Turning 30 happens to be a significant milestone for most folks. However, most of us turn 30 not feeling prepared to face the next stage in life. By learning these seven lessons, you will be equipped for your future.

7 Important Lessons You Must Learn Before 30

1. Money Is Not Everything

One of the lessons you must learn before 30 is that though money is essential, but it is not everything. In your 20’s, one is excited about the freedom money offers. You are not happy about the place you live? You can move to a quieter and greener neighborhood. Health problems? You can get medication without worrying about affordability. It offers you convenience as you can afford a comfortable lifestyle.

However, we are meant to be a river and not a reservoir. Let money be a means to an end and not the end. Focus on value; i.e., connected with people, friendships, contributing to your environment and society as a whole. After all, the best things in life are free.

2. Take Care Of Your Body

Your body probably works pretty well when in your 20’s. However, the effects of your life choices will be evident as you grow older.

Moreover, your body is the vehicle to your success. It will take care of you when you take care of it. So exercise regularly, about 15 minutes to one hour daily, and ensure you live on a healthy diet. Exercise not to show off, but to celebrate what your body can do.

3. Failure Is Good

Another life lesson you must learn before 30, is that failure is necessary for your learning process. We were wired early on that failure is bad, but as you age, you will realize that not all failure is dreadful.

Failure happens to be freedom in disguise as the worst has happened; thus you can move forward. You also learn what doesn’t work, and by evaluating the lead up to the failure, you learn what you did wrong. Therefore, embrace failure. Fail fast, fail forward as it is the only path to success.

4. Listen To Your Inner Voice

How often have you had an eerie feeling about a person or a situation and ignored it only for your suspicions to be confirmed? One of the lessons you have to learn before 30 is to listen to this inner guide; to trust your gut instinct.

Yes, pay attention to what others tell you, to what you read, but ultimately listen to your guts. You have all the answers within you, and your soul/gut is your most trusted adviser.

5. Pace Yourself

When in your early 20’s, one feels like they have to do everything now. The need to get to the top, find love, experience everything, and plan our lives is too overwhelming.

However, we have limited potential, and we cannot do everything let alone do everything now. Therefore, focus on one thing at a time, be good at it, complete it, then move on to the next. Don’t rush things, but let life unfold as it should.

6. It Is All About Perspective

Everything in life seems so important; from the job you did not get, to the fight you are having, to the college that did not accept you. However, they are only important because you make them important. Perspective is one of the life lessons you should learn before 30.

How you view the world, determines how you react or don’t react. Change

“Life is about perspective and how you look at something. Ultimately, you have to zoom out.” – Whitney Wolfe Herd

7. You Can’t Please Everyone

It is human to want to be liked, respected, and to belong. However, it should not get to a point where you seek validation from other people. That comes from inside.

Understand that not everyone will agree with you, not everyone will like you, and not everyone will respect you. But remember, the respect that matters most is self-respect.

Don’t let mistakes overwhelm you but let them be lessons for a better future. Lessons in your 20’s should serve as a compass in your 30’s for a more fulfilling life.

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The sunk cost fallacy is common in our lives from something as simple as a person letting unworn clothes clutter their closet just because they’re expensive, to people holding on to stock even after it has lost value.

According to psychologist Daniel Kahneman, the sunk cost fallacy is commonplace because “organisms that placed more urgency on avoiding losses over maximizing opportunities were more likely to pass on their genes.” Therefore the possibility of losses is a stronger motivator than the likelihood of gains.

Some everyday fallacies are:

Employment and Business

In 1956, the Concorde project began intended to design a supersonic airliner. The last Concorde flight was in 2003 despite the project having run into prohibitive cost overruns as far back as 1976. The endeavor would later be known as the Anglo/French misadventure and would be renowned for the valuable business lesson it offers. In the same way, most individuals base the decision to keep the business running based on past investments even when the financial growth is uncertain.

In employment, most people stick to dead-end jobs as they don’t want to jettison the sunk costs in terms of raises, promotions, and offers.

Education

College students keep putting themselves into debt even when they are not making much headway in their degree. The argument is that they have to continue attending the “useless” classes as they have already paid and they don’t want their previous efforts going down the drain. This is despite the overwhelming evidence and massive student loan debt. Education is a powerful tool, but it must be used correctly.

Standing by Bad Decisions

A great example of standing by bad decisions as a sunk cost fallacy is cluttering your house with items you don’t need only because you spent money on them. Or you stick to complete a dreadful movie only because you spent money on tickets, or finishing an unpalatable meal. Sure, your money is gone but don’t allow it to bind you as you will only lose more.

