“Life is short but sweet for certain.” -Dave Matthews Band

Over the years of my life, I’ve had to face some lessons and learn from them head on.

Sure I haven’t made a lot of money in my life, I haven’t started up multiple businesses, or played sports at professional level, which is what some people may define as obtaining a high level of success in life. However, what I have learned through life experience is some wisdom that I feel would benefit a lot of people.

I may not hold any fancy degree from an ivy league school that I can show off as a title to people, but with that said, I don’t think that is an absolute necessity in order to make it in the world nowadays and thrive in the modern business world. What I do believe in is having a great work ethic, having strong self-belief, and having ambition for creating and delivering great value.

I think that my words could definitely benefit those who may have hit some roadblocks on the way towards achieving successful endeavors.

Here is my list of five lessons that must be learned…

1. Life is Too Short for Regret. 

Don’t sit back and dwell about what has happened to you, you’ll get left behind. As painful as some experiences might be, it isn’t healthy mentally to get caught up over things that happened in the past. For example don’t get overly pissed off that someone repeatedly rejects you every time you try to contact them and meet up. Don’t become overly upset when a job offer doesn’t pull through that you had your mind set on. The worst thing that you can do is get angry and let your negative emotions take over and sit and dwell on the past. You can sit in regret, but that’s not what a true winner does. Always keep moving forward. No matter what sport you play, whatever job you hold, or business world venture you participate in, you can always improve and there is no such thing as being overly-prepared. Life is short, so in order to gain an edge you need that extra motivation to turn things around when events don’t turn out as expected. Turn your passionate energy into fuel, so you can allow yourself to go the extra miles that your competitors are afraid to take. This leads to the next lesson.

2. Never Give Up.

Keep pursuing your life goals. Failure is not the end all be all. Even if you fall flat on your face and burn yourself out. If you have natural talent and strong work ethic, you will outwork your competition and you will dominate your peers. You can keep getting up and you can keep on trying. I’ve been in this situation before, I just wish I woke up earlier from my slumbers. Heck I’ve been on a hospital bed laying there wondering if I would ever be able to live my life to the fullest again. I’ve done laps around a hospital wishing that I’d never have to see the depressing building ever again. If you keep on trying and perfecting your deepest passions some door will likely open up for you. You always have to think positively, it’s the only thing you can do when things aren’t going your way. Keep your head up and keep pushing forward, no matter what happens you’ll be much happier knowing that you gave life your best shot.

3. Put Your Heart Into Everything You Do.

Whatever it is that you consider your strengths you must always put your heart into it. When you work to the point of sweat and tears and you reach new heights of achievement that you never thought were possible for yourself that’s when you know you’ve really put your heart on the line. When you out work your competition and never accept mediocrity you’re destined for a great life. As Bruce Lee would say, “If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not say there, you must go beyond them.” Your heart can do anything if you work for it.

4. Don’t Do Something Just To Impress Someone.

This is a big lesson. If you’re doing something just to win someone over or make them fall in love with you, it can leave you empty in the end, if things don’t work out in your favor. Just work with your heart and passionately follow through. Do something that you feel truly matters and you’ll make your dent in this world. When you act with the intent of genuine love it holds much deeper meaning. Doing something artificially for the sake of impressing someone won’t lead to lasting fulfillment. Ask yourself what will make you a better leader rather than a follower. If you’re really a leader you’ll be doing things for self fulfillment and for the betterment of humankind, not just for the sake of impressing one person.

5. Don’t Worry So Much About What Other People Think.

Some people might read this and think WOAH. Look I’m not trying to tell you that you should be a conceited egotistical freak. What I would emphasize is to not sit there and worry about what everyone else is doing with their lives and copy cat the way that they live. Don’t spend your time sitting and dwelling on how others feel about you and over react to other people’s opinions. Instead, focus on what you’ve got to do and avoid outer distractions. In other words use forced focus and concentrate on what you control, rather than external influences in the world that are out of your control. Put your focus on your best work and put it forward in front of you, so you can see it. As Henry David Thoreau said, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away.” Don’t forget about your purpose. Admire the skills and talents that others have, but learn and build so you can create a better life and conquer the things that you set out for yourself ever since you were a child ready to achieve his dreams. I don’t recommend that you ignore people and never help anyone. Set a clear goal and figure out what resources you need, as well as who you should get into contact with in order to get to your next destination.

Don’t always follow the crowd, and don’t focus your mental energy on regret. Some people will try and make life decisions for you, but don’t allow it. Get in the drivers seat and decide for yourself, become the decision-maker. Make it your aim to make smart-choices. It’s easy to get trapped in your own head, but live life concentrating on what you love to do and learn from other people.

Life is a lesson to learn, but don’t take everything that happens too serious.