During Mark Chernoff's teenage years in high school, he was given an assignment by his teacher. The task was to interview a man over the age of 25 and gather enough information about his life to write a brief biography. The purpose was also to discover the man's essential advice for the younger generation. Mark chose to interview his father, who at that time was 53 years old.
However, Mark completely forgot about this assignment until he stumbled upon an old notebook many years later. Inside the notebook were his father's answers, containing advice that amazed him. At the time of the interview, Mark didn't give much importance to these tips from his father. But now, with hindsight and experience on his side, he realized how accurate and meaningful they were.
Today, as someone who runs a blog on personal empowerment, Mark decided it would be valuable to share these timeless tips with his readership - advice that originated from conversations with his own father decades ago.
Here are some key insights gleaned from those conversations:
1. Your experience of your 30s, 40s and 50s won't feel like you think they will
Adults are basically just bigger versions of children. Despite the passing years and the aging process, we don't feel as old as we may have anticipated. The feeling remains relatively consistent regardless of age, with the only notable difference being that we become wiser and more self-assured if we have made our way successfully, and more bitter and afraid if we have not. The lessons of these ages, if learned, make sure we have already established ourselves in the world and discovered what truly matters to us. Therefore, there is no need to fear growing older; instead, it should be embraced - it can be a wonderful thing!
2. Anyone can make a change in the world
Even if you only manage to bring a smile to one person's face, you have succeeded in changing their world for the better. It may not be on a global scale, but it still holds significant value within their personal sphere. By engaging in small acts of kindness and empowerment - such as being fully present in each moment or offering genuine compliments - you can initiate meaningful change both in others' lives and your own. Ultimately, all your good deeds will come back around to benefit you greatly.
3. achieving great results requires focused effort
Focus your efforts on smaller tasks rather than trying to tackle numerous areas or pursue grand endeavors. Specialize in a specific area instead. If you spread yourself too thin across a wide range of pursuits, your impact will be minimal. By concentrating on a narrow field, your efforts will have a much greater effect. It may take time for this effect to become apparent, but by consistently directing your energy towards the right place, you will eventually see results.
4. You cannot become the ultimate you without loving yourself
We all want to become a better "me". To reach the best version of yourself, prioritize self-love and personal growth. This is something often put aside in earlier ages in favor of having external fun. While that's great, strive to become who you aspire to be by nurturing both your body and your mind. Never stop seeking knowledge and remain open to different perspectives, even from those who hold contrasting views. Embrace curiosity by asking questions and actively listening to others' ideas. Continually develop yourself and be willing to give back to others as well.
5. Be prepared to try and try again
Let's put aside any doubts you may have and ask ourselves this: "If I attempt something and don't succeed, what will I lose and what will I gain?" The response is as follows: "I'll lose the time that was invested, but in return, I'll gain valuable lessons that will aid me in improving for future attempts." Very few individuals achieve immediate success on their initial try. In reality, it's those who persevere and continue trying who ultimately succeed. Nearly everyone experiences failure initially, so make sure you're not one of those individuals who gives up after just one setback.
6. Be smart about your time
It may sound like a cliché, but there is no substitute for TIME. The older you get, the more you realize this. It seems so plentiful in the beginning, and yet so precious later in life. We cannot get it back. So, it's incredibly important to regularly evaluate our responsibilities and adapt accordingly as changes arise. Additionally, it is essential to uphold the virtues of honesty, commitment, and kindness towards our loved ones. Sometimes, we may need to temporarily set aside certain tasks in order to prioritize others that hold greater importance. This should not be seen as a negative thing - it is impossible for us to accomplish everything at once, and there's no need for us to attempt such feat either. The key lies in investing our time wisely in what truly matters.
7. Be smart about your money, too
While time is much more precious than money, and money is only a means to an end, it is what money represents that makes it important. It gives freedom. Freedom from certain worries, freedom to move and change your life and be flexible. Not to mention, we spend a lot of our precious time making it! So avoid the many temptations to throw away your money. The world is full of traps for you and your hard-earned cash. Avoid those who promise you quick gains and have patience. Those who wait and invest in the long-run are usually those who can retire without care.
8. Dreams will forever stay dreams unless you act
Dreams will remain mere fantasies if we fail to take action towards their realization. Merely wishing or dreaming without proactive steps will not lead anywhere of significant or tangible progress. There are many fears that keep us from fulfilling our dreams. Most of these are even valid, but dreams are dreams because they are not that easy to achieve, and many require either sacrifice or a large gamble. If you really want your dream, if it is a big part of who you are - make a bold move. You only live once, and living with "What ifs" is often worse than mere failure.
9. If you really want something, you must be ready to sacrifice for it
Following my previous advice, my child, is this. Sacrifice is a part of being alive. So many of us only dream the dream, but never think of the sacrifices one must make to get that dream realized. One must be able to sacrifice, because the perfect opportunity doesn't appear for most people. You must take what is offered to you by life, even if it means you must make concessions and sacrifices. So, instead of solely pondering what you want - whether dreams or goals - inquire within yourself: "What am I willing to relinquish in order to attain my desires?" or "What am I prepared to invest in order to achieve what I yearn for?"
10. Life is limiting, and there is beauty in that fact
Time, our most precious resource, is a finite thing for us humans. We don't have the time to read every book ever written, watch every movie, or visit every city. In this game of life, we are often faced with limitations. The most important thing is not to bemoan this fact but use it to shape yourself. How will YOU respond to these circumstances life has thrown upon you? You can either focus on what you lack or focus on what you have and what you will use to get where you want to go. Remember this, if nothing else - it will be your own mindset that determines your quality of life.
