25 Things I’ve Learned in 25 Years

It’s Wednesday, November 29, 2017. The time is 00:00am.
A mere 3 hours from now (3:10am to be exact) was the moment that I was brought into this world, 25 years ago. How time flies…

Now mind you, this is not going to be some motivational shpiel about how you should “seize” your 20’s, “grind” in your 30’s, and “shine” in your 40’s, but rather, some observations that I have made up to this point of my life.

Enjoy.

1. Lift lots of weights, often.
Kind of ironic that I start off with this, but a lean, muscular and well-defined physique is a game-changer at all points of your life. It’s crucial that you start weight training at a reasonable age, while your hormones are still raging and energy levels are at the highest they will be in your life. It will be much easier to get in shape at 20 and maintain it in your forties, as opposed to stepping in the gym for the first time at 40 years young.

2. Play the field.
We live in the digital age of instant gratification, where your sex life is determined on whether someone’s thumbs swipe left, or right. Finally getting some consistent action should not be an indicator to settle down. Learn about different people, different cultures, and in the process, you will learn more about yourself. The best time to do this is when you are free, young and single.

3. Do drugs.
I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out. There is logic to my madness. Drugs allow us to experience things in a different way (which may not necessarily be a bad thing, it’s just different) and personally, I would rather be the parent that knows what’s out there, as opposed to being the Dad that my kids can pull a “quick one” on.

4. Learn an instrument.
Don’t be that 40 year old that used to play (insert instrument name here). Not only is it great for your cognitive functions, but you will also blow people away if you can re-create timeless and powerful compositions on any instrument. Which instrument, is not anywhere as important as an instrument. Except for the Tuba, that shit’s heavy.

5. Learn a new language.
Akin to #4, what specific language does not matter so much as a language. Travelling to foreign lands and being able to speak the language of the locals will open you up to unimaginable opportunities.

6. Read, everyday.
Leave no genre unexplored. Not only will your vocabulary expand, but the social circles that you have access to will also be broadened, giving your personality layers and depth.

7. The answer to every problem, is action.
It really is that simple. Do the best that you can, with the tools that you have, and as the tools improve, so will your best. Whether it’s getting in shape, paying off that VISA, studying for that exam. Take. More. Action.

8. Deadlift 500lbs.
With a bit of technique training and core bracing, a 405lb deadlift is achievable for most people. But the real beauty in strength training lies in unleashing the primal force within you that a 500lb+ deadlift requires.

9. Cut out sugar.
Cut out this sweet sin and enjoy stable insulin levels, less bloat, and better performance.

10. Don’t play video games, but don’t suck at them either.
This is a delicate art of investing time & time consumption. No one wants the guy who sucks at Call of Duty on their team when the boys get together for a BBQ. Don’t be that guy.

11. Listen more than you speak.
You have two ears and one mouth for a reason.

12. Fuck motivation, what you need is discipline.
Make your flesh obey your spirit. You will not be happy the other way around.

13. Don’t increase the limit on your VISA.
It’s not a step in the right direction towards adulthood, nor is it free money. You’re just going to end up buying stupid shit that you don’t need.

14. Stop asking people for approval.
9.9 times out of 10 the advice will be a projection of what they would do in that situation, not what is best for you. Go fail on your own, and be proud doing it.

15. Learn how to do laundry.
Remember, there is a machine for washing, and a machine for drying.

16. Improve your argument, not the volume of your voice.
You don’t need your voice to be heard.

17. Do some scary shit.
If you’re scared of heights, go sky diving. Scared of spiders, buy a tarantula. Me? I’m still waiting for the day when I get courageous enough to eat a tomato.

18. Skip the small-talk.
No one wants to be asked what school they go to, or what show is trending on Netflix, especially on a first date. Rule of thumb is: ask questions you want to know the answer to.

19. You are who you surround yourself with.
Your closest friends are a direct reflection of you.

20. Write stuff down.
Ideas, thoughts, notes, to-do lists, and everything else that races through your mind, should be written out in full, so that thought can be revisited at a later time.

21. Stretch, and make it hurt.
I’m not talking about rolling around on a yoga ball while texting. Get yourself a foam roller, a lacrosse ball, a mobility band, and get to work on releasing the connective tissue around your muscles.

22. Unplug.
From everything. No phone, no internet, no music, no stimulants, no friends. Sit in absolute silence with your thoughts for a week. You may uncover some things about yourself that have been hiding behind all the noise your mind has been making.

23. Drink lots of water.
Buy a gallon jug, carry it around as a fashion statement, and hit your 4L daily quota of h2o. Your skin, joints, organs will thank you.

24. Listen to weird shit.
About half of these views are probably mine.

25. The meaning of life.
At the end of the day, we are just monkeys on a floating rock, spinning around a bigger, and brighter (not to mention millions of degrees hotter) rock. Nothing we do in this lifetime will have any grand meaning in the bigger picture of the universe, and as depressing as that thought is, it is very liberating.

The meaning of life is to solve problems, that you enjoy solving.

Do shit that you like, often, and solve the problems that will allow you to do the shit that you like to do, more often. Repeat until death.

The End.

Speak soon,
Apex