16 Truths from 32 Years of Life
Context: Before our Harvard 10-year reunion, we were asked to share what we'd like classmates to know about our lives since our last reunion — focusing on what we learned from our careers, travels, and life experiences rather than simply listing accomplishments. Here’s what I shared:
I want to share these 16 personal philosophies for public accountability to future Eddy as well as for those who may have been on a parallel 10 year journey since graduating:
Happiness = Reality - Expectations
...but happiness is not a destination, it's a direction since your reality and expectations are ever changing
Money doesn't buy happiness, but it does buy convenience, freedom, and a reduction of suffering
Success is simple, but not easy. To be successful, you don't have to be special. You just have to be what most people are not: consistent and persistent
To beat imposter syndrome, add "yet" to your self-doubt (e.g., "I can’t run a marathon...yet")
In relationships, career or personal development: the grass is not greener on the other side, it's greener where you water it
Compete externally and you compare. Compete internally and you improve.
Discipline = Knowing What You Really Want + Being Willing to Pay the Cost
Confidence is built by competence and not praise
Whatever you're not changing, you're actively choosing
Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional
Personality = Sum(Your Quirks)
Emotions are seasonal, your resilience is perennial
People all have 2 innate fears: i) Losing what we have and ii) Not getting what we want
Success and failure are generated by the exact same personality engine (e.g., a leader’s conviction that builds a vision is the same ego that ignores a warning)
The world is changed by your example, not your opinion
Class of 2015 - Congratulations on your success, but even more importantly, your failures and mistakes!
Your friend,
Eddy Lee
