A Few Things I’ve Learned…

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by Sandi Sieger
  • Find something you love doing and do it, every day. No matter what.
  • You can have it all. Whether you want it all is a separate issue. Have what you like.
  • We are not all born equal. Use that to your advantage.
  • Many people go through life expecting certain things to happen to them, simply because they feel it’s their right. Well, it’s not. If you want something, you’ve got to make it happen. Hey, you may even have to work for it.
  • Inspiration is something you create. You don’t have to wait for a moment to strike. Stop stalling. Start creating.
  • Don’t be afraid to stop. Breathe. Meander. Stroll. Cruise. Fiddle. What’s the rush?
  • We all have our own way of doing things. No one person has the best method. Be patient. It’s the key.
  • People will always talk and gossip. Even when you try to do everything to please them. So go out and give them something to really talk about. Be bold and outrageous. Get their tongues wagging.
  • Some people aren’t worth it. You’ll know the ones. Create lasting bonds with people who are worth it and fleeting moments with people who aren’t. It’ll change your life.
  • Helping yourself is by far the easiest and most efficient way to help others.
  • Move on. Get over it. Build your bridge. Don’t forget. Hell, don’t even forgive. Just. Move. On.
  • You actually don’t have to accept people for who they are. Some people aren’t wonderful or lovely or nice or friendly, so why accept them?
  • Allow yourself to get swept up in things – no matter how silly or daggy or dorky they may seem. Don’t think you are too cool for anything. You’re not.
  • If you constantly accept ridicule – from a workmate, a “friend”, anyone – then you most probably deserve it. If you constantly turn the other cheek then you deserve to be slapped. Grow some balls (whether you are a man or a woman) and stick up for yourself.
  • If you aren’t always honest with others, it’s a shame. If you aren’t always honest with yourself, it’s a tragedy.
  • Excuses are the tiny threads that keep many things going for much longer than they need to – careers, friendships, conversations, plans, goals – if it’s not happening, it’s never going to. Wake up. Put your effort into something else.
  • Try and pinpoint exactly why it is that you want to impress people that don’t give two hoots about you. Impress the people that actually care about you. F#@k the strangers.
  • Try and learn something new every day. It’s surprising how many people don’t.
  • The more you do, the more you’ll want to do. Choose to do things that have merit. Motivation is a powerful side-effect of the ‘more you do = more you want to do’ philosophy. Addiction is a hop, step and a jump away. Watch that line.
  • Some people won’t ever understand you. Either because they can’t wrap their minds around you, or they aren’t willing to. Their loss.
  • Choosing sides is never easy, but it’s much better than always sitting on the fence.
  • You may not always be able to change your situation, but you can always change your attitude.
  • Self-indulgence is the bed that many, many great things were consummated in. That doesn’t mean you get to act like a dick. Be self-indulgent. But don’t let it take over you.
  • Sticks and stones may break your bones? So what, they’ll heal. Words can never hurt you? Rubbish. They do. And they hurt more than a rock to the head. Words are powerful. Use them wisely.
  • Everything happens for a reason. We may not be sure why, but that’s the point.
  • There will always be someone in the world wishing for terrible things to happen to you; an enemy, a friend, a jealous acquaintance. Refrain from acting like them. Kill them with your brilliance instead.
  • Some people just don’t get ‘it’. Give up trying to make them.
  • Disappointment and hurt is everywhere in life. Happiness and wonder is also everywhere in life. Choose what you decide to focus on.

23 thoughts on “A Few Things I’ve Learned…”

  4. You have definitely inspired me with this piece today.
    I love self motivation but don’t have the ability to maintain the pace. – any tips on that?

    1. I think it’s only natural that our motivation ebbs and flows – we can’t always be up, but we can’t always be down either. It’s about finding out what inspires you and then remembering that – so that when you’re in a lull, you can quickly remind yourself.

  7. I’m older than you.. and man, some of these points, I’m still learning. Its like, most of them I know ‘logically’ but they still haven’t clicked. Favouriting this post for a day when I need a raw perspective. Thanks Sandi 🙂

  15. Wow. Great list! Some of these I’ve learned the hard way, others I’m still working on and one or two I may like to have a fascinating discussion about one day.

  18. Thanks so, so much for all the incredible feedback. I’m glad my ‘lessons learned’ have resonated with so many of you. Print them out, save them, stick them on your head, whatever – just REMEMBER them. We’re far too quick to beat ourselves up in life and it’s far too short to do so xxx

  19. Just started reading your blogs. This is one I’m passing on to my daughters, it has so much common sense. Thanks.

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