I want to thank you for your thought provoking article. I just passed my 36th birthday, and I've reached some different conclusions. Many of my criticisms stem from your statements that are over generalized and inflexible. I may agree with the spirit you wrote them, but many of these arbitrary rules break when subjected to different contexts. Some I totally disagree with but please apply to my challenges a friendly and respectful tone:
1. Always ... say you’re sorry ...
Apologizing indicates acknowledgement of wrongdoing. Don't apologize when you are not in the wrong. I would say "be quick to apologize, when you have wronged someone".
2. Possessions are worse than worthless ...
False. Possessions are bad because they cost money? My possessions add a lot to my life, I couldn't manage without my Android phone, and my physical condition would suffer without my hiking boots and mountain bike. Don't get me started on my computer, a possession that enriches my life immensely. That said make sure that possessions don't own you.
3. Slow down.
Speed up. Think faster and the world moves slower around you. It's beautiful.
4. Goals aren’t as important as we think.
Goals are AWESOME! Especially when you accomplish a difficult one.
5. The moment is all there is.
I probably shouldn't touch this, but as much as I believe in being present in the moment I think it is important to plan ahead, and to remember the past.
6. When your child asks for your attention, always grant it.
Agreed. Who or what is more important?
7. Don’t go into debt.
Do go into debt. Just be smart about it. Rich people go into debt all the time. It's the basis of many tax shelters. 13% interest is still cheaper than paying taxes. If you can borrow and make a profit, do it. Don't pay $1200/mo for rent because you don't want a $150K mortgage with a $900/mo payment. Be careful though: don't borrow more than you can afford to repay.
8. I’m not cool ...
Good for you. You don't care about what other people think; that's pretty cool.
9. The only kind of marketing you need is an amazing product. If it’s good, people will spread the word for you. All other kind of marketing is disingenuous.
False. You absolutely need to reach as many people as possible and YOU need to explain why your product is great and you need to use every tool at your disposal. It's up to you whether your message is an honest one, but that doesn't make all other marketing "disingenuous".
10. Never send an email or message that’s unfit for the eyes of the world. In this digital age, you never know what might slip into public view.
True.
11. You can’t motivate people. The best you can hope for is to inspire them with your actions. People who think they can use behavioral “science” or management techniques have not spent enough time on the receiving end of either.
You can indeed motivate people, although most management techniques fail woefully to do so. I've been motivated by great managers in the past, and hopefully someday I will motivate others around me.
12. If you find yourself swimming with all the other fish, go the other way ...
If you arbitrarily assume that the crowd is wrong, you are still letting them decide for you. Think critically, and for yourself.
13. You will miss a ton, but that’s OK.
True.
14. Mistakes are the best way to learn. Don’t be afraid to make them. Try not to repeat the same ones too often.
False. There are better ways to learn that meth is bad than to try it. Still I agree that you should not be afraid to fail.
15. Failures are the stepping stones to success ...
Sometimes. But this is number 14!
16. Being a vegan/vegetarian is wonderful.
Good for you! I can't comment, being a full on opportunistic omnivore.
17. There are few joys that equal a good book, a good walk, a good hug, or a good friend. All are free.
True. Let me add to the list decimating an opponent @ Starcraft2.
18. Fitness doesn’t happen overnight ...
True.
19. The destination is just a tiny slice of the journey.
True enough.
20. A good walk cures most problems.
False. Although hiking is AWESOME!
21. Let go of expectations.
Helpful advice for sure.
22. Giving is so much better than getting.
I like both in my life.
23. Competition is very rarely as useful as cooperation ...
I think both are useful. You must cooperate to compete.
24. Gratitude is one of the best ways to find contentment ...
Not bad advice, but I value striving to better myself too.
25. Compassion for other living things is more important than pleasure.
See 16. To me this is a question of where you draw the line. Plants also are living things.
26. Taste buds change ...
See 16.
27. Create ...
True.
28. Get some perspective.
Good advice.
29. Don’t sit too much.
True.
30. Use the magic of compound interest.
False. By the time the magic kicks in you can see number 36. Mutual funds are a horrible investment, that 5% (if you are lucky) rate of return is wiped out by management fees and inflation. You could do better with craigslist arbitrage. Invest in ideas and businesses.
31. All we are taught in schools, and all we see in the media (news, films, books, magazines, Internet) has a worldview that we’re meant to conform to. Figure out what that worldview is, and question it.
True.
32. Learn the art of empathy.
True. A powerful tool to help you command the weak. =)
33. Do less. Most people try to do too much. They fill life with checklists, and try to crank out tasks as if they were widget machines. Throw out the checklists and just figure out what’s important. Stop being a machine and focus on what you love. Do it lovingly.
True. Focus. Do stuff you do well. Do stuff you love doing.
34. No one knows what they’re doing as parents.
False. Some parents have really got it together.
35. Love comes in many flavors.
It is as you say. I love my wife, second wife and my mistress in very different, yet equal ways. =)
36. Life is exceedingly brief. You might feel like there’s a huge mass of time ahead of you, but it passes much faster than you think.
True.
37. Fear will try to stop you.
Fear is the mind killer.
38. I have a lot left to learn.
True. Me too.