Inspired by Jim Jr.’s recent "Reflecting on 30" post, after turning 60 last week I decided to post my own “Reflecting on 60.”
I was 22 years old when I started in the business and began working with clients who were the same age that I am now. Throughout the years as we have all aged together, those clients have become family to Bridget and me.
I have learned many things along the way from colleagues, clients, friends, and family members. Although there are too many to write about in this post, here are a few that stand out:
- Be kind to others. It may be as easy as thanking a store clerk by name at the check-out-counter or saying hi to a stranger on the street. The little things we do or say can go a long way.
- Always look for the positives. Looking at the glass half full is a lot better than looking at it half empty. Learn to appreciate what you have, not what you don’t.
- Learn from others. Find out about their successes as well as mistakes they have made along the way. I have learned successful people often do the things that others aren’t willing to do. Hard work and long-term thinking do pay off.
- Love what you do. We spend most of our adult lives working, so do something you really like with people you enjoy being around. Life is simply too short to do something you don’t like.
- Let people know you care. I have often said “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”. Talk is cheap, actions matter.
- Don’t put your head in the sand. Address bad news immediately. The sooner you work to solve a difficult issue, the better outcome you will have.
- Things are not always as good or as bad as they appear to be. Try to keep your emotions in check so things don’t seem to be better or worse than they really are.
Lastly, I have been blessed to be in an incredible marriage with Bridget for 37 years. We have a wonderful daughter and a terrific son. The years have gone by too fast, but I am a lucky man who has a great family, and wonderful friends. Here's to hoping that others can find the same joy and happiness in their first 60 years as I've found in mine.
