I love Birthdays and this February it was my 53rd. I had a lovely day - I spent time with my family and reflected on how lucky we all are to be alive and kicking and healthy enough to stretch ourselves in new ways every day. As Birthday's go, 53 isn't a significant one - but I enjoyed reflecting on all the years, the adventures, the challenges, the great times, the sad times and all the lessons these times have brought me.
I'm a natural optimist.
When someone asks me if the glass is half empty or half full I'll be quick to respond that it doesn't matter because I can always fill it up. My husband says my rose tinted glasses have led me into scrapes and made us take some pretty crazy decisions over the years. But I'm unapologetic about my sunny outlook. I know my greatest lessons have come from some of the most difficult challenges and as such they're blessings in clever disguise. As long as we can get through the bad times we're rewarded with new skills, experiences and enhanced resilience to see us into our next adventures.
Of course this is easy to say once time has passed and we're on the other side of the bad times, but it's always important to stop and reflect on what we've learnt. And that's exactly what I did on my birthday.
So I thought I would share some of these lessons in the hope they help someone who might be struggling with something similar right now. How about 5 significant Life Lessons? 1 lesson for each decade?
I was so encouraged by all the likes and comments I made it through the 5 video lessons in 5 days. Click on the links below to see each of my 5 most memorable Life Lessons.
For lesson number 1, I'm starting with how I learnt how to get insanely productive during a period in my career when ACTION and OUTPUT mattered most. It also got me over my weakness for spending way too long polishing and perfecting my work.
Lesson number 2 takes me back to my late 20s. My stressful 24/7 job coupled with being a single Mum pushed my health over the edge and I fell ill with a neurological disease which seriously affected my sight, something that's still with me today. My lesson was - you have to look after yourself before you can look after anyone else. A big one for you nurturers out there!
Lesson number 3 had a huge impact on my life, both personally and professionally. Learning that Self Confidence is something you can build - and over which you have absolute control has changed my life! I've spent more than a decade learning about confidence and building my own. I've learnt a lot in the process.
I've captured all my best tips and tricks on how to boost your confidence in my free guide, if this is something you struggle with download it NOW!
Lesson number 4 is thanks to our 6 year old Grandson Olly. We all go through tough times and face big challenges, both professionally and personally. Some of these challenges you might welcome, like a new job, or starting your own business. You know it's going to be tough but you also know it'll stretch you and you'll benefit from that growth. But what about the unexpected and unwelcome challenges that blindside us just when we don't expect it?
My final lesson was one for Valentines Day and its all about when I met my husband. I learnt that even when you know you're absolutely, emphatically and undeniably RIGHT about something - you can also be completely, wonderfully WRONG!
I've really enjoyed reflecting on and recording these Life Lessons and I hope you've taken something away from them too. Life is for living and learning and I'm looking forward to what the next decade can teach me!
What are your greatest Life Lessons so far?