32 lessons in 32 years
© Pete Longworth
In celebration of turning 32 this week, I’m sharing 32 things I’ve learned in 32 years—it’s my birthday tradition!
Here we go!
You can be generous without compromising your worth.
Address the elephant in the room, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
The narratives we tell ourselves shape how we behave. If you want different results, change your narrative.
People will tell you what they want and need if you just listen.
The only way to get through hard things is to actually go through them, so dive right into the muck.
Mentors dole out words of wisdom. Coaches get in the arena with you and hold up a mirror to your blind spots. (I wrote a post about this here!)
Wear what gives you wings, be yourself, and rock it.
When you feel overwhelmed, ask yourself if the feeling is self-induced. It usually is.
What you measure, you accomplish.
Give yourself more time than you think you need for every project.
Read a chapter of something every day.
Apologize first.
Love is an inside job. For your relationships with others to be fulfilling, your relationship with yourself has to be fulfilling.
It’s easy to get caught up in what’s not working. Remember to celebrate what is.
If a habit isn’t serving you, it’s impacting your ability to serve others.
Schedule time to think and hold yourself to it.
Before starting your day, identify the top three tasks you need to accomplish in order to have an impactful day.
Business is simpler than we make it out to be.
Everyone—even the most successful people—asks themselves the big questions: “Who am I?” “Where am I going?” “What’s the impact I will make on this world?” You aren’t alone.
If you’re going to be there, be there. (Remember this post?)
Make a list of questions you have for your parents and ask them while you still can.
Before you send an email, read it and ask yourself how you would feel if you were the recipient.
Remember that you’re exactly where you need to be.
FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real.
If someone’s upset, it’s probably not about you. It’s about something that’s been triggered in them.
Exclude yourself from the meeting and give your team the chance to step up.
When two people are upset with each other, create the space for them to talk it out together instead of inserting yourself in the drama triangle.
Laugh often.
If “it” isn’t coming to you—words, ideas, etc.—walk away and come back to it when you’re fresh.
Consider others’ advice, but if your gut is telling you something different, trust yourself.
The best thing you can do as a leader is to help people feel seen and like they belong.
Assume that every person you interact with has positive intentions. Everyone is doing the best they can with what they’ve got.
Here’s to another year of learning and growing. Can’t wait to see what year 32 has in store!
Big hugs,
