David J Freund: Entrepreneur | Partner @ Junto

30 Life Lessons [in no particular order]

In no particular order:

  • If it’s perfect, you’ve spent too long on it — Whether it’s a new business, a relationship or hobby. Everything is a work in progress.
  • Don’t take things personally — People have their own versions of reality, assumptions, and emotions. Let it pass and move on.
  • Food is your medicine — It’s different for everyone, but your diet is the single largest factor for your health…or lack thereof.
  • Show love & appreciation more —The world could never use enough of it.
  • This too shall pass — Whether you’ve had your bike stolen or a friend seriously injured. This moment will pass and life will go on.
  • There is an opportunity in every obstacle — Sometimes it’s damn near impossible to see, but it’s there.
  • Embrace the unknown: You will never know it all, but the more you can appreciate this fact, the more respect you’ll have for the art of learning.
  • Move fast, but never hurry — Life almost always forces you to think & act in a hurry, but that’s where mistakes happen. Move fast but never hurry.
  • Use social media less — Constantly seeing the best versions of everyone else isn’t good for you.
  • Take time to understand the basic principles — Whether it’s a new hobby or a career, understanding the principles will help you connect the dots forward instead of backward.
  • Love the present — The present is the only time we have. Observe it, be aware of it, and love it for what it is…whether sitting in traffic or at a beach in the Philippines.
  • Challenge yourself every day — Complacency is boring and we’re all going to die. Inch to push yourself out of your comfort zone every day.
  • Egos are often to blame — Whether it’s bogarting a conversation or getting pissed at someone in traffic — keep your ego in the closet and try not to wear it in public.
  • Genuinely connect with people— We’re constantly bombarded with noise and distraction from screens. When someone is talking to you, genuinely listen and connect with them. Don’t be passive with your communication.
  • Don’t make assumptions — This one is very challenging for most. Don’t assume the meaning of a text, comment, etc because chances are you’re wrong.
  • Travel more — It will remind you of how insignificant you are and how beautiful the complexity of the world is.
  • Respect all life — The spider on the wall has a family too. Just because you’re bigger doesn’t mean you’re more significant.
  • Nobody has time, they make it — If you haven’t had the time to do “x” it’s simply because it’s not important enough for you to make it. Take accountability for your schedule.
  • There is always room for less sugar in your diet — Nearly 10% of the U.S. population has diabetes. Not much more to say here.
  • Inspiring people is easier than managing — Share your “why” and let your vision of what’s “right” guide others instead of micromanaging.
  • There is no right or wrong. Only beliefs and opinion — Whether it’s a god you believe in or a president you voted for, it’s all an opinion.
  • Cook at home more —Food is essential to life. Learn what goes into a healthy meal, understand the lineage of your food, and master the art of cooking.
  • Be grateful for every day — The worst days are what help us to define the best ones. Every day above ground is a blessing.
  • Batch daily tasks — You’re more efficient when doing things in repetition.
  • Everyone has a creative side — You just have to teach the other part of your brain to shut up long enough to let it shine.
  • An overwhelming amount of media is just noise — Very rarely will the latest news or media directly affect you. If it’s important enough, you’ll hear about it from others.
  • Invest in quality — Buying something that’s 20% cheaper will often be replaced within 50% of the time.
  • Be unapologetically, you — The more you shake up the world, the more you have to deal with criticisms/feedback. Master the art of not giving a f*ck and be yourself.
  • Objective observation over criticism — I struggle with this one every day. Learn to observe both the pros and cons for what they are.
  • Diversify your income streams — Have a side hustle or a passive investment stream. Relying on only one source of income can be dangerous.