4 Life Lessons I’ve Learned By My 34th Birthday

4 Life Lessons I’ve Learned By 34.

This week I will be turning 34. Birthdays have always been a time of deep reflection for me. What has gone well? What hasn’t gone so well? How can I achieve my massive, seemingly unrealistic goals?

When I reflect on how I feel, it is really quite fascinating. There are some aspects of my life which are no where near where I anticipated they would be. And then there are other aspects, which have exceeded some of my wildest dreams and expectations. There is an interesting dynamic between fulfilment and achievement. I feel content with who I am, and as an almost 34 year old woman, I feel confident, secure and self-assured. I do still feel like I am only just scratching the surface, and that there is so much for me to still accomplish.

In this post, I wanted to share 4 life lessons I’ve learned by my 34th birthday.

1. AN INVESTMENT IN YOURSELF IS THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU’LL MAKE

Growing up, I felt the societal pressures of what I should be spending my money on. Spending money on a university degree is good. Whereas, I was somehow made to feel guilty for spending money on a personal development course. I’ve learned that an investment in yourself is the best investment you could ever make. Whenever I have invested in myself, I have received an ROI 10 times the initial investment.

I set 10-15% of my salary aside to spend on personal and professional seminars and courses and private coaching. I also regularly listen to podcasts, read books and listen to audio books on a daily basis.

When you are willing to put in the work and invest in yourself, the benefits personally and professionally are enormous. Investing in myself is the single best investment I’ve ever made.

2. WHEN YOU ASK GOOD QUESTIONS, YOU GET GOOD ANSWERS

Gone are the days of me being too shy, or too afraid to speak up. I used to be too afraid to ask questions at the risk of sounding like I didn’t know what was going on. I’ve found the opposite to be true – if you don’t ask good questions, how are you supposed to get good answers? I’ve become a serial interviewer / interrogator, and won’t stop asking questions until I get the information I need.

The same is true when it comes to asking yourself good questions. Some of the biggest questions I have asked myself are:

• What is my purpose?
• What impact do I want to make to those around me?
• How do I want to be remembered?
• What contribution do I want to make?
• What would my life look like if I had absolutely no limitations?

There are some pretty big questions, and by asking them, I have received some pretty incredible answers. Don’t be afraid to ask good questions – it is the only way you’ll get the answers you are looking for.

3. YOU’LL NEVER ACHIEVE GREATNESS FROM WITHIN YOUR COMFORT ZONE

This past year in particular has been a year of breaking comfort zones. I have put myself out there in ways I have previously never done before. I have recognised the importance of feeling the fear, and choosing to do it anyway. Some of my greatest accomplishments have come from doing the things that terrify me.

Last year, I was given an opportunity to interview Elena Cardone for my podcast, however there was only one problem – I didn’t have a podcast. Nor did I have any idea on how to start one. I was completely petrified, and had 48 hours notice had to prepare for an interview, create a podcast and find people who could come and record / film it for me. If I didn’t say yes, I would have missed out on an incredible opportunity, and I probably still would have talked myself out of starting one.

One thing I have learned is that you’ll never achieve greatness from within your comfort zone. Learn to feel the fear, and do it anyway.

4. THE PRESENT MOMENT IS ALL WE EVER HAVE

Eckhart Tolle is one of the greatest spiritual teachers of our time, and his work has truly had a profound effect on me. Through Eckhart’s work, I have learned to truly understand the meaning by which the present moment is all we ever have. His work has helped me to slow down, to appreciate being in each moment and to be grateful for what I have.

Whilst it is important to have big goals and dreams, it is equally important to live in the moment. When we are constantly looking to the next moment, the next thing we have to do, the next place we have to get to, we are missing out on the now, and missing out on life itself.

This has been a profound and powerful lesson for me, and I truly encourage you to familiarise yourself with Eckhart’s work – it truly is life-changing.

4 LIFE LESSONS I’VE LEARNED BY 34

These are 4 life lessons I’ve learned by 34. What are some of the biggest life lessons you’ve learned? I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences, please leave your comments below!