Religious Sunk Cost Fallacy

As people grow older, most let go of their supernatural beliefs, but some cannot accept the loss of their religious investment. The clergy who have invested in theology are often predisposed to this but continue practicing despite inconsistent beliefs and overwhelming evidence against their ingrained teachings.

Relationships

People sticking it out in toxic relationships and broken marriages are the best example of sunk cost mindset. Partners invest a lot of time, money, and emotions, and can’t see themselves with someone else. They also don’t want to leave despite being in a position to and thus further entrenching their position.

How to Overcome the Sunk Cost Fallacy

1. In business, always ask yourself if you have a fighting chance, or it’s just a chance to fight. If it is the former, then go on, but if it is the latter, it might be time to pull the plug. Also, don’t make decisions based on previous investment but the financial viability of the business going forward.

2. Recognize that time, money, or any resource cannot be recovered, and it does not obligate you to continue investing in the future.

3. Realize sometimes the best decision is to quit. Though most perceive this as admitting failure, it is a sensible response when the goal is no longer viable. Keep working, but shift your focus.

4. In the words of Kenny Rogers, learn when to hold them and when to fold them. It takes more strength to admit you were wrong, there is no shame in making the best decision for yourself.

5. Finally, get the facts. There are instances where you want to stick it out in business or a career or degree but analyze the facts. Then make a decision based on the realities and not hearsay.

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However, this begs the question, how do you attract good karma into your life? Well, there are 12 little known laws of karma that will change your approach to life.

1. The Great Law

Similar to the law of attraction, the great law of karma means that you receive what you give out.

That is, “You reap what you sow.” If we desire honest relationships with others, we have to be candid and authentic ourselves. If you long for happiness, act accordingly and be loving. For financial abundance, then be generous.

2. The Law of Creation

Life requires our participation.

Everything around is the creation of someone’s intentions. Even our lives are the result of our inner state, although it’s inadvertent in most people’s lives.

Therefore, we cannot wait for things to happen; instead, we must put in the action to make them happen. Finally, surround yourself with what you want, so it is conducive for your desires.

3. The Law of Humility

Of all the laws of karma, Buddhism emphasizes the law of humility. The karmic law stresses acceptance which is a near universal virtue; that is, we must accept what is before we can change it.

4. The Law of Growth

Real change can only occur when we change who we are inside. As above so below and as within so without. If we want to see growth or change externally, we must be committed to changing internally. The good news though is that we have absolute control over ourselves, and our growth is beyond any circumstance.

5. The Law of Responsibility

Following on the laws of karma is the law of responsibility. You are the source of what happens around you, and the outside world mirrors our internal state. If chaos surround you, then there is turbulence within, and the only way to bring peace is to find peace within.

The law teaches us to take ownership of the state of the world around us as only then can we change it.

6. The Law of Connection

Often, we give more meaning to an aspect of our lives over another. We might cherish the present over the past, or think the future will be better, unlike the here and now. However, one of the laws of karma, the law of connection, emphasizes the interconnectedness of the past the present and the future.

Neither the first nor the last are better as they were both required to accomplish the task.

7. The Law of Focus

Our minds cannot follow multiple trains of thoughts and be equally proficient. Therefore, it is best you focus on one goal, the central goal, over multi-tasking.

The karmic law of focus also teaches that you cannot focus on higher and lower values simultaneously. We cannot harbor negative emotions and expect to grow spiritually, and we must direct our full attention to what we desire.

8. The Law of Giving and Hospitality

Another law of karma is the law of giving and hospitality. The law teaches that there will come a time when you will have to demonstrate your beliefs. It encourages one to ensure that their actions mirror their beliefs.

9. The Law of Change

Have you ever been at a point where situations keep repeating themselves, and nothing seems to be changing? As if life is telling you something by repeating the same situations. Well, in a sense you understand one of the laws of karma, the law of change.

History will repeat itself until you put positive energy to direct it elsewhere or you learn something fundamental.

10. The Law of Here and Now

The karmic law of here and now teaches us to be entirely in the present moment. It recognizes that at any time, the here and now is all we ever have and it is to be engaged with and enjoyed. Focusing on the past leads to regret while having one foot in the future results in anxiety over the unknown.

Come back to the here and now as it is the only place you can truly live.

