36 for 36- Things I've Learned Through 36 Years of Being on Earth (1-8)

The age of 36 is an interesting time in life. You aren't old enough to start thinking about stuff like retirement and college for the kids, but you've done a lot of living on a lot of levels (emotional, professional, physical.) You aren't interested in the things that we consider older people to be interested in. You may not even feel that old, but you definetly can't hit a club and party all night (every weekend.) And you think more about the past and your legacy.There are also a lot of lessons. Below are the first eight of the 36 most important things I've learned over the 36 years I've been on this earth.  It will be a four-part series of blog posts. Some of these things you've heard before, some things are unique to my experience. All will be through the lens of my life and all will be brutally honest. 1. Never be afraid to standout- At times, I didn't want to run the risk of people laughing and snickering at me. That fear kept me painting the edge of big things and fun things while others just made it happen (i.e. travel, fun adventures, starting businesses, being with attractive women). If you don't standout, you will get whatever you get in life. That which is within the reach of the life that you or your parents or your circumstances set for your life. If it's good, life is good. If it sucks, then your life sucks. Keep in mind, the people snickering are jealous that they didn't have the courage to do what you were willing to do.2. Get involved in Everything in High School and College- At no other point in life will so many positive learning experiences be so accessible to you. Diverse people, travel, opportunities to gain new skills, the ability to be mentored, they are all within reach during this time period. Especially in college. You want to travel abroad, do a service learning trip. You want to learn radio, join the local station. It's all there. Try being an intern at 28 (been there, done that). It's not impossible, but it's much harder. There are more things to consider, barriers to overcome.3. Learn financial responsibility as early as possible- I've definetely learned this the hard way. Teaching your kids financial responsibility is like to teaching them to brush their teeth. It's vital to their well being. The longer you wait, the more subseptible you are to credit card debit, poor money planning and bad decisions like poorly thought investments and student loans. Thankfully, this is a skill you can learn at any age (I'm learning it now), but the pain you go through beforehand can sometimes be irreversibile.4. Never take a loan for anything- Some will think this is crazy, while some will feel me on it. When you really think about it, there is nothing that you can get with a loan that can't be got through a less financially-enduring means. Education can be gained through going to state colleges and taking courses over time, cars can bought through saving money, houses can be rented, companies can be built from the ground up. Yes, it takes much longer and that house and car will not likely be new. However, your debt will be lower, as well as your stress.5. Do everything before you get married, then do everything before you have kids- Each person that you add to your life, unfortunately make you have to work harder to have an active life. Not impossible, just harder. So go travel, take jobs in far off places and get wild and crazy. Do it now!6. Accountability is a powerful force for good and evil- Accountability is amazing. It can push you to a chmpionship or lead to a mob mentality. If you want to use it to achieve your goals, tell people about those goals. And most importantly, find like-minded people. They don't have to want what you want, but there goals needed to be at a similar or higher level or they will only hold you back. Also, if you want to change your lifestyle, you mus find the people who live the life you want to live. They are really the only ones that can make the life you want make sense and feel attainable.7. Stand up to Everyone- It's kinda like "not being afraid to standout" but this is more directed towards dealing with people. This is not meant to say that you should be billigerent, it's meant to say that you should establish a respetful relationship with each person you encounter. At times, it can be friendly. At times you have to assert your knowledge. At times you have to be forceful. Don't be afraid of that. Sometimes these encounters are uncomfortable but, invariably, people respect you more when they are certain that they can't push you around.8. You best friends are the ones that need you as much as you need them- Bibilically speaking, it's called "being evenly yoked," the idea of being in a similar place with your circle of friends. This has been a truism throughout my life. What it means is your best friends will need your friendship, time, companionship, etc. as much as you need there's. I've known great people who had lots of friends, me included, that I was never super close with. Inversly, I've had people who stood for what I stood for, enjoyed what I enjoyed and was in a place where they were motivated to spend quality time with me that became best freinds with me.Johnny also blogs at http://www.financial-lessons.net/.