Life Lessons at 49: Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Embracing Life with Passion and Style

I turned 49 this month, and I’ve been reflecting on the journey so far—both life and career. And I want to share some of these reflections, which have acted as signposts that have helped guide me over the years. If you are struggling in your journey, some of this might help.

My definition of success has evolved over time. Early in my career, it was all about the salary and the title. Now, my success metrics prioritise happiness alongside ambition and my career goals. Happiness in life often translates into achievement, value, and productivity at work. The reverse is also true; unhappiness seeps into every aspect of life, including your professional life.

Focus on impact over activity. I’ve seen that the world has two kinds of people: those who are perpetually busy with activities but produce little substance and those who prioritise outputs, focusing on achieving impactful results. The latter are the ones who get things done. Early on, I learned the importance of focusing on the output I wanted and reverse-engineering the process to achieve it. It saved me countless hours spent in meetings that didn’t move the needle. It’s about effectiveness, not just activity.

Be forever curious and always have a perspective. One crucial piece of advice I’d share is to quickly establish your perspective on what you want to achieve. The clarity of purpose makes the work not only easier but also enables you to complete it faster and more efficiently. But equally important is to remain curious. It keeps you questioning, exploring, and pushing beyond the status quo. Marrying a clear purpose with an insatiable curiosity has been one of the most potent combinations for driving forward, both personally and professionally.

Challenges will be a constant. Life has thrown its fair share of challenges my way, both personally and professionally. Resilience has been my greatest asset in navigating these challenges. Maintaining a can-do attitude and confidence in my abilities to find solutions, even when they’re not immediately apparent, has been key. Have the belief that you will get through it even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time. Often, you will be stronger for it; don’t forget that growth comes from times of feeling uncomfortable.

Be guided by your principles. A few beliefs have significantly impacted my journey: holding empathy for others, maintaining perspective, and staying positively solution-focused. These principles have not only shaped my professional path but also how I interact with the world around me.

Life is a journey, not a destination. Innovation and industry trends come and go, but one thing remains constant: the importance of never stopping learning. Life, both personal and professional, is a journey without a destination. Valuing growth means recognising opportunities—both those that present themselves and those we must create. Don’t be passive; be proactive.

Never stand still. Focus on learning, growing, and evolving to be the best possible version of yourself, not just professionally but personally as well. Take this past week as an example:? I started working with a personal trainer to prioritise my physical health, revisited an old writing project that's always been close to my heart, indulged my curiosity by listening to several thought-provoking podcasts, and signed up for an executive education course to sharpen my professional skills. Focus on your own self-improvement and the pursuit of a well-rounded life. It's these moments of stretching beyond our comfort zones that truly shape us.

Conclusion?

There is a beautiful quote by poet and author Maya Angelou that I have long admired and been inspired by, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”? This quote resonates deeply with me. As I edge closer to my next big milestone birthday, this quote is a positive inspiration that captures a lot of what I have learned so far and still aspire to be - living not just in the pursuit of success but in the pursuit of a life rich with meaning, laughter, and a boldness that is uniquely my own.