5 Life Changing Lessons I Wish I had Learned Sooner

Let’s face it: life is a rollercoaster. Some moments, we’re cruising through, and other times? We’re clinging on for dear life, eyes closed, hoping to survive. Along the way, I've had my share of faceplants—both metaphorical and literal. But here's the thing I’ve realized: I’ve learned some pretty valuable lessons the hard way. If I'd known them earlier, they could have saved me a lot of time, energy, and yes, maybe a few friends. But better late than never, right?

So grab a seat, because today I'm sharing the 5 life-changing lessons I wish I’d learned earlier. And trust me, they’ll change the way you think about your life, career, and relationships.

1. You Are Your Own Problem (But Also, Your Solution)

I’ve lost friends, money, and opportunities, and perhaps the most painful loss—time. For the longest time, I blamed everyone but myself. I blamed bad luck, the economy and everything in between. But the truth? I was the problem. I know. It sucks.

Here’s the kicker: once I took full responsibility for my life, that's when things started changing. It’s easy to blame others, but the reality is—we’re the authors of our own stories. Own your actions, your choices, and yes, even your failures. They’re all part of the process.

2. Hard Work Beats Talent (Yes, Really!)

We all know someone who’s so talented, it’s like they were born with a superpower. And then there’s the person who seems... not so naturally gifted. (Guilty as charged.) But here's the plot twist: hard work trumps talent every time.

I’ve seen ridiculously talented people stumble, while others who weren't as gifted kept grinding away and eventually crushed it. The difference? Drive. Hard work, persistence, and the ability to keep going even when everything else seems to be falling apart—that's what makes the real difference.

3. Failure Isn't a Stepping Stone, It's a Wake-Up Call

People love to say, "Failure is just a stepping stone to success." But let's be honest: failure, by itself, doesn’t teach you a thing unless you take the time to reflect.

Think of failure as life’s way of waving its hands in front of you, shouting: "Hey, pay attention!" It's like playing chess—it's not about how many moves you make, but how much you learn from each one. So, the next time you fail (and you will), don’t just brush it off. Reflect. Grow. It’s the only way to turn setbacks into comebacks.

4. Good Friends Are the Secret to Your Happiness (But Only if They’re Real)

Good friends are like treasure. They laugh with you, pick you up when you're down, and somehow make you feel like you can conquer the world. But here's the catch: just because someone makes you feel comfortable doesn’t mean they’re a true friend. In fact, some people will suck the life out of you faster than a vacuum cleaner on high speed.

True friends challenge you, support you, and even push you when you're too scared to push yourself. So, choose your circle wisely. And remember: it’s better to be alone than surrounded by people who make you feel worse about yourself.

5. You Are in Control (And No One Is Coming to Save You)

Here's the hard truth: no one is coming to save you. Not your family, not your friends, and certainly not a magical fairy with a wand. When I finally realized that I was the master of my fate, I stopped waiting for things to get better.

If you want change, you have to make it happen. No one is going to hand you the life of your dreams on a silver platter. You’re the captain of your ship, so steer it where you want to go. The power has always been in your hands.

SO: Make Today Count

So here we are. Life’s not about waiting for the "perfect" moment or hoping for someone else to change your circumstances. If you don’t want to be filled with regret later, it’s time to take action today.

Remember, the way you spend your time today is how your life will unfold tomorrow. Don’t wait for things to happen—make them happen. You are the key to your own success.

Now, go out there and crush it. And hey, while you're at it—drop a comment with your own life lessons. Let’s learn together!

As a Job Search Strategist, I use my coaching program to help midlevel and senior professionals with their job searches and career growth.

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About the Author: Visvanathan Sambasivam

I am a corporate professional, having worked as a Marketing / Consumer Insights professional in various Indian and Global MNCs for the last 30 years, with a passion for mentoring, teaching, and coaching; with a vision of helping 1 million people in their personal and professional growth.

I write regularly on LinkedIn & Facebook and have mentored many people in their professional journey.