9 Timeless Life Lessons Learned from 9 Diverse Writers and Thinkers Across Generations

1. Marcus Aurelius

1.1. “It is not death a man should fear, but he should fear never having beginning to live.”

1.2. Make the most of your time in this world. See it as a deeper YOLO (you only live once).

1.3. Improve yourself first so you can improve the lives of others.

2. Lao Tzu

2.1. “If you want to know me, look inside your heart.”

2.2. When you start judging people because they are different, you close yourself to who the other person really is.

2.3. Learn from each and everyone, no matter the race, religion, sexual orientation, background, looks, etc.

3. Napoleon Hill

3.1. “You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct and control your own environment. You can make your life what you want it to be.”

3.2. Realize that your limitations are nothing more than a projection of your limiting beliefs

3.3. Then you can accomplish much more than you ever thought you could.

4. Sam Walton

4.1. “There is only one boss; the customer. […]”

4.2. Always do your best for others. Doing good is one of the most satisfying things you can do for your own happiness.

5. Arnold Schwarzenegger

5.1. “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”

5.2. Never give up, especially when things are hard.

5.3. The strength you get from going over hardships is what defines a good part of your success in life.

6. Jim Rohn

6.1. “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

6.2. Always surround yourself with the right people because the people around you truly shape who you become.

6.3. Find like-minded positive people that elevate and push you to be the best you can be.

7. Arianna Huffington

7.1. “[…]You have to do what you dream of doing even while you’re afraid.”

7.2. Never give up on your dreams. Persevere.

8. Brendon Burchard

8.1. “Perhaps the world isn’t giving you what you want because based on all your distractions and lack of discipline it’s simply unclear what you are asking for.”

8.2. Live with intention. Have a greater purpose.

8.3. Ask yourself “why do you do what you do?”.

8.4. Chances are if you’re not getting what you want in life, it’s because your actions and intentions don’t match.

8.5. Either change your actions or your intentions. Or both.

9. Zdravko Cvijetic

9.1. “Every morning you wake up, you should focus on the day ahead of you, to take action towards your goal(s), and achieve incremental progress.”

9.2. Don't just think big; act big. Make the most out of the 24 hours you have

9.3. Break everything down. Baby steps.

10. Conclusion

10.1. Reflect on each of these and realize what you do well and what you do wrong in each of them.