Lessons from 80 years

I read through a list of lessons Byron Wein learned in his first 80 years and found some that resonated.

"When you meet someone new, treat that person as a friend. Assume he or she is a winner and will become a positive force in your life."

"Evolve. Try to think of your life in phases so you can avoid burnout. Do the numbers crunching in the early phase of your career. Try developing concepts later on. Stay at risk throughout the process."

"Travel extensively. Try to get everywhere before you wear out."

"When meeting someone new, try to find out what formative experience occurred in their lives before they were seventeen"

"Younger people are naturally insecure and tend to overplay their accomplishments. Most people don’t become comfortable with who they are until they’re in their 40’s. By that time they can underplay their achievements and become a nicer, more likeable person."

"Take the time to give those who work for you a pat on the back when they do good work."

"Don’t try to be better than your competitors, try to be different. There is always going to be someone smarter than you, but there may not be someone who is more imaginative."

"When your children are grown or if you have no children, always find someone younger to mentor. It is very satisfying to help someone steer through life’s obstacles, and you’ll be surprised at how much you will learn in the process."

"Every year try doing something you have never done before that is totally out of your comfort zone."

"Never retire. If you work forever, you can live forever. I know there is an abundance of biological evidence against this theory, but I’m going with it anyway."

These are in part lessons he learnt from his own experience.