This is an extremely difficult post for me to write because a day I have been dreading for quite some time is now upon me: I am turning 30 years old on July 24th.

Earlier this year I wrote a post about not looking forward to turning 30 called Why I Am Having A Pre-30 Life Crisis. In it you can learn more about why I have been dreading this birthday. But alas, I have come to accept the fact that I will turn 30 years old.

Lately, I have not been thinking as much about why I don’t want to turn 30. I have actually been thinking about all that I have learned so far in my life. I have been doing a lot of reflecting on my past which has allowed me to look forward to my bright future.

As Tim McGraw said in his hit song, in my next 30 years I am gonna have some fun. But before I look too far ahead, join me in looking back.

Here are 30 Lessons I have learned by 30:

1. There is no room for hate in this world. I continue to learn this lesson over and over and yet I still allow myself to get caught up in hate too often.
2. Leadership is the solution to every problem we have in our world. There is no problem that cannot be solved through effective leadership. We need more leaders, not less. We need people from all walks of life to step up as leaders and make a difference. It is not about our leaders at the top. It is about each and every single one of us.
3. You never really understand true love until you fully experience it with the person who is the most special to you. I thought I knew what love was plenty of times in my life. Not long ago you could have asked me who my first love was and I would have given you a name. Now I know my first love was the woman I said “I Do” to on November 5, 2011.
4. Parents are awesome, at least mine are. I wish everyone had the kind of parents I have. We must always honor our parents. They are the most important leaders we will ever have.
5. In-Laws are also pretty cool. I lucked out with mine. The people I respect most in this world are my own parents, but my in-laws are a close second.
6. Education is the most important issue in our society. Everything comes from education whether it be formal or informal education.
7. An investment in yourself is the only investment out there with a guaranteed positive return.
8. Life is difficult for a Philly sports fan, but I will never give up hope.
9. A Philly sports team can actually win a championship. I remember 2008 vividly. At the time I thought it to be the best day of my life.
10. Sports are not the most important part of my life. My priorities have changed a bit, for the better.
11. I am the reason many of my relationships have gone sour. I have screwed up a lot.
12. Starting a business is hard. Many people don’t have the stomach for it. I do.
13. Rocky Balboa is still one of my heroes. He is real to me so don’t give me any of that “he’s not real” crap.
14. Change isn’t bad. I used to be known for saying “I hate change.” But most of the change I have been a part of in my life has been positive and has led to significant improvements.
15. There is absolutely no point in having cable television anymore.
16. Hawaii may be the only place other than Austin where I would live. I wish I was writing this post from Hawaii right now.
17. I am totally a cat person. Sorry dogs, you’re cool too. But I love kitties.
18. Tying your shoes with two bunny ears is still the best way and I don’t care what anyone else say’s.
19. “If you are not making the progress you would like to make and are capable of making it is simply because your goals are not clearly defined.” Thanks to Paul J. Meyer and Bill Moyer for teaching this to me.
20. There is absolutely no point in getting into an argument via social media about anything. There can be no winner. Only losers. I learned this the hard way.
21. It is possible to outgrow people in your life. It is difficult to fully accept this, especially when it comes to people who you really care about.
22. Three letters will keep anyone from living a significant life: EGO.
23. Humility is easy to write about and to talk about, but it is really hard to practice.
24. I could live the rest of my life off of cheeseburgers. Of course I may not make it to 40 if I attempt that. My cholesterol is already quite high.
25. Weekly face masks really make a difference. I have been doing them for a while now with my wife and the results are amazing.
26. Bruce Springsteen is THE BOSS. I learned this before I could talk or sing along with his songs. Bruce is still rockin at 66 years old. His passion and drive for greatness is inspiring. (I have seen him live 11 times going on 12.)
27. Being a family means accepting every family member just the way they are and loving them unconditionally. Sometimes this is difficult. There will be times when you drift a part. But family is forever.
28. The Golden Rule should not be taken literally. We must not treat others the way WE want to be treated. We should treat others the way they want and need to be treated.
29. I love leadership books, but only one BOOK has the answers to all my questions.
30. I am the Boss of my life.

The first 30 years of my life have been filled with many blessings. I have learned a lot about myself and the world. I have traveled. I have been mentored and coached. I have grown. I met and married the woman of my dreams. I started a business. I wrote a few books. I made a ton of mistakes.

In my next 30 years, I will choose to make everyday a good day. I will continue to invest in my own personal growth. I will treat others with respect and dignity, the way they want and need to be treated. I will practice forgiveness and I will try to not hold grudges.

In my next 30 years, I will control what I can control. I know that I can only control me. I will take personal responsibility and own up to my mistakes. I will not place blame on others as there is always enough blame to go around. Solutions are all that matter.

In my next 30 years, I will do my best to serve those less fortunate than me. I will use the gifts I have been given to serve others, not myself.

In my next 30 years, I will be the best possible husband I can be. I will work to prove that I am good enough for my wife.

My next 30 years will be the best years of my life.

Thanks for reading my post. In honor of my 30th birthday I am raising money to bring back a mentoring program called Apprentice Austin. Click Here to make a donation if you are so moved. I appreciate your kindness.