"RICH" in Life Lessons

Hello brilliant friend, 

Today is my 38th birthday.

And in many ways, I feel like I’ve lived a dozen lives inside this one.

I’ve lost and rebuilt.
Held it all together and then let it all fall apart.
I’ve chased. Burned out, burned it down and risen back up.

And through it all—I’ve listened and I’ve learned these truths.

So today, I want to gift you what life has given me:

38 hard-won, soul-fed, rich life lessons that I hope you can carry with you, too.

Things I Know For Sure (At 38)

1. You are more than what you do.
   What you do is only one expression of who you are. Your values, your drivers, your essence? That’s the compass that will guide you home.
   

2. You are the most important project you’ll ever work on.
   Invest accordingly.
   

3. Getting more sleep is the answer to almost everything.
   

4. Learn to love the climb.
   The goalposts will keep moving. Your standards will rise. Celebrate every small marker on the path.
   

5. The conversation you're avoiding is the one that will set you free.
   

6. Being a heart-driven leader means choosing to keep your heart open—
   Even when the world gives you a thousand reasons to close it.
   

7. If it’s not a f*ck yes, it’s a no.
   Half-hearted yeses drain your energy and teach others your boundaries are flexible.
   

8. Your triggers are your teachers.
   What makes you react disproportionately? That’s pointing directly at what needs healing.
   

9. To know and not do is to still not know.
   Insight without action is stagnation.
   

10. The measure of success isn’t what you achieve—it’s who you become on the path.
    

11. Ready isn’t a feeling—it’s a choice.
    You don’t need more proof. You don’t need more time. You just need to walk through the door.
    

12. You are allowed to evolve.
    The old version of you got you here. Say thank you—and move forward.
    

13. Don’t “should” on yourself.
    

14. If your circle isn’t clapping the loudest for you, get a new circle.
    

15. Consistency doesn’t need to look the same every day.
    Ask yourself: What do I need today? What can I do with what I have? Then do that.
    

16. Your life begins when you take 100% responsibility for your happiness, health, and success.
    Let that be wildly liberating.
    

17. You can’t rush a butterfly.
    If you force it out of the cocoon, it won’t survive. The magic is in the messy middle. Growth happens in the uncomfortable space between who you were and who you’re becoming.
    

18. How you do one thing is how you do everything.
    Those small promises you break to yourself? They erode your self-trust everywhere else.
    

19. Anything you lose by speaking your truth isn’t a loss—it’s alignment.
    

20. The words you speak become the house you live in.
    

21. The quality of your relationships is the biggest predictor of your happiness.
    

22. Doubt and imposter syndrome are signs you’re doing something meaningful.
    Keep going.
    

23. Shortcuts and rushing actually take longer.
    

24. If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.
    

25. In every moment, you have a choice: move from fear or move from love.
    Fear tightens. Love softens. Choose love.
    

26. If you have more than five priorities, you have none.
    

27. You break a pattern by making a new choice—just one.
    

28. Comparison is the thief of joy.
    

29. You need three wins every day.
    A win for your body, a win for your mind, and a win for your spirit.
    

30. You get what you allow.
    

31. You can be both a masterpiece and a work in progress.
    Both are true right now.
    

32. If you’re committed to growth, you’re signing up for discomfort.
    Learn to trust it. The discomfort isn’t a sign you’re doing it wrong—it’s evidence of your transformation.
    

33. There are three sides to every story:
    Yours, theirs, and what really happened. Stay curious.
    

34. Integration isn’t a break from the work—
    Integration is the work.
    Success isn’t about balance—it’s about honoring all of who you are.
    

35. It always takes longer than you think.
    Trust the process.
    

36. The grass is greenest where you water it.
    

37. Learning to receive is a leadership superpower.
    

38. Most success scripts you’re following weren’t written by you.
    Burn down the rules that don’t fit. Just don’t burn yourself in the process.

If any of these landed, sparked something, or reminded you of your own journey — would you hit reply and let me know?

Knowing that I've made an impact on you would be the greatest gift.

Truly.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for walking alongside me.

Shoulder to shoulder,

ALL LOVE

❤️ Mandy


P.S. New here? Welcome 👋 Here’s my favourite place to get started - The Seven Traits of The Well Resourced Leader.


As always, feel free to hit reply and let me know what resonates, I love hearing from you.