09/09/2021 Life lessons at 40 : Unsolicited advice to improve the quality of your life.

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Life lessons at 40 : Unsolicited advice to

improve the quality of your life.
Prashant Pillai
It’s my 40th birthday and it’s been a fantastic ride. 
Over the years, I have learned many fabulous lessons from the ups and
downs in life.  Taking inspiration from one of my mentors Kevin Kelly, here I
have summed up 40 pieces of unsolicited advice that can help you improve
the quality of your life.  
As I write this, I'm sitting on a my favorite decade old bean bag in my
parents' Pune home. I’m here to  celebrate my sister's son's 28th day of
birth tomorrow.  
So pick your cup of coffee, makes notes...
Let’s begin...
1. Stay curious, try and do everything
Immerse yourself in your imagination and explore it deeply. The journey will
take you to amazing and unexpected places. Don't be afraid to try
everything, and use your intuition and instincts 
2. Play / Follow a sport
Aside from being addictive, the sport also teaches analytical skills and
sharpens your brain. Every sport I played or followed taught me to be
grittier, more committed, sharp, and quick.
3. Do Boring work
You will either burn out or find a way to keep it interesting. Accepting the
mundane in your life is a way of accepting what you have and finding a
way to make progress with it.  
4. J-M-H-IF Everyday 
Journal, Meditate , Hydrate with enough water and Practice Intermittent
Fasting everyday. As a result of following this, I gained calmness, more
awareness , lost weight and gained more energy. 
5. Get 10 hours of sleep every night
A good night's sleep can resolve most of your underlying issues, including
emotional and physical stress. 
6. Be a good listener
Often listening to people unbiasedly and non intrusively can help you
understand them better. You might also learn something you never would
have known if you hadn't listened in the first place.
7. Do more Analog experiments
To achieve this, you need to do experiments in real life. Experiments like
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09/09/2021 Life lessons at 40 : Unsolicited advice to improve the quality of your life.

opening a fast food joint, opening a pop-up shop, developing a new

product, spotting new opportunities, and packaging and selling a new
service. It could be anything you can touch and feel. Many of the things
I've tried have failed. However, the lessons learned from meeting people,
asking for help, money, and support to launch the experiment are timeless.
8. Own up your mistakes without any conditions
If you have done something wrong, don't wait for someone to point it out.
Acknowledge the error and offer a solution to rectify it. 
9. Document your Failures
To make progress, you must document your failures. Describe in detail
what you did and how you did it that caused the failure. It is often during
this documentation process that you discover a better solution to make
that thing successful. 
10. Do what your heart desires and follow your instincts
You will be able to repel a lot of fake people in your life. Heart centered
intentions and passions will attract your tribe.
11. Learn money and wealth management early
If you understand how money works and how to manage it, you can 10x
the quality of your life. Compounding is a powerful term with its roots in
investments. You should learn it.
12. Diversify your skills
You are not meant to do what you have been taught or told. If you learn
new skills and deploy them through your projects, you will realize that you
are limitless. Strategically combining these new skills makes you the best
and the only person who can do what you do. 
13. Meet new people
It is important to meet new people who can challenge you with new
concepts, ideologies, and thoughts. This is a way to maintain your
awareness and see how you can apply that knowledge and experience to
improve yourself.   
14. Don't ever lie to yourself
Never lie to yourself because you are doing a disservice to yourself. It is
important to understand that there is a difference between being
optimistic about the situation and telling yourself lies. Realizing this will
help you live a more honest life and have a better understanding of what is
really going on.
15. Gamify everything
Gamifying everything will make you execute things with a mission in mind.
You won't be as emotionally invested, since every task is just like playing
an actual game
16. Limit your resources
Do what you can with what you have. Start with what you've got and don't
wait to get the perfect gear or setting. By limiting your resources, you can
learn new skills and create better.
17. Be kind to yourself
It is human nature to make mistakes, to fail, to not keep promises. We all
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09/09/2021 Life lessons at 40 : Unsolicited advice to improve the quality of your life.

have flaws. Be kind to yourself and don't beat yourself up for every little
thing you haven't done. Learn to be kind to yourself, and love yourself like
no one else. 
18. Don't plan beyond 6 months
We are living in such a delicate and wonky time that planning for the future
a long way in advance is not wise. Stay in the moment and focus on things
that can improve the current system or process and avoid planning too far
in advance. 