11. The Law of Patience and Reward

“He who masters patience masters everything else.” – George Savile

Good things come to those who wait, and you cannot replace patience, persistence, and hard work, with wishful thinking. You have to be willing to do the heavy lifting to create anything of value.

12. The Law of Significance and Inspiration

The last of the laws of karma is on significance and inspiration. The law teaches that no matter how insignificant we might feel we contribute to the whole and the universe would be different without our contribution (no matter how small it seems). It is one law that you should reflect on when you need a motivational boost.

The law also teaches that the value of any venture is the result of the energy and intent directed towards it.

Following these laws of karma will ensure you attract good karma and that your contribution as a whole is positive.

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We tend to judge success by the day.. Not seeing the bigger picture. A perfect example of not seeing the forest for the trees. We also tie our dreams to some external validation which will never be enough motivation to keep going. We set these huge goals without considering how long it will take achieve them, or acquire the new skills required to do so. Thus, we throw in the towel when things get difficult. The reasons why we give up are more subtle. Below are the reasons we give up, and how to counterattack..

We Give Up Because We Lack GRIT | Ways to Counter Attack

Ted Geisel’s manuscript was rejected by 27 different publishers; he almost burned it, but he tried one more time under the pen name Dr Seuss (this is GRIT). The rest, as they say, is history.

GRIT is the inner courage, and the determination to do whatever needs to be done despite the challenges. Most people lack this, often because we never had to get our hands dirty, and that’s why we give up.

To counterattack, you have to develop GRIT. Start by pursuing your interests, practice to be competent, connect with a higher purpose, cultivate hope, and get a gritty community.

We Give Up Because We’re Stuck In Our Comfort Zone | Ways to Counter Attack

A comfort zone is a situation where one feels safe and at ease. Most people give up as they are not comfortable with the uncertainty of being outside their comfort zones. However, growth and success are only possible when you step out of your comfort zone; when you can embrace feeling awkward when trying out something new. Sadly, most people are not willing to step out of their comfort zones.

To counterattack, start by recalibrating your reality; do everyday things differently. Next, take your time making decisions. Slowing down makes you uncomfortable, pushing you out of the zone. Finally, do it in small steps as it takes time.

Our Discipline Evaporates | Ways to Counter Attack

Discipline is doing the right thing for yourself despite the circumstances. It is practising self-restraint, pushing ahead even when it would be easier to give up. Most people who throw in the towel lack this tenacity. They give in to indulgences when restraint becomes difficult.

Cultivating self-discipline helps you counter the destructive habit of giving up. Start by eliminating temptations, eating healthily and regularly, change your routine, reward yourself for small accomplishments, and learn to forgive yourself.

We Give Up When We Don’t Believe It’s Possible | Ways to Counter Attack

Lack or loss of belief that our dreams can come true is a common reason why we give up. When starting, we have a faith that our dream is achievable; that is until we are faced with reality. The challenges, the obstacles, and the time it will take are belief-killers. And lack of belief is a dream killer.

However, these challenges should only strengthen your resolve — counterattack by first winning in your mind. Winning in your mind develops courage and resilience to succeed.

We Suffer A Lack of Focus | Ways to Counter Attack

Another reason why we give up, why we quit, is because we are easily distracted by new things. We lack focus. A dream or end goal requires attention; consistent attention, but the list of distractions is endless. From a new show to trying to make ends meet.

If you are easily distracted by impractical fixations, then there are no excuses. To go on the offensive, reduce your choices, and eliminate your distractions. If your reasons are more demanding, say to keep a roof over your head, try setting aside an hour or two a day to work on your goals.

The Fear of Failure | Ways to Counter Attack

Fear of failure is more like self-sabotage. It is rooted in fear of rejection by others (family and friends), and not in the failure itself. Furthermore, it’s is debilitating. It makes you stop taking chances and you doubt yourself. You result to doing things that are ‘safe.’ And thus give up on your dreams.

To overcome the fear of failure, visualise obstacles, think more appropriately, analyse all potential outcomes, and look at the worst-case scenario. Finally, have a contingency plan, and forget what people will think about you.

Loss Aversion | Ways to Counter Attack

Picture this; a colleague offers to flip a coin, if it lands on heads, she will give you $20. However, you will have to part with $20 should it fall on tails. Would you take the gamble? Probably not; the reward has to be twice the amount you will lose. This is loss aversion; that is, the psychological pain of losing is twice the pleasure of gaining.  

Most people give up as they don’t want to lose. Avoiding the worst-case scenario is seen as more beneficial than gaining.

