“Things I Wish I Had Known Then” – 21 Considerations for Grown-ups and Youth

Posted on May 4th, 2009, by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D.

I have often thought of how nice it would be if some of the people I admire had been able to take a computer chip out of their brain (and/or heart) and implant it in mine – thus saving me some of the trouble of learning about life the hard way. Alas, apparently, ’twas not to be. I’m hoping you can take this list and learn from it – and then add to it to keep trying to pass along the wisdom.

Save 10% of everything you earn – right from the first job you ever have.
Learn 10 new words every week. There are many word books and vocabulary books for adults and I wish I had started a systematic word study program 15 years ago.
Get and keep a decent calendar/planner.
You only get one chance to make a good first impression.
Gain a deep appreciation of the value of self-discipline and the rarity of self-discipline in the majority of adults.
Do the right thing at the right time. As Thomas Henry Huxley said, “Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not.”
Certain people aren’t worth the time they take/demand/that you give them.
Set boundaries, i.e., time boundaries, space boundaries, people boundaries, etc.
Seek counseling when needed.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. And it’s essentially all small stuff.
Excellence does not equal perfection. John Gardner said, “Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Very few have excellence thrust upon them.”
We become what we think about (Earl Nightingale). Your unconscious mind can’t take a joke.
The power of optimism.
You choose your life. Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. (Mildred Barthel)
Decide what is important and do what is important.
Pay attention to your intuition. Your intuition is always right. Go with your gut.
Be a goal setter.
The importance of passion.
Power of self-confidence/image. Until you make peace with who you are, you’ll never be content with what you have. (Doris Mortman)
The concept of “entelechy” – a quality, a vital force directing a person’s life to become all the self is capable of being. (Lovecky)
A better understanding about friends and relationships. Human beings have to have one or two or three people who care about them and about whom they care in order for the rest of life to make sense.

You can add to this list for yourself by filling in the blanks below:

If I had only known _________________ _____ years ago, I could have saved myself___________________________. Get some clarity on your own wisdom and then share it with others – and heed what you know, too!

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And, to make sure you are productive in your personal and professional life, you’ll want to access the resources at

**http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com

Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do via seminars, workshops, writing, coaching, & consulting.