25 Things I've Learned About Life

Note by Harvey: some of the points I think are very good, but some of
them just simply not, such as drink beers and go to the club etc. Life
is not easy and of course need to try everything you can, believe
serendipitous.

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25 Things I've Learned About Life

Derrick Fung
Votes by Alex Wu, worked at Facebook for >4 yrs., Marc Bodnick,
Co-Founder, Elevation Partners, Edmond Lau, Ex-Google Search Quality
Engineer, Aaron Chiu, Software Engineer at Facebook, Luke Bornheimer,
I worked there from 8/2010 to 9/2012 doing prod..., and 4088 more.
When I turned 25 a few months ago, I wrote down some of the things
I've learned over my short time on earth. The last year has been a
crazy roller-coaster ride which has enabled me to see certain things
like never before. Last year during this time, I was working at what I
would consider my "dream job" - well, before I discovered my current
"job" (I don't think I can even call it a job). Over the last year,
I've tried to learn from people who have "made it" in life -
entrepreneurs, figureheads, lawyers, bankers and even politicians.
I've realized that there is no formula to success in life, but there
are definitely lessons that can be learned to help along the journey.
I came up with the following list which I hope to someday come back to
- but for now, I think it's a pretty accurate depiction of how I
think. So without further adieu:

Take risks when you're young. The older you become, the harder it
gets. But they should always be calculated.
The most important thing you learn in school is how to learn. Once you
master that, nothing will stand in your way. Never stop learning.
I would rather say that I tried and failed than live a life of regret.
You miss every shot you don't take.
Dream big. Life is too short to only be mediocre.
Music is the cheapest and simplest cure to life's problems. Queue up
your favourite play list, put on some headphones, and take a walk.
You'll instantly feel better.
Drink beer. Lots of it. It makes you think more creatively. Oh, and wine too.
Join clubs and put yourself in as many different social settings as
possible. It will help you understand people and make you a better
communicator.
Start your own business as young as possible. Even if it's a lemonade
stand, it will teach you business lessons you'll use for the rest of
your life.
If you're going to fail, fail fast and make it public. Don't drag it
on. Then pick yourself back up. Knowing that others watched you fail
will encourage you to prove them wrong.
Meet lots of different people. Life is serendipitous in many ways and
you never know what can happen.
When life throws lemons at you, make lemonade. Then pour it for all
your friends. Be optimistic. It spreads like wild fire.
Success does not lead to happiness. You need to be happy first before
you can become successful. Find what makes you happy. Don't stop until
you find it.
Many people don't want to start businesses because they are scared.
Successful entrepreneurs got to where they are because they were
willing to tread where others wouldn't. If you're too scared to leave
your 9-5 job, entrepreneurship is not meant for you.
Surround yourself with people way smarter than you. That is the only
way you will be challenged to grow.
Only those who are with you during the struggles deserve to be with
you when you celebrate the successes.
Pick and choose your battles carefully. There are only 24 hours in a
day. If something isn't worth your time, just say no...or outsource it
to India ;) (thank you 4 Hour Workweek)
The most important asset to invest in is yourself. Take classes to
make yourself a better person and never stop learning. Buy books. Lots
of them.
True friends will never question why you disappeared off the face of
the earth. They will be there for you unconditionally.
The more comfortable you are with a job you don't want to be doing,
the harder it will become to leave it and chase your dreams. Learn
what you can, then go change the world.
A dream job does not exist. You have to create it.
Travel as much as you can. You will come back with a wider perspective
of the world and more ideas on how to change it.
"Thank You" - the most powerful two words in the English dictionary.
God gave us all a purpose. Don't settle until you find yours. I didn't
think mine was to sit in front of computer screens and trade foreign
exchange, so I kept looking.
The world may seem big and scary. But the older you get, the more you
realize that everything is man-made. Nothing is set in stone. Don't
stick with the status quo.
Life is not easy. But having the right support group with you during
your journey goes a long, long way.


Thanks for reading! Check out my other posts on my blog:

1) 15 Reasons Why Start-ups are !@#$ing Hard
2) 50 Ways Ordinary People Reached World-Class (Robin Sharma)
3) Why We Rejected Our First Takeout Offer
4) How a Business is Like an Airplane