Episode 131: 30 Life Lessons I’ve Learned in 30 Years – It’s My Birthday!

Full Episode Transcription:

(00:07):
You guys! I turn 30 this week and I am super excited to be sharing with you guys 30 life lessons that I’ve learned in my 30 years here on this episode of the Ditch the Classroom podcast. So y’all are probably gonna want a notebook and a pen for this, and I just pray that these lessons bless you and that maybe you can take some of these lessons and implement them into your own life or your virtual assistant business. So we’re just gonna go ahead and dive into them.

(01:48):
Number one is that Jesus is everything. He is everything you need. Number two is that some friendships are for a lifetime and some are just for a season. So if you’re feeling like you know there is a friendship that’s weighing you down, it’s okay to bless and release that person and just know that they were meant to impact your life for just a short time and maybe God will bring them back into your life in the future. Number three is that motherhood is the hardest and best thing that I’ve ever done in my life. It challenges me every day. It pushes me. Sometimes I feel like I wanna rip my hair out and then just kiss my kids all over in the span of 30 seconds. They’re wild. Number four is communication is an essential part of all relationships. Don’t keep things bottled up. I used to do this all the time, but now I know like if there’s an issue, put it out there, get it resolved. Don’t let things build up internally because then you’re just going to explode. Number five is to try not to criticize your spouse and your kids and instead focus on their strengths. You wanna be speaking life and love into those that you love so much. So try to reduce the criticisms. Number six is that systems and routines are the key to unlocking insane levels of productivity. This is what allows me to get so much done. Setting up systems and routines just makes things flow really effortlessly and you don’t even really have to think about it once you get into the routine of doing it consistently. Number seven is that releasing control to God is a lot easier than trying to control things myself. This seems counterproductive or counterintuitive, but it has made all of the difference in my life to let just, just let God take the reins. He’s got the best plan for me, and if I’m fighting and pulling against what he wants, like it’s just making my life harder. So that’s a big one.

(04:05):
Number eight is if God has placed a dream on your heart, it’s there for a reason. He doesn’t give you dreams just to like tease you. It’s there for you to go after if you have the faith to do so. Number nine is that God does not calls the qualified. He qualifies – I can’t say that – he qualifies the called. Number 10, God can use you and wants to use you, but he’s waiting for your yes. He wants to know that you’re willing to follow him. Number 11 is that growth is always hard until it’s not. Every single thing you will ever do in your life is hard until you work at it. Number 12 is to invest in yourself spiritually, physically, emotionally, in your business.

(04:59):
Guys, investing in yourself changes the game because you’ve got skin in the game. You’ve got just more desire to pursue whatever you’ve invested in and it’s just gonna help you go to the next level. Number 13 is that marriage is not always 50 -0, sometimes it might be 80-20. Supporting your spouse when they’re in a time of struggle is such a gift that you can give them and they’re gonna do the same for you when you need it. So just remember that it’s not always gonna be half-and-half, but it’s worth it in the end. Number 14, God does not give us the whole roadmap. Sometimes he just wants you to take that next step of faith and trust in him. Number 15, nothing is too big or too impossible for God. Number 16, this is a big one I’ve been trying to learn this year – rest is not laziness. You need to rest your body, rest your mind, rest your soul. You don’t need to be going 24/7. Number 17 is that there’s no reason to get worked up about other people’s choices. Let them do what they wanna do and just focus on what you can do. Number 18, going against the grain can completely change your life in health, just living in general in your career. You don’t have to follow what everybody else is doing and actually the way to live the best life is to go against what the world is doing because we all know the world is not of God right now. Number 19, God loves you so much. The end. Number 20, no is a complete sentence. You don’t have to give a reason.

(06:50):
All right, 10 more. Number 21, self care is not selfish. You need to fill up your cup so you can pour into others. You have to fill yourself up first because you can’t pour into others. If you’re running on empty. Number 22, it’s totally okay to ask for help. You don’t need to be a martyr. Ask for people’s help for things. Number 23 is pay attention to the little moments because those are what really truly matter. Number 24 is that it’s okay to be proud of yourself. Give yourself a little pat on the back sometimes. I mean, you don’t have to go around bragging, but be proud of the work that you’re doing in your life, in your business, everything in your motherhood. Be proud of yourself. Number 25 is don’t bother seeking approval from others. Number 26, you can either make changes or make excuses. Which one’s it gonna be. Number 27 is that done is so much better than perfect. Number 28 is that you are not responsible for other people’s happiness.

(07:58):
Number 29 following God is more about the relationship than the rules. This is something I’ve learned a lot in the last few years. He just wants that relationship with you and then the rules will follow. Number 30 is to do what makes you happy. Don’t stay stuck in something that’s not making you happy anymore. Pursue what makes you happy. Pursue what lights you up. Pursue what God created you to do.

(08:26):
All right, so those are my 30 life lessons that I’ve learned in 30 years, and I just hope that this blessed you and I hope that one of these lessons just really touched your heart deeply and or challenged you in some way, and I’d just love to know what your favorite lesson was from today’s episode. So come and share which one you really connected with in our free Facebook group. That’s at facebook.com/groups/ditchtheclassroom, or you can find the link in the show notes.

(08:58):
All right, y’all, I pray that God blesses you. I pray for another healthy 30 years, and I pray that you are blessed in this next year of your life. Thank you so much for being a part of this journey with me, for believing in this mission and for trusting me enough to be your mentor and your friend through this journey into quitting teaching and becoming a virtual assistant. I love you so much. We’ll see you next time.