After a year that has already started with some early tragedies around the world and closer to home and with one of my young coaching clients asking me what lessons I would pass on to my 18 year old self, it has made me reflect on what those lessons may be. Some of you may be aware of the fabulous Regina Brett’s 50 Life Lessons that I absolutely love and reference regularly in some of my programs http://www.reginabrett.com/life_lessons.php

While I don’t have anywhere near her wealth of experience, I thought I would put together my own List for Living to share but more importantly, to also be a good reminder to myself! Which ones or what new ones would be on your list?

Top 10 of my favourite Regina Brett lessons are……

“Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

If you don’t ask, you don’t get”.

And here are some additional ones of my own…..

Be respectful and kind to those around you. You never know what you will discover or where that person may turn up in your future.

Learn to love and respect yourself. If you don’t…how can you expect others to. If you want people in your life to value you, you need to value yourself.

Live, enjoy and appreciate the moment…don’t get distracted trying to ‘social media’ the situation.

Recognize, thank and always remember people who help you on your journey (no matter how big or small).

Don’t waste time hating or resenting others. Why give them your mood to impact as well.

The standard you walk past is the standard you accept and adopt. Don’t just walk past things that are not right.

Love and cherish the people you hold close in your life. Hard times will reveal your true friends. Get rid of the friends you know are not good for you or aren’t there when you need them. Good friends are the ones who can make you laugh when you feel like crying and know instinctively when you need that hug.

Don’t hold onto bad thoughts. Find a way to reverse the story in your head to a positive one.

Discover what you may want to achieve from others but dont compare your life to theirs. You have no idea what they sacrificed to get where they are or what their struggles maybe.

Be better than the person you were yesterday. You are the only person you should compare yourself to.

Dream big and set goals for yourself! You might just achieve them if you build a plan, believe you can and take action. If you don’t define what you want…you’ll never feel like you are achieving anything and may end up working to achieve someone else’s dreams at your own expense.

Respect your time. Don’t spend it with the wrong people or constantly doing things you hate.

Your tough, horrible times build your resilience and make you stronger. They offer us our biggest and fastest lessons. You have to experience life to fully appreciate the good times.

Spend more time with people or doing things that make you laugh! Reassess your life and friends if you can’t remember the last time you really laughed hysterically.

Make it your mission to discover what you are passionate/care about and what makes your heart sing early….make it a big part of your life.

Volunteer.

Treat each day as though something wonderful is going to happen. It will help you look for the good things.

Regularly ask yourself what you like about your life and what you are grateful for rather than just looking at what you don’t have. If you struggle…think about a 3rd world country…there is generally always someone who you are luckier than and has larger problems than you to help you put your life in perspective.

Your smile and your brain are your two sexiest parts. Sexy isn’t a shape or size it’s an attitude.

What you think about, impacts how you feel impacts what actions you take. Think happy, positive and constructive thoughts to get better results!

If you don’t like where you are or your life…do something about it today. You are the only one who can change it.

Forgive quickly but don’t forget the lesson.

Listen properly and be present.

Be active. Get outside more and clear the mind of all the clutter.

Look for opportunities for what you can do….not what you can’t.

Take action! Start now…don’t wait for things to be perfect to begin. Break down the task and take the first step.

Better to try, fail, learn, try again (more wisely) than to have not tried in the first place.

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t… You are right” (Henry ford).

Do it right and properly the first time. Doing things sloppily or not at all becomes your brand

Success is not the key to happiness….Happiness is the key to success. Know how to answer the question ‘what makes you happy’ and repeat…repeat…repeat again!

Find a way to make people feel good about themselves and it will generally lead to the right decision.

Aim for extraordinary. Over exceed on people’s expectations.

Have a mentor that you look up to and aspire to be like!

Define and live your bucket list now! Don’t wait for a tragedy to occur. Try something new regularly and get out of your comfort zone.

Have a good cry if you need. It reminds us that we are human.

You don’t have to be the best but always give your best.

Travel the world and learn how to cook and dance!

Build strong relationships with your siblings (if you have them). There is no other relationship quite like it.

At every stage, always be learning / working on something new. If you are not appreciating your skills – you are depreciating them.

Start an annual happiness jar where you write and add those moments that you love, appreciate or make you laugh! Make sure you put an entry in at least once a week and reflect at the end of each year. If you cannot manage at least one a week….reassess your life decisions.

So…which ones do you like? What would be on your list? Here are some questions to get you started on yours……

Think about what has been one of the best days of life? Why?

For you to live a life without regrets what would that look like?

What type of person do you want to be?

I wish I did more of…

I wish I did less of…..

All that truly matters in the end is….