Random Lessons From My 51st Year

I just recently had a birthday, and I thought I’d jot down a few of the things I learned last year, in no particular order. Your mileage and paranoia may vary, of course, but perhaps some of this will make sense, spark something or help you in a time of need. If so, drop me a line on Twitter (@lbhuston) and let me know.

Cupcakes — Yay!

• Simplicity has a high ROI
• Listening without solving problems is a difficult, but essential skill
• Birthdays are meant for beaches
• 3–4 days of no activity is enough for me, and I should plan or schedule breaks accordingly
• Optimizing routines for self care is critical if you want to be a maker or entrepreneur; if you’re broken, you can’t dent the universe
• Space and time alone are important, and OK to give/take
• Work won’t love you or fill that void in your soul
• There is vast beauty in a cappuccino that you didn’t make yourself
• If 80/20 is the key to life, reductionism can save you :: 64/4 and 51/1 are valid in many cases; learning when and how to apply them can be a boon
• Life is a wave function, so learn to see where you are and be ready for the changes coming down the pipe
• Motion is lotion; stop doing something today and you may never be able to do it again :: consider that carefully and stop at your own peril
• Systems over goals every time
• A rubber ball and a walk can solve a lot of problems and are both beautiful things