really matters\u2026or let someone else raise the objection before you have to.<\/em><\/p>\n The corporate graveyard is full of brands that lost their way, companies that didn\u2019t evolve with the times, doomed captains of industry who refused to listen to alternate opinions, corporate culture that became so inbred it led to decline and executives who became dinosaurs.<\/em><\/p>\n Compelling public speaking enables you to move from capturing people\u2019s minds to capturing their hearts.<\/em><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t capture someone\u2019s attention in the first minute, their eyes begin to gloss over. Once you capture them they want to hear more, or at the very least they will be ready to hear your more elaborate explanations.<\/em><\/p>\n Most self-help advice and write-ups talk about discipline. But the reality of life is that not all of us are that diligent or disciplined. Trying to live up to something you can\u2019t achieve, sets you up for a letdown the minute you fail to meet expectations. Just like a top tier athlete who picks his\/her spots to catch their breath in a game only to score when it is most needed; if you lack the consistency of discipline, focus on the most important moments to apply yourself to the full.<\/em><\/p>\n The greatest lessons and skills are learned from others and particularly the more experienced. It is the most effective way to develop yourself. Even as a superior talent, you can only become the best by learning from others; and there is nothing more obnoxious and a waste of time than a no-talent, know-it-all who doesn\u2019t take instruction well.<\/em><\/p>\n A successful production is not made by everybody being on stage. Sometimes, the director or supporting specialist crew are the key to a masterpiece. The main actor would have been nothing without them.<\/em><\/p>\n Life<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n We are all in pursuit of happiness, yet most of us find it elusive. If it isn\u2019t our job, it\u2019s our pay; if it isn\u2019t our pay, it\u2019s too many commitments; if it\u2019s isn\u2019t commitments, it\u2019s our spouse; if it isn\u2019t our spouse, it\u2019s our family; if it isn\u2019t our family it\u2019s society. Once you find your spiritual (not necessarily religious) peace, the rest will all work itself out.<\/em><\/p>\n When we manipulate others\u2019 emotions for our own benefit, we may initially get the result we desire, but it gradually builds a wellspring of mistrust when things don\u2019t add up. A lack of emotional honesty may have the upside of getting you what you want, but it also has an even bigger downside of the fallout, bitterness and resentment when other people figure out your manipulations.<\/em><\/p>\n We often say things for our own satisfaction and then regret the way it comes out or rue how it has been received. When taken in concert with points nos. 7 and 32 this enables you to give advice in a way that minimizes your selfish interest and makes you a more trusted friend and advisor.<\/em><\/p>\n Like it or not, love is a two-way street. For it to thrive, you both have accountability and things you must focus on and dedicate yourself to, in order to sustain that love.<\/em><\/p>\n It is easy for people to desire privacy or to be alone in an environment that they have absolute control over. Human beings are however social beings and thus need family and community to thrive. Depriving oneself of these, even where one believes it\u2019s a desire for privacy, inclines one to gradually develop anti-social behaviours.<\/em><\/p>\n Trust is absolutely essential for every successful relationship. However, there is no excuse for superimposing trust on ignorance. Give everyone your respect from the outset, but only give them your trust once you have an objective basis for them to hold that trust.<\/em><\/p>\n You\u2019re never too young, there\u2019s never enough time to put things off, there are always other priorities, there\u2019s always something standing in the way; and on and on\u2026.<\/em><\/p>\n These are all excuses. Make time now<\/u><\/strong> for the things that matter to you, pursue the things that bring you joy and let go of the baggage that drags you down and holds you back. Positivity crowds out and leaves no room for negativity.<\/em><\/p>\n Excess and living on the edge are fun, but short-lived. Restraint and moderation are for longevity and the long-haul. Nobody ever thinks the same of you once they see you lose your faculties.<\/em><\/p>\n Secrets are soul destroying. They chase us through the shadows and keep us looking over our shoulder in fear. Just like when you were a kid, this fear makes us conjure up monsters in the dark that are not real. Rather than live with fear, confront and resolve your dark secrets.<\/em><\/p>\n Everyone battles with emotional issues to some degree. Many of us also battle with psychological challenges. Bottling these in is like a pressure cooker that can only be released by talking to a trusted person. There is no stigma in talking to somebody about the issues you are battling with. When somebody you care about, or you yourself, realise that you cannot find that in those around you, go for professional counseling.<\/em><\/p>\n Lying in bed once you are awake is a bad habit that only gets worse if not nipped in the bud. It encourages sloth. The only exception is to make love \u2013 which is the most universal playing field for that activity, and hopefully leads you both to better sleep.<\/em><\/p>\n Think of the greatest people in history. Few were conformists. Those we admire the most were not only unique beings, but people of good character. Guard your character jealously, but don\u2019t try and be what you are not, because it will eventually be a betrayal against your good character and diminish you in other people\u2019s eyes.<\/em><\/p>\n We often miss the best opportunity to say something or make a move by speaking or acting too soon \u2013 we haven\u2019t heard the full sentence; we jump to conclusions without all the right facts; we haven\u2019t properly assessed the situation, but we speak or act nonetheless.<\/em><\/p>\n Perfect timing is a strange thing. You feel it in your bones. As you engage in a conversation or engage in a certain enterprise, have the patience to hold back until you have the information you need in hand, then once all variables are just right, then speak or act.<\/em><\/p>\n Don\u2019t be fooled, people may initially be amused by one\u2019s loud antics, but you are quickly categorized as boorish, uncouth and simply irritating. The life of the party can only be tolerated in small doses.<\/em><\/p>\n Loudness suggests a lack of the qualities of restraint, discipline and self-control.<\/em><\/p>\n BizLife<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Be careful which clich\u00e9s and platitudes you listen to, which quotes you quote and never<\/u><\/strong> quote the Bible or Koran to justify anything. Ensure you understand them if you are going to use them to guide you. The fact that the word \u2018 sometimes<\/strong>\u2019 is usually omitted from adage \u201cIt is better to be kind, than to be right\u201d, completely changes it\u2019s meaning.<\/em><\/p>\n There is a time to be right and a time to be kind \u2013 know the difference so that you treat those around you with respect, while still guarding your integrity.<\/em><\/p>\n Saying, \u201cit\u2019s sour grapes\u201d, \u201cthey are haters\u201d and all is easy when people who have malice for you attack you. However, you need to do some self-analysis on your character and behavior to make sure that nobody ever has a basis on which they can build a malicious attack against you. Be above reproach!<\/em><\/p>\n When it does happen, immediately address your character flaw that enabled that attack to prevent it from snowballing or other \u201chaters\u201d piling in like accelerants.