What advice would you give to someone that is half of your age or is going through a stage that you’ve gone through?

I bet you would have one or two things to say to them or wish someone 2 or 3 times your age could give you some life lesson advice, their regrets and what they wish they were told when they were your age or younger.

Why do we like hearing other people’s stories? Well, its because as humans, we learn from experiences, either of experiences of our own or of others.

So, to be honest, I was feeling a little bit low today (even though its Monday) and I decided to dig deep into words of wisdom from “old people” on the internet.

What I found is a goldmine – A thread on Reddit where 60+ olds gave their words of wisdom, life lessons and advice to “young people”

These advice are exact words from people, nothing has been added or deleted. Enjoy!

14 advice from 60+ year old people to younger people on life and more.

#1. If I Knew I Would Live This Long.

An 83years old Grandpa told his grandson these 3 words:

“If I knew I was gonna live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.”
“The right job is the job you love some days and can tolerate most days and still pays the bills. Almost nobody has a job they love every day.”
“My family is the only thing I care about anymore. Remember that”

#2. Don’t Fall Into The Credit Trap…

Don’t fall into the credit trap. Live within your means. I know two kinds of people; those who save for things that they want and then pay cash, and those who buy on credit and pay interest on top of the purchase price. Once you start doing this it can quickly become impossible to change the pattern. All of your extra income goes to paying the credit cards/car payment/etc. and you can no longer put any money in savings. Then when you need (or want) to buy something, you have to do it with credit. Add a sudden large expense such as a medical bill, and you may never escape the pattern.

Take care of your health and your finances. Start eating better and exercising regularly. If you put on weight now, it will be much harder to loose it later. And if you get into the habit of eating a very high calorie diet, you’ll probably continue that diet as your metabolism slows down and you’ll put on the weight then.

#3. A Stitch In Time Saves 9

Well, as the old saying goes: a stitch in time saves nine.

Those weeds in the front garden? Pull them out now, or in a few months there’ll be ten times as many of them and they’ll be five times as tall. And next year they’ll be bushes with roots that are a real pain to get out. (Personal experience)

The flaking paint on that window-frame? Paint it now, or it’ll rot and be far more work to fix. (Personal experience).
That nasty sound when the car-wheel hits a bump? If you don’t fix it and the suspension breaks when you hit a pot-hole on the motorway, you’ll be stranded there with a forty-tonner bearing down on you. (Fortunately not personal experience – I’d learned something by then.)

#4. Books, Books, Books…

Books.

All the cliches apply (sunblock, flossing, travel). But don’t stop reading books, lots and lots and lots of books. Crappy ones, disturbing ones, difficult ones, fun ones. You can only live your one tiny life, but with books, you can live thousands more.

#5. Know Those That “Matter”…

The most important person in your life is the person who agreed to share their life with you. Treat them as such.

Children grow up way too fast. Make the most of the time you have with them.

A friend will come running if you call them at 2am; everyone else is an acquiaintance.

Your job provides the means to do what’s really important in life, nothing more. Do the job but live for your family.

#6. Time Flies in The Blink of an Eye…

I’m exactly 60 and agree with what’s been said so far. Especially how fast your children grow up. It’s why grandchildren are so wonderful…I realize it now and appreciate and savor every single minute with them.

I would also say that years go by in the blink of an eye. Don’t marry young. Live your life.

Go places. Do things. If you have the means or not. Pack a bag and go wherever you can afford to go. While you have no dependents, don’t buy stuff. Any stuff. See the world. Look through travel magazines and pick a spot. GO!

If you have a dream of being or doing something that seems impossible, try for it anyway. It will only become more impossible as you age and become responsible for other people.

We have one time on this earth. Don’t wake up and realize that you are 60 years old and haven’t done the things you dreamed about.

#7. Don’t Be So Quick to Judge…

When you meet someone for the first time, realize that you know nothing about them. You see race, gender, age, clothes. Forget it. You know nothing. Those biased assumptions that pop into your head because of the way your brain likes categories, are limiting your life, and others’ lives.

#8. Call More, Text Less…

I would say to appreciate the small things and to be present in the moment. What do I mean?

