Several years ago, I shared “45 Tips from a 90-year-old” on my blog and watched that post get shared across social media channels to a surprising degree. It’s proven that if you specifically ask people to share or Re-Tweet content, they are far more like to do so than if you don’t ask. I learned some practical lessons that aren’t part of the Forty Five Lessons for Life, but form the beginning of Forty Five Lessons for Social Media Marketing.
Two Lessons for Social Media
First, Regina Brett is an author and newspaper columnist. She wrote “45 Lessons Life Taught Me” to celebrate her 45th birthday and it became her single most popular column ever. When posted online, it went viral. Somewhere along the line, someone added this challenge at the bottom of the article: “It’s estimated 93% won’t forward, share or tweet this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title “7%”. Guess what? Thousands of people did. Including me.
The second lesson from this tale is that though Regina was in her 40’s at the time, someone thought it would be more interesting if the title was “45 Tips from a 90-year-old”, thus aging Regina by 45 years with a keystroke. The column spread like wildfire. Now Regina has become an Urban Legend and you can read this story on Snopes ( Snopes is a valuable resource that can save you from a red face – take time to check the source before you share some of the amazing stories going around the internet).
Since I originally thought Regina’s lessons were from a 90 year old, they’ve always brought to mind the invaluable lessons learned from one of my mentors and heroes, my grandmother. (This picture was taken of us when she was 100). I share them today in honor of every strong woman who reads this….
Forty Five Lessons for Life
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time some time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”
It’s estimated 93% won’t forward, share or tweet this. I dare you to be part of the 7%. 🙂
And I invite you to tell me in the comments what two things from this list hit you in the heart.
P.S. I am currently speaking on “Strong Women: Lead Well, Love Well, Live Well“. If you liked this column, you’ll like the FREE Lunch & Learn on July 23. Register HERE.