10 lessons 99 percent of people learn a bit too late in life

Life has a knack for teaching us lessons, most of which we wish we’d learned a bit earlier.

It’s a strange paradox, really. Most of the wisdom we acquire comes after making mistakes, and often, these mistakes could have been avoided if we had this wisdom to begin with.

I’m talking about those ‘Aha’ moments that hit us like a brick, causing us to think, “Why didn’t I realize this sooner?”

In this article, I’ll share 10 lessons that, from my experience, 99 percent of people learn just a tad too late in life.

Let’s get started.

1) Age doesn’t define maturity

We often equate age with wisdom and maturity. It’s a common misconception that with each passing year, we automatically become wiser and more mature.

However, life has taught me that age and maturity don’t always go hand in hand. I’ve seen young people who have remarkable maturity and adults who behave like children.

Age is just a number, a marker of how long you’ve been on this planet. Maturity, on the other hand, is about how you react to situations, how you treat others, and how you handle responsibilities.

Sadly, most people learn this lesson a bit too late in life. And it’s usually when they encounter younger individuals who are far more mature or older folks who haven’t quite grown up.

Maturity isn’t about your age; it’s about your actions. So don’t wait for the wisdom to come with age; strive for it now.

2) You can’t please everyone

Trying to make everyone happy is a fruitless endeavor. I learned this the hard way.

In my younger years, I was a bit of a people-pleaser. I thought that by always saying ‘yes’, by always being agreeable, I could keep everyone around me happy. But all it did was leave me feeling exhausted and unfulfilled.

One day, a good friend pulled me aside and told me, “You’re constantly bending over backward for others, but are you truly happy?”

That question hit me hard. I realized I was so focused on pleasing others that I had forgotten about my own happiness.

From that day forward, I learned to say ‘no’ when necessary and to prioritize my own needs. It wasn’t easy, and not everyone was pleased with the change. But it taught me a valuable lesson: you simply cannot please everyone, and that’s okay.

Sadly, like me, most people learn this lesson a bit too late in life. But once you do, it’s incredibly liberating.

3) Money doesn’t buy happiness

In 2010, a study conducted by Princeton University found a surprising correlation between income and happiness. They discovered that happiness increases with wealth up to an annual income of about $75,000. Beyond that, additional income does little to increase one’s sense of life satisfaction.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Money is important. It allows us to meet our basic needs and can provide comfort and security. But beyond a certain point, it doesn’t contribute significantly to our overall happiness.

Many of us spend our lives chasing after more money, believing it will bring us joy. But the truth is, real happiness lies in the simple things – spending time with loved ones, doing what we’re passionate about, and helping others.

This is one lesson that a staggering 99 percent of people learn a bit too late in life. The good news? It’s never too late to start prioritizing the things that truly matter most.

4) You can’t change the past, but you can shape the future

It’s easy to get stuck in the past, replaying old mistakes or missed opportunities. But the reality is, we cannot change what has already happened.

I’ve seen so many people trapped in a cycle of regret, unable to move forward because they’re too focused on what’s behind them. And I’ll be honest, I’ve been there too.

The truth is, dwelling on the past can’t change it. What we can control is how we react to the past and how we shape our future.

This means learning from our mistakes rather than dwelling on them, and using our experiences to grow and improve.

Unfortunately, this is one lesson that many of us learn a bit too late in life. But once you do, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the future.

5) Failure is not the end, but a beginning

Failure can be tough to swallow. It stings, it disappoints, and it can knock us down. But it’s also one of life’s greatest teachers.

Instead of viewing failure as a dead end, we should see it as a stepping stone towards success. Each failure brings with it a valuable lesson, an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve.

Take Thomas Edison for example. He famously failed 1,000 times before successfully inventing the light bulb. When asked about his failures, he said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Like Edison, we need to reframe our mindset around failure. It isn’t a sign of incompetence but rather a sign of progress.

Regrettably, this is a lesson many of us learn late in life. But once we do, it becomes easier to dust ourselves off after a fall and try again with renewed determination.

