52 "Ah Ha"s This Year

Today, I celebrate my 52nd birthday, and as I reflect on the past year, I can't help but feel grateful for all the lessons and insights life has generously bestowed upon me. One of the gifts has been the community created from this newsletter. Thank you.

I'd like to share 52 "Ah-ha"s that I've gathered in my "notes to self" over the past year. Each of these lessons has had a profound impact on my perspective professionally and personally, and I hope they resonate with you as well.

1. Purpose Unveiled: A person's purpose is the beautiful blend of God's design, a person's unique talents, and the problems a person is passionate about solving in the world. (Book: Kingdom Calling)
2. Rooted in Origin: Never forget your roots; they are an essential part of who you are today.
3. Job vs. Calling: You can have both a job and a calling, and they don't have to be the same thing.
4. Power of Compounding: Compounding is a financial superpower that trasnlates to learning and development. Learn about the Rule of 72 and harness its potential. (Look it up)
5. Aim High: You can't hit what you don't aim for. So, aim high and take your shot.
6. Embrace Disapproval: Have the courage to be disliked; it's a sign you're standing for something. (Great book: Courage To Be Disliked)
7. No Need for All the Answers: You don't always have to have all the answers; it's okay to seek guidance.
8. The Inevitability of Mortality: Everyone will eventually pass away, and most people won't remember you for long. Use this fact to live bolder.
9. Managing Expectations: Accept that things won't always go as planned or happen as quickly as you'd like, but keep expecting it.
10. Naptime Wisdom: Naps are ok.
11. Goal Setting: Setting goals is crucial, even if there's a chance you might not achieve them.
12. Defining Failure: Only you have the right to define what failure means for you.
13. Ever-Changing Rivers: Life is constantly changing; you can't step into the same situation twice.
14. Problem Ownership: Not every problem is yours to solve; choose your battles wisely.
15. Planning is Key: Not trying is equivalent to trying without a plan. Always have a plan.
16. Respecting Boundaries: Avoid doing the work for others; their journey is their own, and you shouldn't steal their magic.
17. Words vs. Action: Remember that words alone are not the same as working.
18. Passion and Purpose: Not everyone will care about what matters to you as much as you do, and that's okay.
19. Dealing with Regrets: Regrets are real and can linger, so make choices you'll be proud of.
20. Invest for the Future: Gotta put some in the bank before you withdrawl.
21. Five-Year Rule: If it won't matter in five years, don't spend more than five minutes on it.
22. Pursuing Purpose: When pursuing your purpose, don't expect others to understand; the freedom lies in this choice.
23. Clarity Over Originality: We are not original in thought. We just become clarifiers for our particular audience.
24. Choosing Sacrifices: You will have to make sacrifices and suffering, better to choose them instead of life picking them for you.
25. Your Path: Your path is 51% what you create and 49% what you discover. Keep it simple and keep moving.
26. Limited Days: The average person lives approximately 27,375 days; cherish each one.
27. Manifesting Reality: The world will only align itself to what you tell it. Not just think it.
28. Embracing the Work: The answer is usually simple; it's the work that we fear.
29. Valley Lessons: The valley magnifies the good and bad of you. And you will be in the valley at some point. Count on it.
30. Faith vs. Control: We want God to organize our lives so we dont really need faith.
31. Thriving, Not Surviving: God's intention is not for us to merely survive but to thrive.
32. Internal Dialogue: Your internal voice speaks at 4,000 words per minute; don't underestimate its impact.
33. Gift of Attention: Attention is the greatest gift you give another person. Be stingey.
34. Living Adventurously: Live life with a "See What Happens" attitude.
35. Choices and Consequences: Both doing the work or not doing the work will produce something. You get to choose.?
36. Struggle Doesn't Equal Failure: How you’re feeling is not an indication of failing it’s just an indication of it’s really hard.
37. Seeking Opportunities: You don’t find open doors because we deserve them but because we continually knock. Are you knocking enough? Answer is almost always, No.
38. Contentment and Growth: The grass isn't always greener on the other side; nurture growth where you're planted.
39. The Power of Laughter: I dont laugh enough. Laugh way more.
40. Average Expectations: The world will only demand from you average.
41. The True Opponent: It is always you vs you. Dont complicate it.
42. Start Now: The best time to start was ten years ago, but the second-best time is right now.
43. Resilience: You have survived everything you thought you wouldn’t so far.?
44. Spread Love: Hug at least 11 times a day; bet.
45. The Power of Connections: People are the rocket fuel to even a terrible plan. Find your people.
46. Productivity vs. Busyness: Busy is not the same as productive.
47. Time Management: Show me your calendar and I bet i can guess your bank balance. Organize your time and then you can organize your money.
48. Meaningful Questions: We dont ask each other enough of the right questions. But we are all waiting for people to ask them.
49. Others' Perceptions: No one is really thinking about you as much as you think they are.
50. Family Matters: Your children really are everything that matters.
51. Empathy and Understanding: We really dont know what each other are going through, so ask. And ask a lot.
52. Grace for Yourself: Even at 52, this is still my first go around at life. And yours. Give yourself some grace.

As I embark on another year of growth and discovery, I hope these 52 lessons serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for you. Remember, life is a continuous journey of learning, and each day brings new opportunities for growth. Thank you for being a part of my journey, and I look forward to sharing more insights and experiences with you in the years to come.

Wishing you all a wonderful day filled with joy, reflection, and gratitude.

Warm regards,

Robert Barber