Gaining Wisdom

As I get older, I find that I’m becoming wiser. That may sound like a cliché, but even clichés are based in truth. Wisdom does come with age―mostly from making mistakes and learning from the consequences.

Anyone who has been in business for any amount of time has made mistakes. The most important thing to remember is that each mistake is a chance to learn, and to grow personally and professionally. Here are some things I’ve learned over the years.

Identify what’s most important to you. What do you value most? What 4 or 5 things do you most want to do or experience in life? When you identify these core priorities, you can evaluate your work and personal life against them. Really want to take that month-long safari vacation in Africa? Make it happen by saving money and vacation time. On the other hand, if building a business empire is a core priority, dedicate the time to make that happen.

Speak and act honestly. Are you able to stand behind what you do and say? If not, reexamine your words and learn to articulate your thoughts in an open and honest way. This helps eliminate misunderstandings down the road and maintains your personal integrity. Integrity is a big factor in business success, too.

Learn from your mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, so don’t beat yourself up if you make one yourself. As long as they’re looked at as learning experiences, they can be a good thing. Just make an honest effort not to repeat them.

Take care of it Right Now! This applies to both your business and personal life. Clean as you go. Sort through the mail before you put it down; junk mail in the recycling, bills in another bin or basket. Deal with personal mail the same way. Don’t pile everything up into an overwhelming mess (I see you, clean but unfolded laundry…). Don’t walk past it and wonder how your office, business, or home got to be so messy.

Give it 24 hours. Give yourself 24 hours to digest an upside-down situation, conversation, or an important decision. By giving yourself some time and not acting immediately, you’ll avoid any drama that may follow later. This also works if someone has offended or angered you. By waiting a day or two to confront them, you can approach the situation with a level-head.

Laugh out loud. Don’t take yourself so seriously. Humor is a positive coping mechanism that not only improves your mood but builds self-esteem. Learn to laugh at yourself, and others will see you as someone who doesn’t fly off the handle in times of stress.

Take care of your body. If your body is healthy and in good repair, you’re better able to handle any stress in your life. However, an unhealthy body can cause great amounts of additional stress. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep.

Get rid of unnecessary things. This applies not only to belongings, but services, subscriptions, and people that bring negativity and stress to you. Surround yourself with people and things that you really love. Ask, “Do I really need this?” If you hesitate, you don’t.

Give yourself a break and learn from your past. Reflect on the people, things, and ideas that have shaped you. Take the negative and positive lessons and apply them going forward. Be happy you’ve gotten to this point―you’ve grown. Just sayin’.

Published: New Mexico Apartment News Magazine – May/June issue 2018