25 Lessons of a 25 Year Young Learner

Taking time out of studying is always a trade off (aka, I’m cramming) considering it’s exam time, but I’m taking this opportunity to reflect on what really brought me to what I am now (25 years young), and what I will be in the future (basically, older). But I guess, as the saying goes, “with age comes wisdom…and achy shoulders“.

Here goes my long list of 25 Lessons Learned So Far! And maybe you can learn from them too 🙂

1. When life gives you lemons, ask for something higher in protein. Kidding aside, this one stayed since I first wrote it.

“Everyone was given their lemon. But you took your lemon and squeezed the hell out of it!!!”

Do everything on your part to benefit from what you’re given. Squeeze that lemon and refer to my post from Oct. 2013.

2. Never stop learning. There is always time to learn something new. Always.

3. Apply whatever you learn.

4. Quoted from one of my tutors who shall remain anonymous…”Don’t be a wiener. I failed tons of tests after I decided to not be a wiener. Now here I am, able to help more people than I could have when all I got was A’s”

I’m not saying don’t aim for high marks. I’m saying, learn to apply what you learn in and outside of school. Damn, it sounds like I’m repeating myself but it is sooooo important.

5. Smile. I’m grouchy as can be without coffee or when I’m hungry but I try 🙂 It makes the day better.

6. Make TINY decisions. The irony being, the best way to achieve “big things” is to take that step of one tiny decision at a time. The best part – when a tiny decision goes the wrong way, a tiny decision can steer you the right way. It’s harder when BIG decisions are involved.

7. Commit to becoming the most helpful person you know. This is constant work in progress.

8. Apply a Constant and Never-ending Improvement approach to anything you do. Everyday.

9. READ. 6, 7, 8 were taken from a few books / audiobooks I’ve read or listened to. They’re listed here for you

10. Move well, move often. It does a body good. I recently took Functional Range Conditioning with Dr. Andreo Spina and it was phenomenal – applying science to mobility training. Let me know if you’re interested in learning and I can help you move better…it’s a journey I am currently on and will be for a long while so if you want some company just give me a shout.

At CTS, we offer complimentary assessments to give you and the coach a chance to see if we’re a good fit.

PS. I don’t have a right shoulder. I’m currently working on creating one. My left knee seems to be disappearing too. That’s also in progress. We all have something to work on.

11. Trust the Thrust! HIP THRUST guide here. Check out Bret Contreras for glooooteus maximus gains. If you don’t know what it is, I’ll let Bret’s GIF do the talking.

NEVER MAKE EYE CONTACT WHEN THRUSTING. CAN’T LOOK AWAY!

12. Sometimes, we veer off course with our goals. Remember that CONSISTENCY gets you there.

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13. Know that you have friends to help you get where you need to be. If you haven’t found them yet, go out and find them.

14. Know people’s names. (something I’m working on all the time…it’s hard, but I try)

15. “I never say use the words ‘I can’t.’ I will just simply say ‘I will try.’ That is how I live my life, every day,” – Learned that from Ms. Murphy —> 77 Year old lady deadlifts 215 at a body weight of 105.

16. My lucky number.

17. Cooking is as much an essential skill as eating. Do both really well.

18. Find a hobby that will make you money. For myself, that will be learning about the human body, training, and becoming a chiropractor.

19. Find a hobby that will keep you healthy. This would be working out and playing basketball. Come to CTS and see how we do it.

20. Find a hobby that will keep you creative. It’s being behind the viewfinder and snapping away at whatever beauty I find in front of me. I once had gone under the name “macfotograffy”. You might still find some wallpaper worthy shots from me.

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