Last weekend, I received a call from the staff at Salon Posta that a 16-year-old is visiting from Tennessee to get his haircut. His father drove him down, and once they arrived, I snuck into the salon to surprise him. The experience with Jackson was amazing, but the conversation I had with his father afterward got me choked up. His father said that his son looks up to me and respects, perhaps a little more than him. This really got me. It also inspired me to talk about some things I wish I knew at Jackson’s age — life lessons that I wish my dad taught me.
Life rules to live by
- Everyone deserves respect regardless of their social status — we are all one or two bad decisions from being broke, homeless, or in jail. Not everyone has the same opportunities, so never look down on anyone or treat anyone poorly because of their social status or what they do for a living.
- Go for women that are out of your league — it may surprise you what you get.
- Big rewards come from those that take big risks — the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward, whether finances, career, or women.
- If you are the smartest guy in the room, you’re in the wrong room — surround yourself with people that are smarter, more successful, and better than you for you to achieve more.
- Luck favors the prepared — if you expect to get lucky, you better do your homework and know your sh!t because it’s not luck. It’s that you’re prepared, which goes for literally every aspect of your life (aka job, relationship, profession, finances, sports).
- When you meet somebody, stand to shake their hand — check out my demonstrations, especially the one to take it next level. Send subliminal messages that you are engaged, you enjoyed meeting them, and they are special.
- Never lend your friends or family money — if they need it and you can afford it, give it to them. But, nothing will ruin a relationship faster than when money is involved.
- Just because someone is family doesn’t mean you need to love or respect them — if you have a family member that is a piece sh!t, you do not owe it to them to love or respect them. Just because they are a family member doesn’t mean they have the right to be a horrible person.
- Don’t change to make anyone happy –– unless that somebody is you. Trying to fundamentally change who you are to make someone else happy is a recipe for disaster.
- Never hit anyone unless you’re in physical danger — nobody wins in a fight. If you’re getting into fistfights, you better analyze your life, the situations you’re getting yourself into, and your friends.
- Every man looks sexy in a well-tailored suit — it’s like slipping on a coat of confidence. You will look more confident, you’ll be friendlier, and you will have more opportunities because when a suit fits you flawlessly, you feel sexy.
