15 Solid Lessons I’ve Learned in Life

This is a guest post by Glen Allsopp from PluginID.

Even at 19, I like to think I have some valuable lessons and knowledge that I can pass on to others around me. Whether it’s my family, my friends or the audience of the blogs I write for, I’m passionate about sharing honest truths I’ve come to learn on my journey.

I haven’t found the purpose of life, but I have found my purpose in life, it is of course possible that they are the same thing. While I’m on this planet I’m going to attempt to inspire, awaken and motivate as many people as possible, but only those who are ready to listen.

Thanks to Alex, today I want to share fifteen lessons I’ve learned on my short but grateful path and hopefully the things I’m attempting to do will happen in the case of you, the reader.

15 Lessons I’ve Learned

1) What people say about you is none of your business. People will talk about you unfavorably whether you are there to witness it or not.

2) If you give someone long enough, they will show you their kind, positive side. This applies to 99% of all people.

3) Sometimes, no matter how positive or encouraging your advice is, people aren’t ready to hear it. Accept this and don’t see someone’s resistance to change as a reflection on you.

4) You have a choice whether you want to focus on the positive or the negative in any situation. Exercise that right and live a happier life for doing so.

5) There are always going to be people that want to hold you back. This is often due to their own insecurities rather than a slur on you. They don’t want to see you succeed while their own lives remain stagnant.

6) Right now, this is life, make the most of it. What you do today could affect millions of people in a positive light, or you could bring down the mood of those around you. Which would you like to achieve?

7) See all obstacles in your path from a new perspective, a new mindset. Instead of seeing them as a stop sign, see them as an opportunity to show how badly you want something.

8) Keep doing what you’ve always done and you’ll keep getting the same results. This is common sense, but many people follow the same path and hope for a different outcome. To a famous few, that is the definition of insanity.

9) Holding a grudge against someone harms you far more than it will ever harm someone else. Find a better use for your time and energy.

10) If you aren’t enjoying the process, the journey, it’s very likely that you are in the wrong lane. Don’t be afraid to go back to square one and refocus your efforts. It’s much better to do it now than further down the road.

11) Never let your ego get in the way. Whether it is going for the things you want in life or simply telling people how much they mean to you. Life is too short to miss the opportunity, if people judge you for it, once again, that is their problem, not yours.

12) The old saying, “What you resist, persists”, is a wise one. Work on the art of letting go, rather than needing all the answers. You’ll never have all the answers.

13) Focus on being consciously aware of all things in your life, from your emotions to your reactions. Only the light of your awareness can make it possible for things to change.

14) Whatever ‘problems’ you have, it’s likely that someone else has had the same issue and already provided a solution. Find comfort in knowing you aren’t alone, not in the results.

15) Question everything you read or hear, even the 15 points I’ve shared with you today. Often it is our ‘failures’ that allow us to see the real truth in sayings.

If you have any of your own lessons that you’ve learned on the journey, I would love to hear them in the comments below. I know that you all have some to share…

Glen Allsopp blogs for PluginID, a site that aims to help you ‘Plug into your Identity’ and life the life you want to live.

If you enjoy this article, please give it a vote on StumbleUpon and Reddit. I’d appreciate it

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Glen Allsopp

Glen Allsopp said on February 12th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

Thanks a lot for the opportunity Alex, I’m quite proud of the result (that isn’t letting my ego get in the way ).

Cheers,
Glen
Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman said on February 12th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

@Glen – 3 cheers for Glen’s ego =)
Amy

Amy said on February 12th, 2009 at 11:27 pm

Thank you for this! I especially needed to learn number three.
Anirudh

Anirudh said on February 13th, 2009 at 12:07 am

So very true ! I will have to put these 15 reminders somewhere for sure !
Glen Allsopp

Glen Allsopp said on February 13th, 2009 at 5:13 am

Hey Amy,

You’re welcome, number 3 is one of the most crucial ones I had to learn as well!
Glen Allsopp

Glen Allsopp said on February 13th, 2009 at 5:15 am

Hi Anirudh

Thanks for taking the time to comment (Note to Alex: he thanked me on Twitter).

