{"id":2817,"date":"2017-10-20T13:06:54","date_gmt":"2017-10-20T13:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foxymonkey.com\/?p=2817"},"modified":"2017-10-20T13:07:43","modified_gmt":"2017-10-20T13:07:43","slug":"31-things","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foxymonkey.com\/31-things\/","title":{"rendered":"I just turned 31. Here are 31 things I learned about LIFE."},"content":{"rendered":"

Here are a few lessons I learned during my life journey so far and that have really shaped who I am today.<\/p>\n

\"31

Never stop learning<\/h3>\n

Most people think that reading stops when finishing the university. In fact, they never read a book in their life after college. The truth is, education starts on graduation, it doesn’t end.<\/p>\n

You can only become better by educating, growing and doing. It’s the only way to learn.<\/p>\n

I read books, blogs, listening to podcasts and watch book summaries on youtube. It just makes me grow personally and help other people too. It’s how I started this blog!<\/p>\n

Happiness doesn’t come from owning things<\/h3>\n

Although money can buy happiness<\/a>, happiness doesn’t come from acquiring more stuff. Happiness comes from experiences, like hiking with friends or achieving something bigger.<\/p>\n

For example, I went through some pain to create a blog, write posts and research personal finance. But when I look back and I see all the 2017\u00a0articles I’ve written, the positive comments and the people I’ve helped that’s true happiness for me which came from creative work. Create something!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Working hard pays off<\/h3>\n

Sure, networking, being nice and politics can get you far, but at the end of the day, the quality (and quantity) of your work will show your value.<\/p>\n

This is what gave me a 6-digit salary<\/a> in the software engineering industry and created opportunities. I don’t know\u00a0a single person that made it big without working\u00a0their ass off. For this reason, you need to find what you like doing. There’s a saying.<\/p>\n

Do what you love and you won’t have to work a day in your life.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It’s hard to pursue what you love<\/h3>\n

As human beings, we’re trained to follow what society thinks is politically correct. Get a taste of what you like before you finish high school, get a university degree and work on something you may or may not like for 40 years.<\/p>\n

Noone will teach us about self-awareness or about the value of trying different things to find out what we like doing for the rest of our lives! That’s why it’s very important to focus on finding what we love.<\/p>\n

We’re also hesitant to change gears because we care what other people say. I like programming but I’m not 100% into it. That’s why I’m trying blogging and helping people with personal finance. I think finding what you love is very hard – and very underrated.<\/p>\n

If you want to make money start leveraging your time<\/h3>\n

Time is limited and trading my time for money as an employee can only get me that far. To make a real impact (and make millions too) I know I need to create businesses. When doing business, I can do things at scale.<\/p>\n

Most people trade their time working for someone else because it’s the easiest and the safest. So do I. If I want a 50% pay rise I cannot just go and ask for one. The market decides the ceiling of my industry earnings and I have to oblige.<\/p>\n

But if I sell shoes online I can definitely spend \u00a3100 in Facebook ads to generate an additional \u00a31,000 income a month. That’s<\/strong> the power of businesses – do things at scale.<\/p>\n

There’s a book on that: The Millionaire's Fastlane<\/a> by MJ DeMarco. Cheesy title but great content. Read it!<\/p>\n

Life is not always about work<\/h3>\n

I usually strive to become better, more productive, work harder and smarter. But I found that we all need some downtime. Other people meditate, take mountain trips, or play online games.<\/p>\n

I create pressure for myself and feel guilty if I’m not working on my blog, on my profitable betting<\/a> or on improving my career skill set. But sometimes it’s just TOO MUCH. What’s the point of doing all these if you don’t enjoy the downtime? #DowntimeForTheWin<\/p>\n

Exposure creates opportunities<\/h3>\n

My technical blog gave me the chance to meet some great people, getting hired without an interview and 2 calls from publishers to write a book for them.<\/p>\n

I couldn’t believe that! Who am I to write a book as an ‘expert’?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Not to mention free travels to speak at IT conferences. It probably increased my intrinsic value as a software engineer too – basically, I’m paid more thanks to it.<\/p>\n

This personal finance blog works in the same way. People started e-mailing me because they see me as an authority on the subject. I got a call from Warner Bros about contributing to a TV documentary about debt. Who knows what the future will bring! I’m excited!<\/p>\n

All I’m trying to say is that when exposing yourself to others and let your skills shine magical things can happen. It doesn’t matter whether you’re right or wrong. You suddenly don’t reach out for outbound opportunities and inbound opportunities start to find you. You help people and you increase your luck surface<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Two helpful resources:<\/p>\n