7 lessons 98% of people learn a bit too late in life, according to psychology

It’s a funny thing about life, we seem to learn some of its most crucial lessons a little too late.

By the time we’ve mastered the art of managing relationships, handling failure, or prioritizing our mental health, we’ve already stumbled through countless experiences that could’ve been a lot smoother if we’d known better.

That’s the irony of wisdom. It often comes as a result of trial and error rather than pre-emptive knowledge.

But what if you could get ahead of the curve? What if you could tap into that wisdom before life forces you to learn it the hard way?

Psychology offers us some fascinating insights into these lessons. These lessons aren’t just about avoiding pitfalls – they’re about aligning our actions with our core values, nurturing our growth, and authentically living out our potential.

Ready to get a head start on these hard-earned life lessons? Let’s dive in.

1) Embrace failure as a stepping stone

It’s not uncommon for most of us to fear failure. The sting of a misstep, a botched attempt, or a plan gone awry is something we would much rather avoid.

But according to psychology, this mindset is one that many of us adopt far too late in life. Failure, it turns out, isn’t the dreadful end we often imagine it to be. Instead, it’s merely a stepping-stone on the road to success.

The great psychologist Carl Rogers once said, “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the idea that learning—and, by extension, growth—is a process that inherently involves change and failure.

When we stumble, we’re presented with an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. Each failure is a lesson in disguise, offering us invaluable insights into what works and what doesn’t.

But here’s where it gets tricky: the lesson isn’t in the failure itself but in our response to it. We must learn not just to accept failure as inevitable but to actively embrace it as a necessary part of our journey towards self-awareness and authentic growth.

And instead of shying away from the experience, lean into it. You might be surprised at what you learn.

2) The power of self-compassion

I remember when I started my first business. I was full of enthusiasm and big dreams. But the journey was far from smooth, and there were many moments when things didn’t go as planned.

I remember a particular client pitch that went horribly wrong. The rejection hit me hard ,and I started beating myself up for it.

But then I stumbled upon a quote by psychologist Kristin Neff, who is known for her work on self-compassion. She said, “Instead of mercilessly judging and criticizing yourself for various inadequacies or shortcomings, self-compassion means you are kind and understanding when confronted with personal failings.”

This hit me like a revelation. I realized that the harsh criticism I was subjecting myself to wasn’t helping me grow or improve. On the contrary, it was hindering my progress by damaging my self-esteem and motivation.

It took a while, but I gradually learned to treat myself with the same kindness and understanding I would offer to a friend in a similar situation. And let me tell you, it made a world of difference.

This lesson of self-compassion is something that most people learn too late in life. We often believe that being hard on ourselves will drive us to achieve more.

But psychology suggests the opposite. By adopting self-compassion, we create a nurturing space for personal growth and authenticity, one where mistakes aren’t just tolerated but valued as opportunities for learning and improvement.

Show yourself some compassion. Not only will it make your journey more pleasant, but it just might make it more successful, too.

3) The illusion of control

Have you ever found yourself agonizing over something outside of your control? I know I have. More times than I would like to admit.

I used to think that if I could just plan everything perfectly, life would follow suit. But the more I tried to micromanage every detail, the more stressed and unhappy I became. It was a hard pill to swallow, but eventually, I had to face the truth: we can’t control everything.

The renowned psychologist Carl Jung said, “We cannot change anything until we accept it.” This quote resonates deeply with me. It speaks to the need for acceptance before we can move forward – especially acceptance of the things we cannot change.

The illusion of control is a lesson most of us learn too late. We spend so much energy trying to manipulate outcomes and avoid uncertainty, only to realize that this isn’t just impossible but also exhausting.

Learning to let go and trust in the process doesn’t mean resigning ourselves to fate without taking any action. Rather, it’s about understanding what’s within our power to influence and what isn’t.

It’s about focusing our energy where it really counts – on our actions and attitudes, not on trying to control every aspect of our lives.

Acceptance might just be the first step towards a more peaceful and authentic life.

