Personal Advice for Growth⚓︎

Summary⚓︎

In life, we often stumble upon wisdom when it's too late. We often learn things we wish we had known earlier in our lives. Unfortunately, life doesn't offer a rewind button.This compilaton is not the typical feel-good advice; it's raw, cynical, and brutally honest.

Some of this will very likely overlap with the life lessons article, but that's fine. These points can't be stated enough.

This will be an exhaustive repository of everything I wish I knew sooner.

Insights into Reality⚓︎

• "Don't discover a career before you've discovered yourself." - Moxie Marlinspike
  • Discovering yourself before choosing a career is crucial for long-term fulfillment and success.
• "There's no rush to get started on a never-ending task." - Moxie Marlinspike
  • Take your time and reflect before committing to tasks that may consume a significant part of your life.
• "Observe the people around you - where you live, your job, your friends, your family. They are the future you. Don't think your life will be substantially different. The future is looking back at you." - Moxie Marlinspike
  • Your surroundings reflect aspects of yourself and can provide insights into your own future.

Practical Wisdom⚓︎

• "Righty tighty, lefty loosey"
  • Seemingly mundane, but this is a life skill that will save you a lot of time and frustration.
  • Remember this simple rule for tightening and loosening screws efficiently.
• "If you're the smartest guy in the room, you're in the wrong room." - Michael Dell
  • Surround yourself with intellectual diversity to foster growth and learning.
• "Nobody watches the store better than you." - Harold Levine
  • Your grandpa's reminder that no one will take care of your things better than you.
  • Take ownership of your responsibilities and possessions.
• "If your job is your hobby and your hobby is your job, you'll eventually hate both." - Bob Valentine
  • Maintain a healthy balance between work and personal interests to avoid burnout.

Philosophical Reflections⚓︎

• "If you only like democracy when it goes your way, you don't actually like democracy."
  • Emphasizing the importance of accepting democracy even when outcomes are not in your favor.
• "When people say they like freedom, what they really mean is they like power. Freedom comes with responsibility and consequences. Power is doing what you please regardless of how it impacts others. When someone wants to do something without facing negative repercussions, they want power, not freedom."
  • Highlighting the distinction between true freedom and the desire for unchecked power.
  • Stressing the need to understand the responsibilities that come with freedom.
• "It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward." - Rocky Balboa
  • Encouraging resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges.
• "When stupidity is considered patriotism, it is unsafe to be intelligent. The easiest way to solve a problem is to deny it exists. Man's greatest asset is the unsettled mind." - Isaac Asimov
  • Provoking critical thinking about the societal norms and the value of intellectual curiosity.
• "Make the best use of what is in your power and take the rest as it happens." — Epictetus
  • Advocating for focusing on what you can control and accepting what is beyond your control.

Hard Truths⚓︎

• "Life doesn't owe you a thing."
  • A reminder to abandon entitlement and embrace personal responsibility.
• "The grass isn't always greener."
  • Be cautious of thinking that other situations are always better.
• "Work to live; don't live to work."
  • Prioritize a balanced life where work serves your life, not the other way around.
• "Always be on the lookout for the next opportunity."
  • Stay open to new possibilities and growth opportunities.
• "You're not responsible for anyone else's happiness."
  • Each person is responsible for their own well-being and joy.
• "Don't be lazy."
  • Avoid complacency and strive for continuous improvement.
• "Do what makes you happy."
  • Prioritize activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
• "Learn to love yourself."
  • Cultivate self-compassion and acceptance.
• "People don't respect things that are free."
  • Value and effort are often associated with respect.
• "All things worth doing are worth doing well."
  • Commit fully to tasks that hold significance to you.
• "Start something the way you intend to finish it."
  • Begin projects with the end goal in mind to ensure completion.
• "Perception is reality."
  • How others perceive you can shape their reality.
• "Don't borrow or lend people money. It's the fastest way to make enemies. If by chance you do lend someone money, consider that you just paid that much to never see them again."
  • Money matters can strain relationships, so approach lending and borrowing cautiously.
• "Friends are hard to come by, and you'll only ever have one or two good ones throughout your life."
  • True friendships are rare, so cherish and nurture them.
• "Don't try to impress people. You'll always end up disappointed. Just be yourself."
  • Authenticity is more fulfilling than seeking validation through impressing others.
• "It's okay to want more, as long as you appreciate what you already have."
  • Strive for growth while maintaining gratitude for your current blessings.

My Advice⚓︎

• "Don't make snap decisions. You'll most certainly end up regretting them."
  • Taking time to evaluate before deciding can prevent future regrets.
• "Don't take shit from anyone, especially at work. If they don't value what you have to offer, you're better off without them."
  • Setting boundaries and respecting yourself is crucial in any environment.
• "Everyone should work at least a year of retail. Working retail builds character, makes you humble and gives you the skills to deal with anyone."
  • Customer-facing roles teach valuable communication and empathy skills.
• "All roles contribute to society; no job should be undervalued."
  • Every job is essential and contributes to society in some way.
• "Taking time for yourself is healthy. Anyone who says otherwise isn't worth your time."
  • Self-care is essential for mental and emotional well-being.
• "Give yourself 5-10 minutes each day to relax. Everyone has that ability, even if they say they don't. It will make a huge difference."
  • Prioritizing short breaks can improve productivity and reduce stress.
• "Don't let anyone tell you what kind of person you should be."
  • Stay true to yourself and your values, regardless of external opinions.
• "Save your money."
  • Financial security provides freedom and peace of mind.
• "Being independent means two things - you can do whatever you want, and you're on the hook for whatever happens to you while doing whatever you want."
  • Independence comes with both freedom and responsibility.
• "Learning to be organized is one of the most powerful things you can accomplish."
  • Organization enhances efficiency and reduces stress.
• "Try to appreciate what you have. Don't compare yourself or your life to anyone else's. They're them and you're you. Believe me, you'd much rather be you."
  • Gratitude fosters contentment and self-acceptance.
• "Be decent to people. You don't often realize how much it's appreciated. You also don't know what other people are going through."
  • Kindness can have a profound impact on others, even in small gestures.
• "Take pride in your work. You likely won't love what you do, but take pride in doing whatever it is well."
  • Excellence in your work reflects your values and dedication.
• "Life will almost never turn out the way you think it will. This is okay; you'll be fine."
  • Embrace uncertainty and adaptability in life's journey.
• "Good friends are hard to come by."
  • Quality friendships are rare and valuable; nurture them.
• "Don't try to impress people. You'll end up disappointed. Just be yourself."
  • Authenticity is more fulfilling than seeking external validation.
• "It's okay to want more, as long as you appreciate what you already have."
  • Balance ambition with gratitude for current blessings.
• "No one can promise you a better life."
  • Personal growth and fulfillment are individual journeys.
• "Be grateful for what you have. Whatever it is or however little it may seem, always remember someone out there has less."
  • Gratitude cultivates a positive mindset and empathy for others.
• "If it's important, write it down and back it up."
  • Documentation ensures important information is preserved and accessible.
• "Have backup copies of your backup copies."
  • Redundancy is key to safeguarding critical data and information.
• "What you do does not define who you are."
  • Your worth is not solely determined by your actions or achievements.
• "Never skimp out on what you put between yourself and the ground."
  • Invest in quality