Eight Life Lessons

Rajeev Verma Published on 12th March 2025

Let’s break ‘Eight Life Lessons’ into a detailed explanation with real-life examples:

1. Even when you trust someone, keep some things to yourself.

Explanation: Trust is important, but oversharing can sometimes lead to betrayal or unintended consequences. Even with close friends or family, keeping some personal matters private can protect you from potential harm.

Example: Imagine you get a lucrative job offer but haven’t yet accepted it. If you share this with a colleague who is also vying for the position, they might manipulate the situation to their advantage.

2. If you want to build something worthwhile, be ready for criticism.

Explanation: Any meaningful achievement will attract both praise and criticism. Successful individuals learn to accept constructive criticism while ignoring negativity.

Example: Elon Musk faced immense criticism when launching Tesla and SpaceX, yet he persevered and proved doubters wrong.

3. Your mental health is way more important than your career will ever be.

Explanation: No amount of professional success is worth sacrificing your mental well-being. If a job or environment is toxic, prioritizing your health is essential.

Example: A high-performing software engineer experiences burnout from excessive workload. Instead of pushing through, they decide to take a sabbatical to restore balance.

4. You become an unstoppable force when you realize you can do it alone.

Explanation: While support from others is valuable, self-reliance builds confidence and independence. The moment you stop depending on external validation, you become powerful.

Example: A young entrepreneur initially relies on partnerships but later realizes their own capabilities, launching a successful business independently.

5. Be okay with people not liking you. Most don’t even like themselves.

Explanation: You can’t please everyone, and some people project their insecurities onto others. Focusing on self-acceptance matters more than external approval.

Example: A content creator receives hate comments online but understands that negativity often stems from unhappy individuals rather than their own flaws.

6. Not everything will go according to plan, be ready to adapt.

Explanation: Life is unpredictable, and flexibility is key to overcoming challenges. The ability to pivot when things don’t work out ensures long-term success.

Example: A startup founder launches a product that fails, but instead of giving up, they use customer feedback to improve and relaunch successfully.

7. You can always choose to be happy, no matter what happens in your life. Being sad should never be an option.

Explanation: Happiness is often a mindset rather than a result of circumstances. Choosing gratitude and focusing on positive aspects can transform your outlook.

Example: A person loses their job but instead of falling into despair, they take it as an opportunity to explore a passion project or start freelancing.

8. Don’t waste your time stressing about the things you can’t control.

Explanation: Worrying over uncontrollable situations drains energy without providing solutions. Instead, focus on what you can influence.

Example: A traveler misses their flight due to weather delays. Instead of stressing, they use the extra time to relax, read, or plan alternatives.

Each of these principles encourages a strong mindset, resilience, and a focus on personal growth. By applying them in daily life, one can navigate challenges with confidence and clarity.