10 Things I Wish I Remembered When I was 25!

1. When someone shows you who they are - BELIEVE THEM! 
Maya Angelou was bang on when she said this. Everyone you will will meet will show you who they really are many times over. It is up to you to see that and believe that. The friend who is perpetually late will not change her habit, the guy who was demeaning in his words will always be that, the friend who said he was selfish will always be selfish...so stop and listen...and remember...and then don't try to change them or think they will change or expect anything new. Be smart. Watch. Learn. Remember.


2. 20% of your salary should always go into a SAVINGS ACCOUNT
No. You do not NEED those shoes. Every month just think you earn 20% less than your actual income and then put the rest away for a rainy day, a holiday in the Bahamas or just new furniture for your mom's place. But PUT IT AWAY. Anything else that you save, is added bonus. You will be glad you followed this advice my Dad gave me when I started working.

3. Listen More.
It always helps to keep your mouth shut and ears open. Especially at the work place. I haven't been a success at in in my personal life but yeah this advice is for both sides of your life. The more you listen the more to realize and that is always good.

4. Orange Lipstick is not for INDIAN girls.
Don't try it. Trust me. DON'T TRY IT.

5. Show your love to people who deserve it. 
Yes, you should be kind and generous with your affection but not like a saint. You aren't put on this earth to take shit from people who don't deserve your kindness. That doesn't mean you turn into a bitch, it just means that you should know when to STEP BACK and LET GO. Don't EVER expect people to realize their mistakes and CHANGE coz that rarely ever happens. Do your bit but also know when to just STOP.

6. EAT HEALTHY but take a break once in a while

We all deserve an indulgence snack once in a while so don't beat yourself up if you break your dietary routine. All work and no play will make Jill a dull girl. Enjoy a bowl of ice cream with chocolate chips in it, have that extra helping of the cheese casserole but also know when to put your spoon down.

7. Don't take yourself too SERIOUSLY.
Yes, we have to become CXO's by 40 and retire but that doesnt mean that we beat ourselves up every step of the way. You will make mistakes. You will probably lose your job at least once in your entire career. You will have to deal with a HORRID boss some time. Don't kill yourself over it. Relax. Shit happens. Just remind yourself that this too shall pass. Trust me. It will.

8. Read more.Be aware of what's going on around you.
It doesn't matter what you read. Just read. It could be a blog like this one, a news webpage, a marketing book or just a chic-lit by Sophie Kinsella. But read. Start with stuff you like and soon you will be able to move onto stuff you probably aren't too fond of. I hate reading The Economic Times but when I precede it with CNN Money or follow it up with Oprah I find myself more open to clicking that link. I hate Strategy books but I promise myself a trashy murder novel as a treat and guess what the Strategy book actually grows onto me. So read. Be abreast of the world around you.
 
9. Don't sweat the small stuff.
There's a bad jam on the Sea-Link? Listen to your fav song again. Your boyfriend is ignoring you. Give him space. You can't get your mom to stop asking you to get married? Smile. Yeah, it sucks and you wanna scream. I did. Well! The 'small' stuff didn't stop happening. So coming from someone who has had her share of ups and downs...LET IT BE. As Dory from Finding Nemo would say, "Just keep swimming"!

10. Don't chase after anything in a desperate attempt to make it yours.
Work hard. Study Hard. Pray Hard. THEN LET IT GO. Anything in life meant to be yours will ALWAYS be yours. If you have to put yourself through hell to get something (and by hell I don't mean burning the mid-night oil like crazy med students, I mean unnecessary tears, drama and pain) then IT SURE ISN'T gonna be worth it when you have it! Love isn't supposed to hurt (it will be tough but SHOULD NEVER hurt), jobs aren't meant to kill you (yes, you will be expected to work hard but not at the cost of your health, life or family), relationships aren't meant to stress you out (we have enough crap going on around us without people we care about adding to it ALL THE TIME). So DON'T CHASE. Lie down. The butterflies will find you.

So ladies, I wish I had known this when I was 25...or rather followed all of these back then...but now I know and now I follow them. Hope these words help you too as they did me.

Have a lovely Tuesday!