UCanMakeItIfYouTry – It Won’t Matter In 20 Years
TOP TIPS
Time has a way of putting things into perspective.
Many things you struggle with and worry about now won’t make a difference in 20 years.
Even if it feels like the most important issue in the world, it might just be something you laugh about years from now.
1 – Embarrassing Failures
Even your best-laid plan can blow up in your face but don’t beat yourself up. What may feel embarrassing now will likely be a blip of memory years from now. What you learn about ‘failure’ is more important.
2 – Fantasies About a Perfect Future
There is a difference between striving for a goal and letting perfectionism get in the way. In 20 years, you might laugh at the life you thought you needed. Striving for a picture-perfect future will frustrate you. Go out and live now.
3 – Worry Over Trying Something New
You miss many great experiences when you let worry get in the way. 20 years from now will you remember your worries, or the adventures you missed out on because of them? A better approach is to decide what you want to do, assess if there are dire consequences to acting, and then just do it. Each new adventure builds your confidence levels.
4 – Not Taking Part in Your Community
An online activist does little to help their community. Getting out and partaking in person-to-person activities builds much more than a keyboard ever could. So, after your online rant, get out and get involved.
5 – Being Right All of the Time
Sometimes you need to stand your ground over what you believe is right. But sometimes, it is better to let it go. 20 years from now, will you care who was right about some random factoid? If you must always be right, you run the risk of damaging relationships. Relationships make more impact than having to win an argument.
6 – People Pleasing
Learn to do your best and stop trying to please everyone else. Will you care about what random acquaintances think of you 20 years from now? Winning everyone’s approval makes others happy and leaves you miserable. Instead, live by your personal convictions so that you can peacefully lay your head down at night.
7 – Obsessing Over Your Looks
Your outer beauty fades with age. Your inner beauty is exposed with time. Which do you want people to see? You should take care of yourself, of course, but 20 years from now, you won’t be worried about that bad haircut you got once.
8 – How You Judge or Perceive Others’ Decisions
As you grow older, you will find that your perception of people will change. What might have been strange behavior to you once makes much more sense with an additional 20 years under your belt.
9 – Owning Expensive Possessions
Getting caught up in buying the next shiny object is easy when you are young. In 20 years, these same items might not even exist – let alone matter. Remember, most objects lose their luster, but experiences last a lifetime.
FAST-ACTION STEPS
1 – Use a journal to record some of your most embarrassing mistakes. Write down what happened and what you learned from it.
2 – Build new habits to care for your body that doesn’t just require obsessing over your looks. Opt for healthier eating and exercising.
3 – Find an organization you care about in your community and get involved with it in person, not only online. Develop relationships within your community and make your impact there.
- About the Author
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James Donaldson
Former Owner and Director of The Donaldson Clinic (an outpatient physical therapy clinic)
James completed a 20 year professional basketball career in the spring of 2000. James established The Donaldson Clinic in (January 1990 – 2018) (shortly after a career threatening knee injury) with an idea that he would eventually become a physical therapist.  He is a strong advocate for Women & Minority owned businesses and is very involved with various Chambers of Commerce. He understands what it takes to sustain a strong business environment that is conducive to the success of businesses overall.Â
James is a Washington State University graduate (’79).  After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the N.B.A. with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Utah Jazz.  He also played for several in Spain, Italy and Greece of the European Leagues plus toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an N.B.A. All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac – 10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
He now devotes the majority of his time to various community activities, and toward the Gift of Life Foundation, speaking on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, youth groups and is the author of the published “Standing Above the Crowd” of which you can learn more about at www.standingabovethecrowd.com and is available for sale now.
In 2021, James published Celebrating Your Gift of Life: From the Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy. www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
James is a 40+ year resident of Seattle. He believes in being a role model of success and professionalism for the scores of young people that he devotes so much of his time to. He currently serves on several Boards and/or committees and is a member of many organizations. (Please see complete listing on back)
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win – Win” environment for everyone involved, and being the best he can be! Â
