41 Things I’ve Learned in 41 Years: Here’s What I Know Now
I turned 41 this week. It seems really old but also really young, all at the same time.
Birthdays used to feel like milestones to rush toward. But lately, I’ve found myself slowing down enough to appreciate what’s already here.
If my twenties were about chasing opportunities and my thirties were about building credibility, my forties feel like a season of alignment. Less about doing it all, and more about doing what actually matters to me, my family, my purpose.
Over the years, I’ve led teams, launched big ideas, taken risks, started over, and learned that growth often comes wrapped in challenge. Some lessons came softly. Others showed up like a wake-up call. All of them shaped the way I lead, live, and love today.
So, to mark 41 trips around the sun, I’m sharing 41 things I’ve learned along the way, truths I come back to often, both in business and in life.
Here’s what I know now.
On Work & Leadership
Every “failure” is a masterclass in disguise.
Simplicity beats complexity, every single time.
Feedback isn’t personal, it's fuel to make us better.
The best leaders listen before they speak.
You can be kind and still be clear.
Deadlines are real, but so are boundaries.
Say “no” faster. It makes room for the right “yes.”
Sometimes the smartest move is a pause.
Vision without action is just a really good Pinterest board.
A strong brand begins with a strong why.
On Growth & Life
You’ll never have it all figured out, and that’s okay.
The best decisions often start as a gut feeling.
Progress beats perfection, every time.
Rest isn’t indulgence, it’s foundational.
You teach people how to treat you.
It’s okay to outgrow jobs, seasons, or even people.
Happiness lives in the small, ordinary moments.
You can’t pour from an empty cup; refill often.
Gratitude changes how you see everything.
Every season has its reason.
On Mindset & Motivation
Your comfort zone is cozy, but it’s a dangerous place to live.
You can’t control everything, but you can control your response.
Confidence isn’t loud. It’s calm, consistent, and steady.
Keep learning, always.
Comparison is joy’s biggest thief.
How you do anything is how you do everything.
Don’t wait to feel ready, you never will.
Every detour is divine direction.
The energy you bring into a room matters more than you think.
Ask better questions, they change the answers
On People & Connection
Surround yourself with people who lift, not drain.
Give credit freely and mean it.
Listening is one of the best business strategies.
Kindness and strength can (and should) coexist.
Never underestimate a genuine “thank you.”
Laugh often, especially at yourself.
The rooms you build for others will one day build for you.
Empathy wins always.
The story you tell yourself shapes the story others believe.
The best memories are rarely on your calendar; they live in your heart.
And finally… #41
Life doesn’t necessarily get easier, but it gets richer when you take time to appreciate how far you’ve come and who you’ve become along the way.
As I step into 41, more than anything, I feel grateful.
Grateful for the people who’ve shaped me, the lessons that refined me, and the peace that only comes from trusting God’s timing. Every detour, every delay, every answered and unanswered prayer led me here. And I can see now that none of it was wasted.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” — Ecclesiastes 3:11.
At this age and stage, that feels especially true.
So here’s to another year of faith, growth, and grace. To build what matters, loving people well, and remembering, this is what I once prayed for.