You have to conquer the loss aversion cognitive bias and develop a will to win — mull over why you are hesitating and obliterate each of those obstacles.

Living in an Environment Filled with Negativity | Ways to Counter Attack

Negativity is harmful and contagious, and most people give up as negative Nancys surround them. Surrounding yourself with people with limiting beliefs will kill your dreams faster than any of the other reasons on this list.

To counter attack, you have to cut off toxic people and surround yourself with positive people.

Poor Time Management | Ways to Counter Attack

Not having enough time is an everyday excuse we come up with when asked why we gave up. Talk to some of your colleagues on why they gave up, and odds are lack of time will be one of the many defences.

However, it is poor time management and not lack of time. We will gladly binge watch a new show over working on our dreams. We spend time on pointless ventures, time we should spend acquiring new skills and working on our goals. To overcome, you have to set a schedule and stick to it. You have to prioritise and set boundaries.

We Get Tired of Repetitiveness | Ways to Counter Attack

To achieve your dreams, or acquire what you desire, you have to rinse and repeat everything you do daily. Think of striking an oak tree with an axe a thousand times. If you hit it in 1000 different places, you will not bring it down. But strike it a thousand times in the same spot, and you will bring it down.

Repetition reduces dopamine release, and you are no longer excited about what you are doing. Thus, you throw in the towel as you’re chasing excitement. However, we have to be comfortable with repetitiveness to get to our goals. Try changing how you perform the tasks to prevent the risk of boredom. Changing your workspace or working in a coffee shop or a shared workspace could help. Mix it up to maximise your results.

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Cognitive bias is the propensity to think in a way that defies logic. Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky discovered these biases in the 1970’s proving once and for all that humans are not logical creatures.

We could get bogged down in the scientific jargon but let’s look at the most common mental errors.

Survivorship Bias

Back in world war II, researchers studied planes that had come back from missions and suggested adding armor to the areas that were most damaged. However, Abraham Wald, a Hungarian Statistician suggested they add armor to the areas that had the least or no damage as only the planes that survived made it back.

The survivorship bias is popular online where we study successful sports stars and entrepreneurs. We listen to their inspirational stories ignoring the many others who did the same but never made it to the top. Focusing on the successful thinking that they know the way to the top is a misconception. We should also take time to study “failures” to avoid making the same mistakes.

Bandwagon Effect

A few years back, Quora removed the number of upvotes before clicking on an answer as people used to disregard answers with fewer upvotes in favor of popular solutions.

The bandwagon effect is one of the most common mental errors where the rate of uptake of beliefs or trends increases the more others adopt them. Though the bandwagon is not always incorrect, it limits our ability to work and think critically.

Moreover, we are more susceptible to wrong ideas.

Hyperbolic Discounting Mental Error

According to a 1998 study, we are more likely to choose unhealthy snacks for immediate choice than for future choice.

If you have ever opted for a smaller immediate reward over a greater reward later, you are a victim of hyperbolic discounting.

A lot of decisions involving our health, our finances, or our general wellbeing are subject to this mental error. Unfortunately, we are wired to choose sure thing rewards. Emphasize with your future self, and remember your tomorrow depends on what you do today.

The Availability Heuristic

Which is safer – driving or flying? High profile plane crashes may lead one to think that driving is more reliable than flying, but the statistics prove otherwise. You have a 1 in 114 chance to die in a car crash compared to a 1 in 9,821 possibility of dying in a plane crash.

The availability heuristic mental error is a shortcut where people use immediate examples that come to mind when evaluating a topic. We tend to think that something that we recall is important over other solutions that aren’t readily available. Thus, resulting in us making ill-advised decisions.

Confirmation Bias

Another commonplace mental error is confirmation bias. Also known as wishful thinking, the confirmation bias is the mistake that occurs when we give priority to information that confirms a pre-existing belief over that that doesn’t support the theory.

Confirmation bias is self-deception. It’s like a drug numbing you to the reality. However, always look for ways to prove your hypothesis wrong. That is look at the world without the need to look for instances to please your ego.

Wrapping Up

There are about 100 common mental errors. The errors above are the most common. Also, though they might weaken your mental strength, it does not mean your mind is broken. Simply recognizing them is the first step towards making better decisions.

We love to hear from our readers. So share your thoughts in the comments below and do share.

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In stark contrast – rarely do we see the real behind the scenes footage of the long hours, the dead ends, the sweat, tears and backbreaking toil of those just beginning their journey.

The result then is a society obsessed with the results of success, but oblivious to the challenges.