Well, it seems today like younger people are all about immediate gratification. Instead, why not appreciate every small moment? We don’t get to stay on this crazy/wonderful planet forever and the greatest pleasure can be found in the most mundane of activities. Instead of sending a text, pick up the phone and call someone.

Call your mother. Really, call me.

I know you are busy and have a new girlfriend and an important job, but please, you just have one mother. I promise I won’t ask about children or about your shiksa girlfriend. No, really, as long as you two love each other. Can she cook? I meant to tell you that you looked too thin when I saw you last week.

#9. Well, There’s Alot Here…

Not quite 60 but getting there fast. If you are a US citizen chances are you’ve lived a pretty easy life even if it didn’t feel that way.

In a world of abundance here’s what I’ve learned:

#1. Either have a great partner or don’t have one at all. My spouse has made everything better, and I put her on a pedestal. When nothing seems to be going right, if you’ve got each other, you’ve got everything. Any time I doubted myself she believed in me more than I did.

Thought #2 – Take risks! we think in terms of black and white, the world is gray. It’s really hard to “lose everything” unless you die. If you get fired there’s another job, if you go broke, you can rebuild. If you don’t take risks, (smart risks) you’ll look back and say “I wish I had.”

#3 Blood is thicker than water. Have kids if you can, they are worth the trouble. Protect your family, expect them to protect you.

#4 Your brain thinks you’re 18, your body gets old. Don’t be afraid of going to the doctor, and spend whatever you have on your health. Your spouse, children, family and colleagues need you

#5. Keep your word, even though most people will end up disappointing you with theirs.

#6 Learn to be generous, it feels good.

#7 Never stop learning, seeking more knowledge, – especially now, what you thought would always be a career will be obsolete. If you are planning a career now – do something related to energy, water, or waste and you’ll probably have a job for the rest of your life. I’m sure there are more, but that’s a good start.

#10. Marriage…

Marriage is not 50:50. It is 100:100. Remember that when you wake up and when you go to bed. Every day.

#11. Let’s Talk About Work…

Someone was told me, when I was working ridiculous hours and was stressed beyond reason, something that has really stuck with me. He said:

“Nobody ever dies wishing they had worked more.”

Since that very day, I have tried to get out of work on a more reasonable schedule, saving the crazy crunch hours for when there truly is a crisis at work. I still think it’s important to excel at work, as getting laid off would of course, suck, but I just try to stay very focused and get it done in as few hours as possible. I spend more time with my wife and doing hobbies as a result.

#12. Life is a Bank Account…

Remember that life is like a bank account: You don’t want to spend everything you have right away, but you don’t want to be a miser and save every penny. Yes, you’re only young once, but, with any luck, you’ll also be old at some point. Plan on a career, but don’t let it overcome the rest of your life.

Take care of yourself, but don’t make it an obsession. Focus on your kids, but leave room in your life for yourself. Save enough money so that you’ll have enough for the future and for emergencies, but spend enough now to avoid looking back with regret.

I’ve tried to balance living for the moment with planning for the future, and it’s worked out well. Many of my friends who ignored the future when they were in their 20s and early 30s now bitterly regret it, but many of my friends who did nothing but work and strive during the same period say they have the same level of regret.

#13. Turn Off The Tv…

Collect experiences. I don’t have many regrets, but I do wish I would have travelled more when I was younger.

When you have kids you will be time warping. Spend as much time with your children as you can. Turn off the TV, get away from the computer. You will never understand the impact you have on their lives. Make the most of it.

#14. Happiness Rules All…

Life isn’t serious.

Success or failure mean nothing in the scheme of life’s existence, never mind your life.

If you are fortunate enough to be born into relative wealth, enjoy it. And if you aren’t, do everything in your power to make everyone’s lives better. The only goal we can ever really have as a species is equality of happiness.

Rounding Things Up…

In this episode of #ThePresidentialHustleMotivationMonday, I hope you found this answers from “elders” from around the world helpful and motivating. I surely did and it really put things in perspective for me.

Regardless of your current age, you are still young in the grand scheme of things and I hope you can take one or all of these advices, implement them in your life and become a better version of yourself.