4) The value of vulnerability

In the world we live in, vulnerability is often equated with weakness. We’re encouraged to keep our guard up, to hide our insecurities and fears. But what if I told you that this mentality might be holding you back?

A study conducted by Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston, completely shifted my perspective on vulnerability. Dr. Brown spent years studying connection, belonging, and the power of vulnerability.

Her research revealed that those who had a strong sense of love and belonging believed they were worthy of it. And the one thing they had in common was their comfort with being vulnerable. They saw vulnerability not as a weakness but as a necessary part of forming deep, meaningful connections.

This blew my mind. Here I was, trying so hard to project an image of perfection, when all along, being open about my imperfections could have been the key to forming stronger relationships and living a more authentic life.

This is one of those lessons that many people learn far too late. They spend their lives building walls to protect themselves from judgment or rejection, only to realize that these walls are keeping them from experiencing true connection and growth.

Embrace your vulnerability. It may just open doors to deeper connections and a more authentic life.

5) The power of now

I’ve always been a planner. I used to spend so much time dwelling on the past and worrying about the future that I often overlooked the present.

But over time, I’ve come to realize that this habit of mine was robbing me of the joy of living in the moment.

Psychologist and best-selling author Eckhart Tolle once said, “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”

These words struck a chord with me. They made me realize that by constantly living in the past or future, I was missing out on the beauty of now.

No matter how much we plan or worry, we can’t change the past or control the future. All we truly have is this moment.

This realization is a lesson most people learn too late in life. We become so focused on our goals and ambitions that we forget to enjoy the journey. But as Tolle suggests, making the present moment our primary focus can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Next time you find yourself dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, take a deep breath and bring your attention back to the present. You might just find that it’s a pretty great place to be.

6) The paradox of happiness

Now, this might sound counterintuitive, but hear me out. What if the more we chase after happiness, the more it eludes us?

Psychologist Viktor Frankl, who survived the Holocaust and wrote the profound book “Man’s Search for Meaning,” said, “Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue. One must have a reason to ‘be happy.”

Frankl’s words resonated with me deeply. I realized I had been approaching happiness as a destination – something to be achieved or attained.

But in doing so, I was missing the point. Happiness isn’t a destination; it’s a byproduct of living a life filled with meaning and purpose.

This is a lesson that 98% of people learn a bit too late in life. We’re often misguided by the idea that accumulating more – more money, more success, more things – will make us happy. But as Frankl pointed out, true happiness ensues from living a life that aligns with our values and purpose.

So, instead of asking yourself,”How can I be happy?”, perhaps a better question would be, “What brings meaning to my life?” The answer might just lead you to the happiness you’ve been chasing after all along.

7) The importance of self-acceptance

In my journey of personal growth, one lesson stands out above the rest: the importance of self-acceptance.

Renowned psychologist Carl Rogers said, “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” This quote encapsulates a powerful truth. Only by fully accepting ourselves – our strengths, our weaknesses, our quirks – can we truly grow and evolve.

This lesson, alas, is one that many of us learn too late in life. We often spend so much time trying to fit into societal expectations that we lose sight of who we truly are.

Embrace who you are, just as you are. It’s the first step towards authentic growth and becoming the best version of yourself.

Final thoughts

Life is a journey of constant learning, and sometimes, the most crucial lessons come to us a little later than we would have hoped.

These seven lessons – embracing failure, practicing self-compassion, accepting what we can’t control, valuing vulnerability, living in the now, and understanding the paradox of happiness and the power of self-acceptance – are all stepping stones on our path to personal growth and authenticity.

While most people learn these lessons a bit too late in life, having them in mind from this point onwards can profoundly shift your perspective and enhance your life experiences.

Remember, it’s never too late to incorporate these lessons into your life. Because as we grow and evolve, so does our understanding of these lessons. Each day presents a new opportunity to learn, to grow, and to live our lives more authentically.

As you go on with your journey, ponder on these lessons. Reflect on them. And most importantly, embody them.

Because at the end of the day, life isn’t just about getting to a destination; it’s about enjoying and learning from the journey itself.