60 Lessons at 60

A person is pointing at a graph on a whiteboard.

I recently turned 60. 


Instead of a big celebration, I took some quiet time to reflect. 


On the path behind me. The road ahead. And the truths that have revealed themselves over the decades. 


These 60 lessons aren’t advice. 


They’re not rules. 


They’re lived experiences—the kind that only come with time, reflection, and a few bumps along the way. 


Here they are, in no particular order: 


  1. Time is your most valuable asset. Protect it from what doesn’t matter. 
  2. Failure isn’t failure if it gives you the fight and the lessons to keep going. 
  3. Money matters. But not at the cost of your peace. It’s a tool, not the destination. 
  4. Success is a journey—not a place you land. Don’t miss the ride trying to reach a destination. 
  5. Work-life balance doesn’t happen by accident. You have to choose it, over and over again. 
  6. Clarity often comes from thinking—but results come from moving. 
  7. Resilience is built in the moments you want to quit, but don’t. 
  8. Give yourself grace. The way you treat yourself shapes how you lead and live. 
  9. Your mindset is your fuel. Feed it with truth, not fear. 
  10. What matters most is doing work that fits who you are—not just what you can do. 
  11. Work on things that match your gifts. Be with people who lift you. 
  12. Take your work seriously—but don’t take yourself too seriously. 
  13. When something fits you—your skills, your energy, your season—give it your heart and your hustle. 
  14. You’re one small dot on this Earth. Let that humble you. 
  15. You don’t know everything. Keep your curiosity bigger than your ego. 
  16. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. They rarely come. Start anyway. 
  17. Keep learning and evolving — growth has no age limit, and the most important work is the work you do on yourself. 
  18. It’s tough to think clearly with a cluttered mind. Sometimes the best answers come when you slow down. 
  19. Be generous—with your time, your presence, and your praise. It costs little and means much. 
  20. Not everything needs to be said. Silence is sometimes the strongest move. 
  21. Say “I don’t know” more often. It keeps you open and grounded. 
  22. Don’t confuse being busy with being valuable. Your worth isn’t your workload. 
  23. When something’s off, your body usually knows before your brain does. Learn to listen. 
  24. Take responsibility—for your energy, your results, your path. Blame is a dead end. 
  25. Most relationships thrive not from grand gestures, but consistent care. 
  26. Stay humble. The higher you go, the more important it is. 
  27. You can’t outrun burnout. Pace yourself like you plan to be here for a while. 
  28. Stop comparing. Everyone’s race is custom-built. Find your own path—and honor it. 
  29. Sometimes the best ROI comes from letting go—not holding on. 
  30. Leave people better than you found them. Always. 
  31. Be mindful of your energy—it influences every room you walk into. 
  32. You won’t click with everyone. That’s not failure. Learn to accept it with peace. 
  33. Be clear. Be kind. Be direct. It saves everyone time and confusion. 
  34. The people you surround yourself with shape your future more than you realize. 
  35. Sometimes your attention belongs to your business or career. Other times, to the person behind it. Both are worthy. The wisdom is knowing when to shift—and having the courage to follow through. 
  36. Small consistent habits shape a life more than big dramatic moves. 
  37. Wisdom isn’t loud. It’s quiet, grounded, and hard-earned. 
  38. Humor lightens the load. Don’t forget to laugh—especially at yourself. 
  39. The greatest legacy isn’t what you accumulate — it’s the character you live by and the faith you pass on. 
  40. There’s power in doing fewer things, better. 
  41. No one has it all figured out. Not even the ones who look like they do. 
  42. The best mentors don’t give answers. They ask better questions. 
  43. Learn to celebrate your progress—not just your wins. 
  44. What you allow—in your team, your time, your energy—slowly becomes your norm. Choose it with intention. 
  45. You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone. Just keep showing up with integrity. 
  46. Make peace with your past. Carry the lessons, not the weight. 
  47. Success without inner peace isn’t really success. 
  48. You can be ambitious and grateful at the same time. 
  49. The best decisions are made with a clear mind and a calm heart. 
  50. Learn to let things go—faster. Resentment is expensive. 
  51. There’s strength in being gentle. Don’t confuse softness with weakness. 
  52. When in doubt, lead with listening. 
  53. If something’s not working—in business or life—look closer. There’s usually an honest conversation that hasn’t happened yet. 
  54. Reputation takes years to build, seconds to lose. Protect it. 
  55. Don’t wait until you’re ready. Start before the fear talks you out of it. 
  56. Pay attention to what gives you energy. That’s your compass. 
  57. Ask for help sooner. You’re not supposed to do this alone. 
  58. Faith will give you inner strength, balance, and perspective in uncertain times. 
  59. Live life fully. Treat it as an adventure — don’t stay confined to a box. 
  60. Develop a thick skin. Invite feedback. Respond to it with grace. 


Whether you’re growing, shifting, or just pausing to reflect… I hope a few of these met you where you are. 

I’d love to know: which ones spoke to you most? 


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Salim Omar

Salim is a straight-talking CPA with 30+ years of entrepreneurial and accounting experience. His professional background includes experience as a former Chief Financial Officer and, for the last twenty-five years, as a serial 7-Figure entrepreneur.

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