There are many things that we learn just by doing. Things that we can and ought to share with others – in hopes of saving them the time and possible aggravation of learning things the hard way. Here are life lessons #1- #7 that we’d like to share with you:
#1 If someone asks you to borrow money - consider it carefully.
You need to realize and be OK with two facts:
(1) you may never get the money back; and (2) their failure to repay you (no matter the amount) could mean the end to your friendship/relationship.
#2 See rule number #1. Should you decide to lend money to someone, even a family member, always draft a simple agreement that includes: how much they are borrowing; when they intend to pay it back; and both of your signatures.
It doesn’t matter if it’s in crayon on a paper bag, make sure these things are clearly spelled out.
#3 If you really want to get to know someone – travel with them.
Spending time getting to and from an airport or hours together in a car gives you lots of time to really get to know someone. Add to that temporarily living with someone and their habits 24/7 for a week. A vacation is the best way to really get to know who a person is and test if this is a relationship worth keeping.
#4 Everyone hates (or strongly dislikes) their job, their boss and/or their co-worker at some point in their life.
We all have to deal with people, places and things we don’t like or care for. Don’t fall into the trap of accepting anything for too long or it will become a habit that is hard to shake.
#5 People don’t think about you nearly as often as you think they do.
Whether it’s at work or home you need to stop trying to please others and worrying about what they think of you. Truth is, people are busy with their own lives and don’t have the time to think about you nearly as much as you might think.
#6 Always separate your home and car keys.
Why make losing your house keys worse by having the key to your vehicle attached? This simple life-hack can save you countless hours of time and frustration throughout your lifetime.
#7 Keep a CYA (Cover Your @!S) file at every job.
Just like a couple getting married doesn’t think about what it would be like to divorce their partner – most people starting a new job don’t think about how they may part ways with their employers down the road. Sometimes you may be forced to leave a job not on your own terms – so be prepared. Protect your rights and your interests by always keeping a summary of your key accomplishments, kudos and positive feedback from colleagues and internal/external clients, and your side of the story on projects and efforts that did not go as planned. Hopefully, you will be able to use a lot of this information for your annual review, but as they say – ‘better safe than sorry.’
We learn valuable pearls of wisdom every day but don’t often take time to reflect on what we have really learned about life and career. This week share with us on social media one important life and career lesson that you learned and can pass on to others.