Carey Nieuwhof

I don't know Carey Nieuwhof, but one of my friends does, and they sent this to me.  I loved it.  He wrote 57 pieces of unsolicited advice as he turned 57.  Here they are...

Click here to go to his web page

Character

• Bragging is your insecurity leaking out.
• The people closest to you should have the best experience of you, not the worst. Often, the opposite happens.
• Humble is a habit that can be practiced. If you’re not sure what to do, take the low place. Also try admitting you’re wrong and letting others go first.
• Ask more questions than you give answers. Curiosity is a superpower.
• Hold the door open for people. Even if they don’t thank you.
• How you do anything is how you do everything. Faithfulness and attention to detail in the little things always shows up in the big things.
• When someone who cares about you criticizes you, the best response is to simply say, “Thank you.”
• Work twice as hard on your character as you do on your competency.
• Be the first to apologize, even if you weren’t wrong. Because you probably were wrong.
• When you have to deliver a hard message, make sure the other person still leaves with their dignity. Focus on attacking problems, not people.
• Doing what you said you were going to do when said you were going to do it gives you an unbelievable advantage over almost everyone else.
• You are at your most kind when you have the most margin. So unapologetically create more space for your margin in your life.
• Be harder on yourself than you are on others. That doesn’t mean you should be cruel to yourself. It mean you should hold yourself to a higher standard. The lazy way out is to assume everyone else is wrong.
• Talk less about yourself. It’s good for you, and for the person you’re talking to.
• Bragging is your insecurity leaking out.
• Those closest to you see you more accurately than you see yourself. Ask them what they see. 

Routines

• Silence will reveal your greatest griefs and spark your greatest breakthroughs.
• Reading books or long-form articles daily is compound interest for wisdom.
• Becoming a morning person is like beating rush hour. You’ll do more than others are doing and in less time.
• Sleep is a secret leadership weapon.
• If you’re going to sleep in, sleep in on the front side – go to bed an hour earlier.
• If you don’t rest adequately, your body will eventually go on strike.
• To beat a craving, wait ten minutes. It usually goes away.
• You will probably never feel like exercising. Do it anyway.
• Solitude is a gift. Isolation is toxic.
• Silence will reveal your greatest griefs and spark your greatest breakthroughs.
• Don’t litter in your own house. Pick it up. 

Work

• If you’re overwhelmed, clean your desk. That will get you started in the right direction.
• Work isn’t about what you do. It’s about why you do it and who you do it with.
• Writing things down clarifies your thinking.
• Managing your energy will bring you greater rewards than simply managing your time.
• If you’re overwhelmed, clean your desk. That will get you started in the right direction.
• When asking someone with more power than you for a favor, let them off the hook by telling them that whether they say yes or no, you’re still grateful for them.
• Busyness is a choice.
• If you see a problem, don’t leave it until you’ve solved it or taken it to someone who can.
• Rest before your next vacation so you don’t go in tired.
• Finish your emails with something encouraging like “Grateful for you” or “Thanks so much.” It makes a bigger difference than you think.

Money

• Generosity gives back. You never miss the money you give away, and generosity always has a way of coming back to you.
• Personal growth is an investment, not an expense.
• Wealth isn’t about what you have, it’s about who you’re with and what you do with what you have.
• Live under your means and you will eventually have more means.
• People won’t pay for things or give to causes they don’t understand.
• Generosity gives back. You never miss the money you give away, and generosity always has a way of coming back to you.
• Do the preventative maintenance. It pays for itself over and over again in the long run. 

Random

• Never speed in your own neighborhood.
• You’re probably only really great at one or two things. That’s okay.
• Learn to identify bird calls. It will make you more sensitive to what’s happening around you.
• If you don’t know the answer, just say you don’t know.
• If you want to change the dynamic in any conversation, smile.
• Attack the problem, not the person.
• Your boldest moments are your scariest moments, and your best moments.
• Keep your car clean. It will become one more part of your life that doesn’t feel chaotic.
• Never speed in your own neighborhood.
• Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig liked it.
• If you don’t know, ask someone to show you. They’re almost always happy to share.
• Buy lawn fertilizer with higher middle and third numbers. 24-24-24 is about right.
• If you want a healthier lawn, raise your lawnmower blade. Roots only go as deep as the grass is long.
• Buy two charge cords for your devices. It makes your travel so much easier and you stress less if someone takes off with yours.
• If you have a kitchen island, put a few electrical outlets just below the countertop on the frame or upper cabinet. This way no one will trip over cords when they charge their devices.
• Learn how to make a proper cup of tea. Ask anyone from a Commonwealth country. They know.
• Grill over real charcoal. It improves the taste immensely.
• When you’re walking in the woods, breathe in the scent. It will calm you down.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am, along with Sherri Swanson and Aaron Brown, leading a trip to the Holy Land January 23-February 2, 2023.

For more information, click the link below.  And if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Click here for the brochure