Hey, it’s Max

Today is my 24th birthday and I share a list of my observations about life that I find entertaining.

Estimated reading time: 4 min 36 sec

Nobody cares about you

(1) Nobody cares about you. You'll be gone in a few generations. People often think they are very important to others.

• Legacy seems outdated. Family names will be forgotten as you fade away, memories fading too.

• And that's okay - you deserve to be who YOU want to be. Give yourself that freedom.

Nothing is truly yours

(2) Nothing is yours, we are all tenants in this world. When our time comes, we hand everything over to other people.

• Nature does not belong to anyone. Mountains, rivers, and fields have existed long before us and will endure long after us. Many people before you claimed the place you now call home as their own.

• The same is true of capital.

• When we die, future generations will inherit our wealth.

Embrace uncertainty

(3) There will always be uncertainty. And that's okay.

• The adventure wouldn't be so interesting if we knew how it would end.

Shaping your future

(4) We're struggling for the future we'll live in 5 years.

• The result we have now is the result of actions in the past. Every day we make choices that lead us step by step to a certain life. The absence of a choice made is also a choice.

• The result of your action is always detached. In school, university, and work, you get feedback. It helps you keep improving.

• In entrepreneurship, there is no such person. You have to learn to create rewards for yourself every day. Otherwise, you won't reach your goal.

The power of emotional control

(5) Learn to control your emotions and you'll be unstoppable.

• The biggest challenge in my life has not been the physical overcoming of difficulty. It was the emotional pressure.

• By controlling your emotions, you can overcome bigger challenges. Others couldn't do it.

Trust yourself

(6) Trust yourself. When people give advice, they are speaking to themselves, not to you. When people discourage you, they are projecting their own insecurities onto you. Your decisions are yours to make. Trust your own judgment. Trust your own instincts.

Seize the moment

(7) Do things now or it will be too late.

• The human brain tries to save energy and does a great job at it. If you delay, doubts appear.

• To do something, even a small thing, is to get feedback from the world on your activity. A small step that will start a big adventure.

Creativity and adventure

(8) Creating new things is the most exciting part of life. I love adventure—it's the most thrilling experience for me. Going my own way, crafting a future I believe in.

Taking calculated risks

(9) If downside is fixed and upside is not — act. But control the cost of loss.

Happiness at work

(10) The cost of being unhappy at work is higher than having a comfort. It’s hits me so hard… Sometimes you're under a glass ceiling. You often have to step back before you can step forward.

The journey of immigration

(11) Immigration is often not a choice. Took me to feel it myself to understand the depth.

(12) Immigration isn't about getting documents. Passport won't bring joy. If you're unhappy now, getting a passport won't fix it. Do you enjoy it here, or are you seeking citizenship?

(13) Immigration is how you get to know yourself. Having the experience of living in one place - you follow the cultural norms of the place where you were born. But that doesn't mean they fit you.

• I lived in Stockholm for a year and it was a big revelation to me that Swedes don't close their windows. Never.

• In my family it was unacceptable. I remember my dad telling me to curtain the windows at night. He said it was because everyone can see us and we become "like on TV".

• The windows of my Swedish apartment faced another apartment. Every morning, I would see a young couple having sex. I felt very embarrassed and so I started closing the windows myself to show them: I'M NOT LOOKING AT YOU. But it's seems like... they were fine. And it was only me frustrated.

• This culture shock allowed me to see the world through different eyes. I hadn't thought about whether to curtain my windows before. But, now that I've seen a different reality, I have a choice.

Resilience in the face of challenges

(14) When things get harder — you double-down.

• Facing hurdles, fewer stay.

• Most bail, but not you. You push through doubts, doubling down.

Cherish the present

(15) Time flies very fast.

• And it starts to speed up with time. Appreciate the time with your loved ones. Because it's flying for them, too.

Embrace possibilities

(16) Everything is possible. But there is a price to pay.

Choose happiness

(17) You can be happy right now. We make choices every second.

(18) Family means accepting each other with unconditional love.

Persistence and success

(19) The road to one yes lies through hundreds of no's - no one asked you to show up. Rejection is part of the game.

(20) Life is compounding interest. All best things come over time: friends, family, health, and business. Success comes to those with patience and persistence.

Embracing the present

(21) There is no past. When feeling down, I ask: Would I still be upset without past experience to compare with? In 90% of cases, the answer is “no”

Seasons of life

(22) Seasons divide life.

• Whatever you're going through, it won't last forever. Bad feelings will fade. You'll move forward in life.

• Give yourself permission to live through the emotions. Give yourself permission to recover. And you'll start a new productive season.

Embrace uniqueness

(23) It's okay to be weird.

• The combination of interests is what makes a person unique. We're all weird. Give yourself permission to manifest and you can reveal yourself.

Striving for greatness

(24) Copying the best leads to becoming the best.

• The problem is: a) finding the best ones; b) figuring out what to copy;

• It's not easy though.

Thanks for reading!

If these reflections resonate with you, or if you're curious about the journey of self-discovery, I invite you to join our growing community. Subscribe to my newsletter for more personal insights and follow me on Twitter