<\/em><\/p>\n The whole purpose of wise counsel is to enable you to see both sides of the big picture. If you continually make unilateral decisions or ignore dissenting opinions, you have only yourself to blame.<\/em><\/p>\n A man\/woman without dissenting opinions around him\/her is surrounded by sycophants who will follow you to your doom, only to watch you leap off the cliff\u2019s edge on your own.<\/em><\/p>\n Revisiting things with a fresh mind and fresh viewpoint always presents a different and clearer perspective. It also prevents you from making rash decisions \u201cin the moment\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n You\u2019ll be surprised how often you\u2019ll re-read something the next day and think, \u2018did I really write that?!\u2019. Or, how often on the next day you think, \u2018Was I really about to do that?\u2019 or find that circumstances have changed thus negating the decision you would have made.<\/em><\/p>\n It prevents words coming out of your mouth and also clears up your ear canals, calms you and allows you to listen<\/u><\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n Those who give maximum effort, no matter the adversity or less than ideal circumstances are always valued. Commitment is palpable to others. You may feel that you are justified for a lack of commitment due to factors outside of yourself, however, that justification never holds water to others.<\/em><\/p>\n Even if your rationale for the lack of commitment makes sense, it will always be used against you to weaken your position.<\/em><\/p>\n Putting on a brave face simply masks your feelings. The feelings that you mask on the outside, will eat you up inside.<\/em><\/p>\n You are better off facing up to the reality before you do harm to your psyche or become a dark cloud over those around you.<\/em><\/p>\n
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Only plan on early retirement if you are comfortable with the probability a decline in standard of living and increased chances of addiction and\/or an early death.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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You need to perfect your career calling (not passion) before you turn 25. From there immediately dedicate yourself to becoming an expert and the leader in your field.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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If you become boxed-in as one dimensional, become the best at that skill but only preserve it as a back-up. Immediately work to build other skills and reinvent yourself; because one-dimensionalism is a horse you can\u2019t ride very far.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Make sure that you are loved in the workplace, not because you are popular, but because your colleagues know that they can always depend on you.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Avoid the mindset of \u201cI don\u2019t play company politics\u201d. You have to\u2026just play it with integrity.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Never rise up alone within an organization. Be loyal and deliver for those above you, support those below you and build allies amongst those on your level \u2013 at all times.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Always hold back any indication of your opposition\/ resistance to a proposal or idea unless and until it is absolutely necessary.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Always be flexible and open to changing your viewpoint, strategy or plans if a better idea comes along.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Work at being a good public speaker. It will make you a star.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Perfect brevity; but be engaging when loquacious.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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If you don\u2019t have discipline, then cover it up by excelling at every instance when it is important\/ imperative to do so.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Always be coachable and willing to learn. In this way many less talented have excelled and highly talented have become great.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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If you\u2019re not a doer, be an advisor; if you\u2019re not an advisor, be an administrator.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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You can only thrive in life once you find happiness and peace within yourself \u2013 don\u2019t try using one facet of life to compensate for another.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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If you want to be eternally happy, always<\/u> be emotionally honest, dedicate yourself to those you love and commit to them completely, no matter what!<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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When you give personal advice or comment, ask yourself, \u201cAm I saying this for my selfish benefit, or for the benefit of the person I\u2019m saying it to?\u201d \u2013 This will build your relationships and make you a valued friend\/ partner.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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There is no such thing as unconditional love.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Living alone leads to insanity.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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The oft-used \u2018trust but verify\u2019 is always essential.<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Take the clich\u00e9 \u201clife\u2019s too short\u201d seriously.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Never be intoxicated in public; even at a party or any celebration.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Your worst fears rarely come to pass; and if they do, be pragmatic in addressing their real root cause. It is usually driven by your dark secrets.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Go for counselling the first<\/u> time somebody or you yourself think you need it.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Your bed is only<\/u> for sleeping in and\/ or making love; never lie-in once you are awake.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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So long as you are of good character, always<\/u> be yourself, no matter what anyone thinks of you.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Timing IS everything.<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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People dislike, or eventually tire of, excessively loud people.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Know when to be Kind and when to be Right \u2013 Learn to wield emotional intelligence and prudence.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Listen to what your enemies say about you \u2013 it is usually based on the achilles heel of your flaw(s) in character.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Never make a key decision without getting a trusted dissenting opinion. If you then go against that opinion, be clear that you will be able to accept the consequences if that dissenting opinion turns out to be true.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Always sleep on important documents and decisions for at least one night before finalizing them.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Nobody ever suffocated from taking a deep breath.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Never half-ass anything, no matter how good you believe the reason to be; it will come back to bite you.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Never put on a brave face for something you neither have a passion for, nor will ever be good at; It will drive you to depression, desperation or death.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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