43 Lessons at 43
An easy to read, easy to digest article.
Today I turn 43 years of age - only in the last 13 years have I become conscious of what impact I can have on the world and what affect I can influence with my words, content and actions.
1. Supporting a team like Blackburn Rovers who, when you were growing up were brilliant (think Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton), will cause you more misery than you know – but you will still love them anyway.
2. LOST is the best TV Series ever.
3. There are two types of people, those that want to know the benefit before doing it and others that do it to see the benefit. Some of the best things in life, need you to take the leap and then check you’re doing ok afterwards.
4. I buy a lot of books but read very few – when I feel like I’m not succeeding in life, I notice that I haven’t read for a while.
5. I have eaten the same meal every Friday for almost 8 years – it never gets old and every week, I tell my wife that it’s the best Chorizo Pasta she’s ever made. Do you want to try it? You can cook it here.
6. No-one is going to give you a break – for ANY opportunity, you need to go for it. Be ruthlessly and obviously selfish in your pursuit of goals.
7. Everyone is scared of the camera but the more you stand in front of it, the less scary it becomes. You can do it.
8. Happiness in life takes effort. Which means that some people give up on it far too easily.
9. I will never ride a motorbike in my life as I am too reckless and at a moments notice, I would likely kill myself.
10. Your children will be the greatest source of happiness and also the greatest source of frustration – but that’s the challenge of parenting.
11. No job is worth sacrificing your home life for.
12. Once you’ve spent 36 hours under a land rover in Kuwait, wearing a gas mask and surviving on very little sleep during a conflict, a letter from the gas company telling you that you owe them money doesn’t really have the same stressful impact as it does in others and you have to adjust to see that sometimes.
13. All politicians want to make sure they are re-elected so they will do/say what they need to - don’t believe their are working for you.
14. New York is the greatest city in the world.
15. Being creative reduces stress and anxiety because I think you’re living life as if you were a child again and seeing the wonder that can be created. This is why I love creating so much.
16. When I was 12 years old, I ‘designed’ a skateboard which worked the same as a hovercraft – there were fans underneath the board and the skirt and I wanted to make it. 31 years later, I am a brand ambassador for an electric skateboard company – destiny is real.
17. It’s hard to see the label when you’re stuck inside the jar. Ask for advice from people who can see the label.
18. Sunrises in the sea are hard to beat for spiritual bliss. I love them.
19. Alcohol is temporary happiness which I want to avoid.
20. There is no greater feeling in sport than scoring a goal. It doesn’t matter if it’s a tap in or a thunderbolt – they all feel the same way and it’s wonderous.
21. I wish I could sleep more.
22. Telling every cashier/waiter to have a nice day is underrated – you need to do it more and make sure they feel seen.
23. Your time is a precious resource, and if you want to have more of it for things that you genuinely enjoy, you need to stop being so accessible and stick to things you want to do.
24. Being around people will both energize me and drain me in equal measure.
25. The magic that you’re looking for is in the work that you’re avoiding.
26. I have less than 5 real friends – most people are acquaintances.
27. I am not grateful enough. I should practice gratitude more.
28. My mobile phone is my biggest drain of my free time.
29. The people you think won’t help you, normally will and the people you want to help you, probably won’t.
30. Delivering bad news is as important as delivering good news and you should use empathy doing both. I have had to fire people but remained good friends and I’ve delivered good news to people I don’t like – both with absolute empathy.
31. Being overweight hurts. I don’t like it.
32. Writing is a skill – it doesn’t feel like it and it’s hard to comprehend but to get better at it, you need to practice often. And you will get clearer.
33. I have so many cameras – but my favourite one is my polaroid because of the imperfections and the unexpected results. Striving for imperfection is where the beauty is.
34. The Grand Canyon will make you speechless. Unless you see it, you cannot fathom it’s size.
35. Cold wintery days over hot summer days.
36. As you get older, you wish time would slow down. I do.
37. Optimism is a default mode that you need to reset to. If you’re pessimistic then you will always be unhappy.
38. A home is more than bricks and mortar – the more memories you make, the more you want to stay where you are.
39. When you’re at your lowest point in life – there is always a way out. Sounds cliché but I’ve been at my lowest and there is always a way to move up.
40. My wife asked me once why I only drink Yorkshire Tea – no PG Tips, no Tetley. She now only drinks Yorkshire Tea. Experience is everything.
41. The only thing I learned from the film Titanic was that in a posh restaurant, you use the outside knives and forks first – then move inwards with each course.
42. I hate running when I’m running and I love running when I’m not.
43. Change is for the good – no one ever grew from staying in the same place, doing the same things and being the same person. You have to evolve or you will become extinct.