30 Lessons From a 30-Year-Old

I recently came across a list of 30 Lessons I’ve Learned – In Honor of My 30th Birthday, written by Robert Cocuzzo. I think it’s terrific, so I retyped it and made minor edits -- plus I’ve added a few personal comments.

1. Being true to your word says more about you than anything you could possibly say
2. Always tip 20% because dreams are built on the service industry, so make a contribution
3. Travel alone at least once a year
4. Journaling is an effective form of therapy. I totally agree.
5. Always write thank-you notes by hand. Agree 100%.
6. A successful day starts with making your bed. If all else fails, at least you nailed that. Hilarious, but I love it.
7. Smile often and when you laugh – milk it for all its worth
8. Make photocopies of your passport and credit cards. Will do shortly.
9. Always know where the U.S. embassy is located in a foreign country
10. Do not experiment with psychedelics while doing #3. Otherwise see    #8 and #9
11. Listening is way more important than talking
12. Cheap suits look pretty good when tailored
13. Last call is rarely worth making
14. People love hearing their names said out loud, so do everything you can to remember them. Excellent advice.
15. Always be on time, if not early. This is #1 with me.
16. Keep an overnight bag packed in the trunk of your car, This makes that dream of spontaneously jumping onto a flight even more possible
17. Meditation is probably a really good practice. But it’s so hard
18. Relish failure. The more comfortable you get being bucked to the ground, the more likely you are to break bigger horses. Love it!
19. Hotels have the best public restrooms
20. Do something for someone else. Volunteer often. Excellent idea.
21. Say “yes” to every opportunity. You already know where “no” will land you. “Yes” is limitless. Totally agree.
22. Eliminate “busy” from your lexicon. You can make time for anything
23. Identify the people who make you happy and make a point of speaking with them once a week, even if you have nothing to talk about
24. Engage others – they’re just as shy and self-conscious as you are
25. Become allergic to lying
26. Work problems aren’t really problems. They’re all solvable.
27. Never hesitate to compliment somebody. Marvelous idea.
28. Exercise is key for mental strength
29. Experiences are more valuable than material things. Totally true.
30. Family and friends are the ultimate currency of a life well lived.

Cocuzzo, author of Tracking the Wild Coomba: The Life of Legendary Skier Doug Coombs, states that “when you turn 30-years-old, people love to rub it in. Life is dragging you by the ear into adulthood and all your friends can do is laugh and point. Whoever invented the term “Dirty Thirty” should be ashamed of themselves.”

He goes on to say that, “birthdays with big round zeros at the end are made for taking stock.”

This is why he created his list. You did a good job, Bob!

MAY WE SUGGEST…

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Shaun Nelson-Henrick

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