At the beginning of a new year, I attempt to put my accumulated wisdom to good use. I reflect on the important lessons I have learned so I can project a better year ahead. A year that is packed with the things I consider most important. And a year that minimizes or eliminates the things that work against me. Like sweet tea and peanut brittle.
As a part of this process in 2025, I made a list of reminders as I start the new year. You may find some value in this. Or the value may be in deciding to create your own list.
25 Lessons to Remember in 2025
1. Use your time. It’s your most valuable asset. It’s finite. Don’t waste it. Even if you are sitting on the dock of the bay.
2. Do hard things. They are the most rewarding.
3. Do something valuable for yourself first thing every morning. That is your golden time. The filet of the day. It’s even better than a Filet O’ Fish.
4. Don’t overlook the compounding effect. Good habits, exercise, kindness, investing, being trustworthy, writing, brushing your teeth. They help more the more you do them.
5. Surrounding yourself with great people leads to a great life.
6. Weigh yourself every day. It provides a direct link between your actions and the results. Both good and bad.
7. Reach out to others first. The world is full of lonely people afraid to make the first move.
8. Get rid of the things that don’t serve you. It works the same way editing makes your writing better. It helps you move faster and lighter. And frees up space in your brain.
9. Find a passion project. These help make life more fun and enjoyable. Remember, you are the one responsible for putting fun and enjoyment in your life.
10. Discover your purpose. This is your lifelong quest. The sooner you find it the more meaningful your time after it will be.
11. Don’t stay in a job that has you dreading Mondays. Move along. There is a better option for you. (Unless your job is dreading hair. Then, you should probably also dread on Mondays.)
12. Develop and maintain connections across multiple generations. You can learn a lot from those older and younger than you. Like how to turn on the remote. Or what a manual transmission was.
13. Provide value before you try to extract value. This is always the order.
14. Be an imperfectionist. Take action first. Improve as you go. Be comfortable with mistakes. They are approximations that get you to the right answer faster.
15. Always bet on yourself. It’s the safest bet you will ever make. And listen to Kenny Rogers.
16. Call your parents while you still can. If you no longer can, then make sure to recall your parents often.
17. Remember that you are part of a trustee family. You are entrusted with carrying the family legacy forward for all of those who came before and those who will come after you. Recognize what others have done to put you where you are now. And do your part for those yet to come.
18. Make new memories with old friends. This is the best.
19. Set lofty goals and plans to achieve them.
20. At the end of our days, the only thing that will matter is the impact we have on others. If your actions are selfish, your impact dies when you do. (Note: impact is also a leading cause of death.)
21. Exercise is the best medicine. And it’s available without a prescription.
22. Those who laugh the most have the best life.
23. If you can delay your gratification you can achieve anything.
24. Always do what you know is right.
25. If you can’t eat, sleep. If you can’t sleep, eat. (I use this one more than you know.)
Bonus Jonas:
26. Give people more than they expect.
Key Takeaway
Through trial and error, and through your readings, and wrongings, you will discover great lessons. Collect them. Remind yourself of them often. They will serve as reliable guideposts to health, happiness and success. And they make for a great inheritance for you to pass along.
*If you know someone who could benefit from this message, please share it with them.
+For more of the best life lessons I have learned check out my book, What Does Your Fortune Cookie Say? from Ripples Media.
Adam Albrecht Blog 