Kirk Kimmelshue

60 important life lessons I wish I knew years ago: 1 lost money can be found; lost time is lost forever; protect what matters most 2 to learn, unlearn, relearn and change yourself is a superpower 3 you are not your job 4 networking is about giving 5 the best teacher is your last mistake 6 good manners is as important as good education 7 do not take your good health for granted 8 be a better friend and value relationships 9 if you are waiting for a title to lead, you are not ready to lead 10 a work sponsor is more important than a mentor 11 a good story is data with a soul 12 stop worrying about what others think of you 13 if you want an easier life, work on harder problems 14 best teachers are life long students 15 imposter syndrome is real, and a good thing 16 fight against a sense of entitlement 17 half the battle is showing up 18 love and cherish your parents by giving them your time 19 success is not accidental 20 the best views are there for those who love the climb 21 lucky people work harder 22 takers may end up with more, but givers sleep better at night 23 memorizing is not learning 24 it is okay to look back, just don’t stare 25 knowing is not acting - I can > IQ 26 straight roads do not make great drivers 27 good listeners hear the unsaid (listen with your eyes) 28 be the person that you want to follow 29 do not limit your contribution to a job description 30 take care of your parents - the best gift that you can give yourself 31 customer service is not a department 32 in the long run, the optimists create the future 33 never ruin an apology with excuses 34 salary is for expenses. equity is wealth - do not rent your time. 35 do not take a caring boss, joyful work or steady income for granted 36 as you get older, you love your parents more 37 challenge assumptions, starting with your own 38 we learn more from disagreements 39 best gift you can give yourself is quality time with parents 40 the older you get the less you care about what others think of you 41 be a good person but do not waste time trying to prove it 42 be comfortable with saying ‘I don’t know’ - there are no experts of tomorrow 43 being self-aware is a key to learning and growth; know yourself 44 first, invest in yourself, then help others win 45 if the answer is no, do not say maybe or yes 46 Don’t just translate, write something new and original; write for yourself - writing improves your thinking 47 It’s more important to do the right thing than to win an argument 48 do not buy your children what you never had, teach them what you never knew 49 begin with the end in mind 50 to make progress on your to-do list, you must also keep a to-don’t list 51 leave everything and everyone better than you found them 52 be kind and polite to everyone 53 Here’s how luck finds you: —Work harder than expected —Stay teachable —Give without expecting a get —Read and write more —Show up on time —Focus on your customers —Develop good manners —Be humble —Be kind and generous —Surround yourself with smarter people 54 The bosses we remember: —provided us a safe space to grow —opened career doors —defended us when we needed it —recognized and rewarded us —developed us as leaders —inspired us to stretch higher —led by example —told us our work mattered —forgave us when we made mistakes 55 The older you get, the more quiet you become. Life humbles you so deeply as you age. You realize how much nonsense you’ve wasted time on. 56 Hire based on high rate of learning and good judgment 57 straight lines do not make great drivers 58 stand in the middle of the road for too long and you may get hit from both sides - be decisive 59 if you do not know the answer, it is okay to say 'I don't know, but I will find out' 60 do not follow or admire mean people - be the person that you would want to follow