19. Step back, stay quiet when you are in middle of family drama
You waste your time and energy trying to prove your point. Don't get into
an ego war with people who you know will get nasty as things heat up. In
some cases, it's best to fade away from their lives forever, regardless of
how much you love them. Live your life the way you want to, without
offending or disrespecting anyone. 
20. Never do things out of pity for someone
When you act with pity, the person receiving your help and support feels
weak and meek. They will then continue to expect this support from you
and others. It is important to act out of respect and grace when you wish
to empower people. 
21. Make more, give more 
Donate some of your money to charities and people who will benefit from
it. You can expand the lives of others through what you have. Be giving. 
22. Bond over BFMFT
Friendships and connections that are forged over books, films, music, food,
and travel will last a lifetime. 
23. Take notes for everything
Thoughts, ideas, and concepts that flood your mind last a very short time.
As your day progresses, you forget most of your genius idea. Create a
second brain that you can use to expand and create new things by using a
note-taking app or an everyday notebook.
24. Unego yourself
Take yourself less seriously. You can learn this by giving yourself less
importance and going with the flow while protecting your dignity. Your ego
will slowly disappear when there is less friction in your life 
25. You must cringe
In looking back, if you cringe and feel yucky, it is a sign that you have made
progress.  
26. There is no Plan B
Do not consider a Plan B. Our mediocrity is often caused by knowing that
something or someone is waiting for us if we fail. 
27. Play the game to your strengths
You can identify your strengths by expressing yourself and showing up
frequently. As a consequence of putting yourself out there, your
weaknesses are highlighted, and your strengths are revealed. Double down
on your strengths once you've identified them. 
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28. Preach by doing, not by words

Make an impact on someone through the actions you take, rather than just
words. 
29. Learn to build in public
You will not go far if you create secretly and are overly protective of your
idea. Embracing vulnerability and committing to learn, build, and fail in
public are two aspects of building in public.  Instant feedback and constant
checks will help you build resilience and strengthen your confidence. 
30. Create a golden sunset path for your parents
Despite all they have done for us, our parents sometimes forget to take
care of themselves. Ensure that they have all the resources they need to
transition into their sunset years. Help them learn news skills, help them
set up a new business, teach them how to create, do everything it takes to
enable them to be financially independent, mentally and physically strong. 

31. Others emotions and troubles are not your responsibility

In the past, as a sensitive, old soul, I used to be drawn into other peoples'
emotions, empathize with them, and sulk for days or even weeks. I was
unknowingly drained of energy by this, and was unhelpful. Instead of
blending into emotional situations, I now distance myself from them and
offer guidance when needed to make progress. 
32. The way to help others is to help yourself
Rather than working on others to make them perfect and conform to your
life vision, work on yourself first. 
33. Nobody is obligated to keep being with you
It is important to remember that nobody is obligated to work with you
forever. If you are not the one chosen, it does not mean that you are
inferior or any less deserving.
34. Make a list of your blessings and be grateful for them
Listing blessings can help you gain perspective on what is most important
to you and what you want your life to be like.
35. Learn to sell
Salesmanship develops skills like analytical thinking, problem-solving
abilities, confidence, and charisma. Whether you are a creator or not,
selling is an essential skill. 
36. Refer to the Originals
There's a surplus of content today, but it can be hard to find what you
need. Take a look at the original and the earliest authors, musicians,
writers, thinkers, inventors, and thought leaders - you'll probably find what
seem like boring details but are full of amazing lessons and learnings
because they have already mastered the lessons. 
37. Spend quality time with your loved ones
Whatever is your definition of quality, just do it. Make sure you have a good
time and do it whole-heartedly with them. Cherish these little moments,
they'll live with you forever. 

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09/09/2021 Life lessons at 40 : Unsolicited advice to improve the quality of your life.

38. Stop saying sir or madam

When you want to be more personable and build rapport with someone, try
calling them by their name. You might think this sounds too informal or
even disrespectful, but it's actually a great way of being human and less
patronizing.
39. Never judge a person by their past
You should never think of someone's past when judging them. Whenever
possible, if you can offer support and resources, let them make progress
with your support.  
40. Question everything and arrive at your version of truth
Don't be afraid to ask yourself questions and keep a healthy skepticism.
Don't believe everything you hear!
That's it.
That's a wrap.
How did you like it ?
I would love to hear your thoughts on what I have shared here. 
Continue the discussion here on twitter.

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