6) It’s okay to ask for help

There’s a common belief in our society that asking for help is a sign of weakness. That it means we’re not competent or strong enough to handle things on our own. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.

We all have moments of vulnerability, times when life becomes overwhelming and we just can’t do it alone. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Asking for help doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. It shows that you understand your limits and that you’re brave enough to reach out to others when you’re struggling.

This is a lesson that can be hard to embrace, particularly for those of us who pride ourselves on being independent. But realizing that it’s okay to ask for help can be truly liberating.

Unfortunately, it’s also a lesson that many of us learn a bit too late in life. But remember, it’s never too late to reach out and ask for the support you need.

7) Health is wealth

In my early twenties, I was all about work. I’d pull long hours, skip meals, and skimp on sleep, all in the name of chasing success. I thought I was invincible and that my health would always be there.

But then, I got a wake-up call. A severe bout of flu left me bedridden for weeks. That’s when it hit me: without good health, all the success in the world means nothing.

Nowadays, I prioritize my health above all else. Regular exercise, balanced meals, adequate sleep – these are non-negotiable for me now.

The sad truth is, many of us don’t realize the importance of good health until it’s compromised. We take it for granted until we no longer have it.

This is a crucial lesson that most people learn a bit too late in life. But it’s never too late to start taking care of your health. After all, as the saying goes, “Health is wealth.”

8) Sometimes, quitting is the best option

We’ve all heard the saying, “Quitters never win.” It’s drummed into us from an early age that giving up is a sign of weakness. That success belongs to those who persevere no matter what.

While there’s truth to the value of resilience, there’s also a time and a place for knowing when to throw in the towel.

Not every battle is worth fighting. Not every job, relationship, or project is worth sticking out till the bitter end. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is accept that something isn’t working and move on.

This isn’t about giving up at the first sign of difficulty. It’s about recognizing when something is draining you more than it’s benefiting you.

This lesson can feel a little backwards, but it’s an important one that many people learn a bit too late in life. Remember, there’s no shame in choosing your battles wisely.

9) Life isn’t a race

In this age of social media, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We see our peers buying houses, getting promotions, or traveling the world, and we feel like we’re falling behind.

But here’s the thing: life isn’t a race. There’s no finish line or set timeline that we need to adhere to.

Everyone has their own path, their own pace, and their own set of circumstances. Just because someone else reached a milestone before you did doesn’t make your achievements any less valuable.

This is a lesson that many of us learn a bit too late in life. We spend so much time trying to keep up with others that we forget to focus on our own journey.

It’s not about who gets there first. It’s about enjoying the journey and making the most of each moment along the way.

10) Happiness is a choice

Often, we fall into the trap of thinking that happiness is a destination. That it’s something we’ll find when we get that perfect job, meet the right person, or reach a certain milestone.

But the truth is, happiness isn’t something we find; it’s something we choose. It’s about making the most of what we have, finding joy in the little things, and choosing to be positive even on the tough days.

Many of us spend our lives chasing after happiness, only to realize that it was within reach all along. We just had to choose it.

This is perhaps the most important lesson that 99 percent of people learn a bit too late in life. But once you do, it can truly change your perspective on life.

Final thoughts: It’s about the journey

When American author Mark Twain famously said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do,” he was encapsulating a profound truth about life and regret.

These lessons that we tend to learn a bit too late in life are often steeped in this realization. Whether it’s understanding that happiness is a choice, recognizing when to quit, or accepting that we can’t please everyone, they all circle back to one central theme: Life is about the journey, not the destination.

As we navigate through this journey, it’s crucial to remember that every step, every stumble, every victory, and every setback, is a part of our unique story. They are lessons learned, wisdom gained and experiences cherished.

So while it’s true that many of us might learn these lessons a little too late, the beauty of life is that every day presents a new opportunity for growth and understanding. It’s never too late to embrace these lessons and allow them to guide us towards a richer, more fulfilling journey.

So here’s to learning, growing, and making the most of this beautiful journey we call life.