9 Misleading Thoughts That Keep Us from Living Our Best Life

We grow up thinking the world works in certain ways but what we’ve been led to believe are mostly lies.

So many of the ideas we’ve come to rely upon are simply not true. 

The unfortunate part of the story is that it takes a lot of life experience to figure it out.

Probably our biggest misconception is that of our parents, particularly dads. When we’re young, we think they’re superheroes, but as we age, the cracks in the armor begin appearing. For a time, we fault them for not being perfect.

We criticize and often hold their failings against them until one day we become parents and see how hard it is. Then we finally realize that our dad is a regular guy with flaws, just like every human, and did the best he could for his family, as you’re trying to do.

What are some other ideas we wish we knew were lies when we were younger?

Life is a zero-sum game

This idea likely stems from playing competitive sports as kids. Back then, every game had a winner and a loser (not so much today). We thought that in order to succeed, we had to beat the other guy.

While this is true in some instances, life is primarily “a rising tide lifts all boats” kind of world. When we celebrate everyone’s wins, we start winning more.

Hard work is overrated

This statement has become a popular trope over the last decade. While it makes for a great self-help book title, it’s not reality.

Of course, what you do is more important than how hard you work, but anyone who’s achieved anything of significance worked hard to get it.

Money buys happiness

Once you meet your basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing, the ratio of money to happiness begins to dwindle. People are beginning to realize that money isn’t the only form of wealth in the world.

Since the early days of the pandemic, the wealth of time and freedom has been outpacing money in the happiness department. Other forms of happiness include mental and physical health along with personal relationships.

Great people run the world

Without getting into politics, it’s no secret that remarkable people do not run the world. Leading a country or a company is more often an ego-driven popularity contest than a search for the best and brightest.

Men or women intelligent enough to lead are usually smart enough to know they don’t want to.

Listen to all available advice

Let’s be honest. Most advice is simply another person’s opinion and not factual information.

How many people who never had their own business would advise you that starting a business is a terrible idea? They’ll even make up some crazy statistic that 99% of all new businesses fail to prove their point.

If everyone listened to the advice of the masses, we’d have no Apple, Google, Amazon, or even a light bulb. Progress comes when people ignore the advice of others and keep going.

Change happens without effort

Change may be inevitable, but positive change requires intentional effort.

Too many people sit around waiting for things to happen instead of taking charge of their lives.

Magical transformations only happen in the movies. If you want something, you need to go get it.

Your friends will always be there for you

How many friends do you still have from high school, college, or your first job?

Ask yourself, “What percentage of those people are actual friends and not merely acquaintances today?”

Most of us have an inner circle of true friends. These people are there for you when you have nothing to offer in return. They are the only ones you can trust. Other people come and go from our lives.

Few people have anything to offer

While not everyone is your friend, learning from anybody is possible.

The beggar on the street has wisdom. A child has curiosity. The guy you think is a loser has insight that maybe you fail to consider. Every person in this world has something to offer. We just need to look for it.

It’s too late

We’re never too old to learn, invest, go to the gym, date, etc.

As the ancient Chinese proverb says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.

Never assume you know better just because you are older.

In today’s world, people who can’t unlearn fast are burdened by their own experiences.

 

Take care, even down there.

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