Therefore, most people give up as soon as things get tough or something doesn’t work.

The 10 Commandments of Business, serve as a source of light and strength for every entrepreneur.

Thou shalt follow thy passion | 10 Commandments of Business

“Kill passion, and you kill God. Passion is God wanting to say hi.” Conversations With God Book 1

You have to do what sets your soul on fire – only then can you excel.

Passion is the fuel that will keep you going during the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ times. It’s the magic formula to making hard work, easy.

By following your passion, you will be happy no matter the circumstances, you’ll enjoy the process as you’re pouring your heart and soul into your work, and you will never work a day in your life.

Believe | 10 Commandments of Business

“There is nothing you cannot be, nothing you cannot do, nothing you cannot have.” Conversations With God Book 1

As an entrepreneur, you can have one of two ingrained beliefs; scarcity or abundance.

We encourage you to pursue an abundance mindset.

Believe in a world of limitless opportunities and create audacious goals; have faith in a world that is yearning for your services, a world where there is plenty of resources, love, and wealth.

You must believe it to receive it.

Thou shalt persevere | 10 Commandments of Business

“The race is not for the swift, but for those who endure.” Ecclesiastes 9:11

The journey of a thousand miles begins with that first step; but to complete a thousand miles, one has to keep walking.

The character trait that allows you to keep walking is perseverance. You have to discount the obstacles and keep moving forward.

It’s true, you might have to walk through hell to reach your goals, but if you persevere.. heaven (success) awaits.

Thou shalt embrace failure | 10 Commandments of Business

Failure is the icing on the cake that is life. Life without failure is just a dry biscuit. Moreover, you have to know failure to know success.

Do not look forward to failure but embrace it, should it come knocking, because failure is the quickest way to improve & succeed.

It might not be the desired result, but you will be wiser for it.

Failure affords you the opportunity to analyze your strengths and weaknesses as an entrepreneur and gain the experience and knowledge that is vital for success.

Thou shalt be authentic and transparent | 10 Commandments of Business

It’s natural to desire the fancy titles (CEO or Founder), but be careful not to be stuck in a role.

People want to associate with the real you, and not the role-playing you. Furthermore, intentions will be clear, and any action will be effortless. Authenticity results in more meaningful relationships, and you will enjoy your work.

Also, encourage transparency among your employees to build a more collaborative and creative environment.

Thou shalt trust thy gut | 10 Commandments of Business

Also known as intuition, or premonition, you should always trust your gut feeling.

Hunches are the soul’s compass and will forever lead you in the right direction.

Listening to your gut results in clarity, and insight for more beneficial business choices. If you can’t trust your own judgement, you are doomed to stagnate.

Execution is everything | 10 Commandments of Business

Faith without action is death.

It doesn’t matter how good your ideas are, how strong your belief is, or how authentic of a person you are, if you never pull the trigger..

Action is the keyword.

You have to take the chance, make plans, build the product, and market it aggressively. Gamble on your idea and back yourself 100%.

These actions will bring you closer to your ultimate success.

Thou shalt find a supportive community | 10 Commandments of Business

Success is the product of creative partners and collaborations with highly talented individuals.

Jan Koum had Brian Acton, Bill Gates had Paul Allen, and Steve Jobs had Steve Wozniak.

Surround yourself with people with different skills; preferably people on a higher level than. Because, remember you are shaped by the five people you spend the most time with.

Thou shalt be prepared | 10 Commandments of Business

“Proper preparation is the key to our success.” George S. Clason, The Richest Man in Babylon

The success you desire is all around.. but disguised as opportunity.

The question is how ready are you to seize it?

Usain Bolt was training to be a 200m expert, but he got the opportunity to be the fastest man alive. His preparation ensured he was equipped to grab the chance. How prepared are you? For when your opportunity comes calling.

Remember, “Success is when preparedness meets opportunity.” Therefore, learn and acquire new skills that have multiple applications.

Thou shalt watch the bottom line | 10 Commandments of Business

All businesses be it the local store, a law firm, or the largest tech-startups.. are all for profit.

However, as entrepreneurs, we are emotionally attached to our businesses and are not willing to let them die even when it is best to do so.

Ensure you are making money from the word go, or you have a blueprint for how you are going to monetize. Otherwise, fold up and move on to the next venture.

There is no sure path to success, if something is not working you must be direct enough to take another approach, having a set of core principles will help you navigate the entrepreneurial waters.

7 Critical Success Principles for Entrepreneurs 

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