Today is my 38th Birthday.

I’m sitting in the gazebo of our Costa Rican Beach/Jungle House (our home for the next 28 days) as Mikey, my 7 year old daughter, counts the grey hairs on my head.

Nice.

This is the first birthday that I’m spending in temperatures above freezing. ?Growing up, we never went away in January and during my high school years my birthday was always during exams.

To be homeschooling the kids and running an online business that gives me the freedom to travel and live wherever we want is a true blessing. ?So if there’s anything I’m thankful for, it’s the ability to be able to experience this with the 6 most important people in my life.

Yesterday Cruz, the groundskeeper here at the house we’re staying at in Costa Rica, went out and picked about 50 young coconuts and cut the tops off them and then put the coconut water in pitchers for us to drink throughout the week.

I’m finding it a little difficult to believe that I’m 38 maybe because I still feel and think like I’m 23.

Or, I could just be in denial.

This past year has been transformational in my life. A lot of it having to do with really understanding my place in this world and what I’m here to do.

So with that, here are 38 lessons that I’ve learned over my past 38 years of existence.

I write these with hope that you’ll get at least ONE little gem out of it that could be transformational to you…

38 Years, 38 Lessons.

1. Nothing beats doing business with friends.

Most of the people that I do business with are my nearest and dearest friends. ?I know people say that, but these are people who I would trust my own children with (and who have met my children) from?Geoff Neupert, Mike Whitfield, Brad Pilon, Funk Roberts, Eric Wong, Adam Steer, Dave Ruel, Vince Delmonte and Yuri Elkaim to Zion, the guy that owns the best coffee shop in the city to Kevin my partner with whom I share an office and a common vision. ?I am truly blessed.

2. Have a Mission.

It’s one thing to be motivated by the external like your bottom line or even your family. But having a clear and distinct purpose on why you were put on this earth will guide you and motivate you to the ultimate success.

3. Serve others.

My entire mission in life is to serve others and to help them get what they want. It’s a lot easier and more fulfilling than being selfish.

4. Cutting your expenses in half…

will reduce stress significantly. Cutting them in half again will make you rich.

5. Be clear of what you want vs what you actually need.

We all need healthy food, shelter & love. iPhones and expensive clothes are “wants” and will drain your soul.

“It’s not the daily increase, but the daily DECREASE. Hack away at the unessential.”
-Bruce Lee

6. Get rid of more stuff.

Living here in the jungle by the beach for the past few days I’ve rotated between the same 3 t-shirts, 2 pairs of board shorts and have worn flip flops everyday. Granted if you live in a colder climate you may need more clothing, but it’s clearly not as much as most of us hoard in our closets.

7. Go for a walk everyday.

Not only will this help you burn fat, but the motion of walking nourishes the brain and relieves stress.

8. Spend more time in nature.

You can combine this lesson with the one above. ?Thanks to my beautiful wife for reminding me of this.

9. Take naps

…especially after training to enhance recovery.

10. Get 8 hours of sleep every night.

11. Drink lots of water.

Half your bodyweight in ounces is a good start.

12. Add a pinch of Himalayan sea salt to your water to help with absorption and to give you essential minerals.

13. Put collagen in your coffee

so you don’t end up looking like an old leather bag when you’re 40.

14. Don’t eat for a 24-hour period once per week to give your body a break.

15. If you don’t eat vegetables on the regular, supplement with a Greens Powder everyday.

16. Call your mom at least once a week.

17. Talk less, be a good listener.

That way when you do decide to say something it will have more impact.

18. Be a man and pick up the cheque.

19. Eat your steak rare and have more sashimi.

Your body can assimilate it better.

20. Drink Espresso

(or at least drink your coffee black). You can taste it better.

21. Take pen to paper and write in a journal everyday.

Go back and read what you wrote every 6 weeks.

22. Write your goals down everyday.

Believe that you will achieve them and then take action towards them.

23. Write down the 8 things you are thankful for every day.

This will dramatically improve the quality of your life.

24. Have an “anchor”.

Something to tell you that it’s time to sit down and get to work. For me it’s my UNC Tarheels Hoodie. When that thing comes on, it’s time for me to get down to business and write. (Thanks to my bro Eric Wong for this idea).

25. Sweat everyday

– use your KBs, sprint, do some chin-ups or push-ups, jump rope. We were meant to move so get out there and make it a habit.

26. Do OS Resets everyday

to improve the quality of your movement.

27. Read everyday

…Read something that will motivate you or will help you reach your goals for at least 30 minutes everyday. Read 15-30 minutes of fiction before you go to bed to settle your mind.

28. Turn your iPhone off after 5pm.

Shutdown and be with your family.

29. Introduce yourself to someone new every week.

30. Eat a cup of broccoli everyday.

Cruciferous vegetables help keep estrogen low and testosterone high.

31. Meditate.

Disconnect and work on being completely present. ?This will help with focus and will allow you to be both a better business person and a better husband/father.

32. Surround yourself with like-minded people that will motivate you and keep you at your best.

Get rid of energy sucking downers.

33. Find a coach or a mentor.

No man can do it alone. Then, pay it forward by coaching/mentoring someone else.

34. Don’t be afraid to ask for help ?and let people help you.

Swallow your pride and allow them to fulfill their purpose by serving you.

35. Marry someone that makes you laugh…even if it’s at your own expense.

36. Travel more.

Get absorbed into other cultures. Realize that you’re just a tiny?piece of a bigger plan.

37. Don’t freak out if you miss a workout.

I used to be obsessed with this. ?Now it’s all good.

38. Find God.

Or the Universe. ?Or the Bigger Picture. ?Just realize that the world does NOT revolve around you.