09/18/2024
I'm 27 years old today and celebrating in one of my favorite towns in the country.
Stowe, Vermont.
But before I run off into the forest now that I'm finished up with work for the day...
Every year I write an email to share all the biggest life lessons I've learned over my life. And this one is kind of interesting because I've changed quite a few of my life beliefs since last year when I turned 26.
So in honor of turning 27 years old, here are...
27 lessons I've learned in 27 years of life.
1. Most people are good.
Whatever religion, whatever country, whatever social demographic, whatever race, whatever background, whatever profession, most people are still GOOD.
2. Solo travel is the ultimate self development journey.
3. Group travel is the ultimate form of connection.
4. Do things that make people think you're weird.
It's amazing how many life choices we make based on what other people think about us. This is why it's super important to decondition yourself from caring so much about what other people think.
Do pushups in restaurants, sleep in your car, walk around barefoot, laugh absurdly loud in a library, do things that make people look double-take at you.
If you can be ok with being the "outsider", you'll make choices that are actually what YOU want.
5. Therapy helps you get answers, but healing happens inside of YOU when you're alone.
6. I think there's still some crazy fairytale sorta magic still in the world... literally.
Over my last 3+ years on the road I've been woken up by a mermaid, seen golden angels in my review mirror, had an insane UFO fly 100ft over me while I was sitting on a beach, marveled at a flock of "star birds" I have zero explanation for, and stayed in a suuuuuper haunted house that made me more scared than I've probably ever been in my life.
Maybe I'm crazy, but I seriously think there's some wild magic sorta stuff still left in the far reaches of the globe. But whether I'm right or not, it sure is fun to...
7. Be a believer
I hate the term "realist".
The reason why is because reality is determined by what you choose to BELIEVE is possible. So why not practice believing things that are GOOD in the world?
8. You should have a big bed to stretch out in.
I slept in the back of a tiny VW Golf for over 2 years before I got my van. And only now that I've had my van for 9 months am I finally starting to realize how my body is supposed to feel after a good night of sleep.
The little cramps and overuse injuries I got all the time when I was living in my car had A LOT to do with the fact I slept in a curled up ball for years. Now that I can stretch out in my van, my body is healing so much better.
9. Make big purchases.
Too many people are thinking about how to save money by spending as little as possible. It's way better (and more fun) to think about how to purchase more money making power.
Get a new camera, buy experiences, get into rich rooms, and invest in things that make you a better human. It's FUN and makes you more money in the long term.
10. Have a rock bottom plan.
A few days ago my friend Rachel had her truck camper broken into and lost pretty much all her stuff. The Starlink, her chargers, most her electronics, bedding, cash, dishware... almost everything. It got me thinking about what I would do if I lost everything I own. So I made a plan on exactly what I would do if my stuff disappeared and it helped ease my mind because I have a plan to make my comeback.
Have a plan on what to do if your phone, wallet, car, passport, home, and EVERYTHING else disappeared today. Then you'll be ok whenever unfortunate circumstances come your way.
11. Money is not the goal... it's the tool to achieve the goal.
When I started in business I signed up for a mastermind with a man who had a beautiful family and an incredible business. Over the course of about 5 years I watched him build his business to literally making $1 million in a single month. It was ridiculously cool. But despite achieving more financial success than he'd ever dreamed... his relationship success was crumbling.
One of his best friends died after they had a bad argument...
His biggest clients started asking for refunds...
His wife left him and took the kids...
And his dream to move to the United States fell apart.
Now he's living in a relatively small town house trying everything he can to win back his family and get his life back on track.
The lesson out of this story?
Money is NOT the end goal.
It's an amplifier to enhance the things that are important in your life.
Money rocks. Pursue it. Make it. Love it. Spend it.
But remember that money is not the goal. It's tool to help you achieve the goal.
12. People say life isn't fair, but the laws of nature give and take from EVERYONE. The lucky ones are usually just the people who decide to make the best of what they got.
13. It's not about you, it's about the people.
14. Becoming a good leader is SO much different than I thought it would be.
Leadership is not about being the strongest, smartest, or "best".
It's about being the person that holds a vision for the future.
And the best leaders are the people who can communicate and use their vision to give the people around them what they want.
As a little P.S. in this one, the best leaders are ALSO incredible followers and supporters.
15. Have fun. Fun is an energy source that amplifies success. So do something fun.
16. Show up for people.
Book the flight, make the drive, dial the number, send the text. Be there.
17. Let people go.
On the flip side of showing up for people, you gotta realize that sometimes you are NOT what other people want.
Wish those people the best you can, then let them go.
Maybe one day the relationship will change and you'll share a connection again, but you'll never know if you don't let them go today.
18. Go first.
That means be first to stop on the side of the road to help a broken down car. Be the first to jump out of the plane on your skydiving trip. Be the first to show up for the meeting. Be the first to say sorry. Be the first to try something new. Be the first to say no.
Go first.
19. Choose your pleasures carefully.
We all have vices. But we get to choose where we find our pleasures.
Some people drink alcohol and watch p**n...
Some people watch the stars at night and talk with their friends...
Your pleasures are your choice.
So choose pleasures that don't hurt you or the people around you.
20. Have a word/theme of the year.
Every year I choose a word to filter my decisions through.
2021 was the year of adventure.
2022 was the year of community.
2023 was the year of value.
Now 2024 is my year of consistency.
21. Mail people gifts.
I've never been somebody who much cared for gifts on my birthday. I much prefer quality time. But no one is upset when they get a package full of chocolates, note cards, coffee mugs, whatever. Send it.
22. Family is earned. Not given.
23. Intentions > Goals.
The late and great Korby Waters taught me this.
When you set goals, don't be so fixed on the outcome that you miss something better coming along.
That's why I don't set new years goals, I set new years intentions.
That way I keep my eyes open for something even better to replace what I want.
24. The most universal currency on Earth is a good story. So get lots of them.
25. Be a spotlight.
At the end of the day, people don't care about how much money you have, how many people follow you on social media, or who else you know.
People care about how you make them FEEL.
And you have the ability to help other people shine.
Oftentimes it's better to be the spotlight rather than the person on stage.
26. Carry a journal.
I heard once that good writing is special because it can carry emotions, thoughts, and values through an infinite amount of time and space. So if you physically write down your thoughts in your great moments, they will live on forever.
27. Romantic relationships aren't made with the most amazing people, they're made with the right people.
This is a new lesson from my friend Tiana Asperjan I'm still trying to wrap my head around.
In the past I've looked for my girlfriends to be the most AMAZING people I meet.
But just because someone is the most beautiful, the most athletic, the most followed, the richest, the funniest, or the most inspiring DOES NOT mean they are the best romantic partner.
Romantic relationships are better when you search for the people that match what you need.
This is the part that's still confusing to me because maybe I don't know exactly what I need yet. But I think there's a lot of wisdom in this lesson.
I'll let you know how I've done on this one when I turn 28 😉
- Jake "27 years old" Blue
P.S.
My new birthday present to myself 👇
