15 Things I Wish I Had Learned Earlier in Life:

1. Practice doesn't necessarily make perfect, but it certainly increases the odds of getting there

2. Persistence does pay off, but not necessarily in the way you expect

3. Persistence and Practice Build Confidence (in sports as well as in life)

4. Persistence and Practice without failure isn't really persistence and practice. (We need to push ourselves to the edge of our capabilities which means accepting failure as a part of learning)

5. We can control how we feel (if you are moping, you can decide not to mope)

6. Don't mope or complain about things you can't change (it's pointless)

7. Don't mope or complain about things you can change (just change it)

8. Don't underestimate what you can change (more than you think)

9. Don't underestimate the work required to enact change (more than you think and see #4)

10. True confidence is never brash, loud, and arrogant, but assured, steadfast, and humble.

11. Character and Integrity are more important than Intelligence and Strength

12. Who we choose to associate with in life matters - whether we like it or not, our associations influence our thinking and perception of the world and ourselves. (We should actively seek to surround ourselves with people that strive to be assured, steadfast, and humble with Character and Integrity)

13. Teachers, parents, and "old folk" aren't always right, but they are right often enough that you should really pay attention and think about what they say.

14. Human achievement is built upon the knowledge and effort of those that came before us. Learning as much as we can about the past improves understanding of the present, and gives hope for the future.

15. Leading a spiritually rich life can help achieve, identify or enable all of the above