Life and Business Cheat Codes

Aug 11, 2024

44 Cheat Codes for Life and Business

Introduction

  • Learning from 44 years of life and business experiences
  • Sharing insights and lessons that would have been valuable at 24

Key Cheat Codes

1. Start as a Pawn

  • Begin at the bottom to learn, not earn
  • Be an apprentice before becoming a master

2. If It Takes Less Than 2 Minutes, Do It Now

  • Inspired by David Allen's book, Getting Things Done
  • Saves time and increases productivity

3. Manage Energy, Not Time

  • Focus on the energy you bring to tasks
  • Organize tasks by energy levels (e.g., creative work in the morning)

4. People Come for a Reason, Season, or Lifetime

  • Not everyone is meant to stay in your life forever
  • It's okay to move on

5. Cut Out Negative People

  • Do a 'friend-ventory' and remove those who drain you
  • Make space for positive influences

6. Create Your Community

  • Be intentional about the people you spend time with
  • Organize events to build your network

7. What You Focus on Expands

  • Focus on the positive to attract more positivity

8. Life by Design, Not Default

  • Plan your life intentionally
  • Set goals in different areas (e.g., fun, family, fitness)

9. Don't Shrink for Others

  • Be yourself unapologetically
  • Find people who appreciate your 'too muchness'

10. Be Willing to Be Misunderstood

  • Stay focused on your vision even if others don't get it

11. Never Stop Learning

  • Be curious and keep asking questions

12. Blame Yourself, Not Others

  • Take responsibility for your actions and outcomes

13. Givers are Happier

  • Helping others brings joy and fulfillment

14. Be What You Expect from Others

  • Lead by example in love, support, and cheerleading

15. Worry is Worshiping the Problem

  • Use your imagination positively

16. You Receive What You Desire for Others

  • Help others achieve their goals to achieve your own

17. Flawed Strategy Can't Be Fixed by Hard Work

  • Ensure your plan and approach are sound

18. Saying No Without Guilt

  • It's okay to say no simply because you don't want to

19. Lose Arguments to Save Energy

  • Agree to disagree to keep your day positive

20. Tests Come Before Breakthroughs

  • Challenges often precede significant progress

21. Peace Begins When Expectations End

  • Let go of expectations to avoid disappointment

22. Win First, Then Tell Your Story

  • Success makes your story worth hearing

23. Spend Money to Save Time

  • Value time over money for greater long-term benefits

24. Freedom from Secrets

  • Be authentic and transparent for a lighter, freer life

25. 90% of Results from Last 10% of Effort

  • The final stretch of effort yields the most results

26. Eat Between 6 AM and 6 PM

  • Helps make healthier food choices

27. Seek Advice from the Right People

  • Only ask for advice from those who have achieved what you want

28. Who You Are > What You Have

  • Focus on personal growth over material possessions

29. New Life Costs Your Old Life

  • Let go of bad habits and traits to move forward

30. Vision Pulls You Forward

  • A clear vision keeps you from reverting to old ways

31. Don't Excel at What You Hate

  • Ensure your success aligns with your passions

32. Life Gets Easier When You Make It Harder

  • Embrace challenges to build resilience

33. Results in Avoided Work

  • Tackle the tasks you've been avoiding for better outcomes

34. Stay Close to Supportive People

  • Spend time with those who want more for you, not from you

35. Health is Wealth

  • Focus on health as a foundation for other goals

36. Difficult Conversations for Better Relationships

  • Address issues directly to improve relationships

37. Take Risks to Win

  • Learn from failures and take calculated risks

38. Humility is Thinking More of Others

  • Recognize and appreciate the genius in others

39. Don't Compare Early with Late

  • Avoid comparing your beginning to someone else's advanced stage

40. Work Ethic Reflects Gratitude

  • Hard work shows appreciation for your opportunities

41. The World is a Mirror

  • What you give is what you get back

42. Value Beyond Money

  • Cultivate relationships and health, which money can't buy

43. Understand Your Trauma

  • Study and understand your past to grow

44. Purpose from Pain

  • Your life's purpose may lie next to your greatest challenges

Conclusion

  • These cheat codes offer guidance for a successful and fulfilling life and business career
  • Additional resources available for deeper learning