Half a Century of Learning

In the next handful of days I will turn the corner on a half a century … my 50th birthday. I’ve learned a few things along the way, and I am still learning! That’s because I am one who consistently reflects. On this, the SocialSteve Blog I’ve shared with you much that I have learned with regards to marketing and social media. But this time around, I think it is fitting to share with you just a few of the important life lessons I have taken to mark the half centurion mark.

*** “It takes more failures to succeed than it does to fail.” – I worked for a big corporation fresh out of college and they provided “development” seminars. I heard this at the first presentation and it has stuck with me forever. Bottom line – do not give up! Drive to accomplish you own success and don’t let failure knock you down.

*** “You don’t need to tell an @$$hole they are an @$$hole.” – Long story short here … early in my career there was this guy I worked with named Carl. Carl was a miserable human being. He did something uncalled for and I went into his office and said, “Carl, that was really f-ed up,” and walked out. He comes to my office wincing and clinching his fists and said, “You wanna take this out to the parking lot.” I did nothing but fuel a crazy situation to further stupidity. We think getting things off our chest makes us feel better by dumping and venting on the perpetrator, but it really does not yield content. Releasing your negativity is what is required. That is far more effective than telling someone off.

*** “You have two ears and one mouth – do twice as much listening as talking.” –Maybe the most important aspect of building strong relationships with people is listening to them and understanding them. Strong relationships spawn support and greater meaning in your life.

*** “There is a difference between pleasure and happiness.” – Too many people confuse the two. In most cases, excessive pleasure yields unhappiness. Pleasure appeals to our senses. Happiness comes from our brain and heart.

*** “No one ever says, ‘Damn – I wish I worked another day,’ on their death bed.” – We all know people whose lives were cut tragically short. Make sure you take in the important things on your limited time here on earth. It is easy to get consumed by work and aspirations of key professional positions. Remember the most important things and people in your life and make time to enjoy connecting and spending time together.

Yeah, I have learned a number of things, but those are the highlights. In the next 50 years I hope to learn much more … I’d like to think of myself as a perpetual student of life.

Now if I can ask you for one birthday gift … I have been sharing blog posts to you for the past four years. I’d like to turn the tables on you and ask for you to share with me (and my readers) something you have learned that is an important life lesson. That would be a great birthday present for me.

Make It Happen!
Social Steve (1/2 way there and still learning)