Cheers,
Glen
Candice

Candice said on February 13th, 2009 at 5:56 am

“What people say about you is none of your business” – this is something I learned a while ago and have to remind myself about it constantly!! Number 3 is also a biggie, I get very frustrated when people just don’t seem to see the light (then again perhaps this is my issue
Well done Glen
Richard Dewick - makakman

Richard Dewick - makakman said on February 13th, 2009 at 6:01 am

Great post Glen, like you say #3 is a common one whether in your personal or professional life. Even though some people want to hear what you have to say they might have already made up their mind on a course of action.

“Accept this and don’t see someone’s resistance to change as a reflection on you.”
Glen Allsopp

Glen Allsopp said on February 13th, 2009 at 8:00 am

@Candice – Thanks for stopping by. It seems like a lot of people are relating to number 3 so it definitely isn’t just you

@Richard – Very true, thanks for commenting
Nicholas Powiull

Nicholas Powiull said on February 13th, 2009 at 8:15 am

Here is what I learned the most: Honor your feelings as number one. When you make it your number one priority to feel good, then you allow yourself to ‘create from a place of positive energy’.

Along with this, is realizing that nothing around you in your environment especial people need to change in order for you feel good. Feeling good comes from within and when you’re not feeling good it’s because your perspective is different then that of your ‘Source’. Feelings are the language of ‘the soul’ and you can be aligned with who you really are by paying close attention to how you feel.
Lisis - My Quest for Balance

Lisis - My Quest for Balance said on February 13th, 2009 at 9:31 am

Hey, Glen! I like how you started your post with “Even at 19…” =-) I was thinking that maybe it’s BECAUSE you are 19 that you still understand what really matters in life.

Ever since I started homeschooling my son, I have noticed that he (like most young people) naturally know to live fully in the present moment. I guess they haven’t learned otherwise. They still haven’t developed the fears, guilt, and worries that lead to our habit of always focusing on the past and the future.

Maybe those of us who are a little older should be learning from the youth; your life lessons above are fantastic!

Thanks,
Lisis
Vincent

Vincent said on February 14th, 2009 at 1:09 am

Hi Glen,

“Sometimes, no matter how positive or encouraging your advice is, people aren’t ready to hear it. Accept this and don’t see someone’s resistance to change as a reflection on you.”

It is hard to see people around you crumble and we would stretch out our hands to help them but people don’t want to be taught unless they are ready to learn. As the saying goes, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
Michelle

Michelle said on February 15th, 2009 at 8:51 am

Hi Alex, I discovered your blog on blogcatalog.

I love number 4. I use to only focus on the negative side of a situation and it had an affect on me emotionally, physically and mentally.

Sometimes you can encourage and advice people with the best of intentions but sometimes people are not ready to change their ways or thinking because they are set in a pattern or routine.

This is very practical personal development indeed.
Rudolf

Rudolf said on February 17th, 2009 at 4:26 am

All of these are truthful but I really resonate with number 14. We really need to remind ourselves sometimes…

One that has been life-changing for me and really sets me free: Face your fears so you can follow your passion.
Dan Massicotte

Dan Massicotte said on February 17th, 2009 at 9:35 pm

I love hearing from young audiences. Reminds me all the time to push this kind of thinking on my 15 y.o. brother.

Your list rocks!
David Atkinson

David Atkinson said on February 18th, 2009 at 7:37 pm

Hi Alex,

I will most certainly be putting these 15 lessons up on my wall were I can see them daily.

Regards

David.
Lance

Lance said on February 19th, 2009 at 11:07 am

Be a leader, not a follower, and don’t be afraid to ruffle feathers or shake people up.

We make our own luck. The harder you work at something and put in the passion, the more opportunities open.

Everyone is selfish. Accept this, and look for win-win situations.
rahul jain

rahul jain said on February 22nd, 2009 at 12:08 pm

its nice to listen all from you.
think before you do, not after. if done then think how better the life can be now. do it for the best life for now without thinking the past. past is past, it has gone.
Jay

Jay said on April 9th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

I have learned that religions do more to undermine ones real faith and instincts in life than they do to help people walk by faith. They would rather have people walk by their particular religious agenda instead of by faith in that persons own instincts or higher power/higher calling.