2008 has been one of the most exciting years of my life. I did more deal making and met more people than in the last few years combined. This produced many surprise insights about business and human nature, especially as I uncovered tons of my own false assumptions.

Here are some of the things I learned and loved in 2008. I’ve linked to posts that I wrote when exploring some of the concepts in more detail…

Don’t underestimate the importance of your time. Look to avoid time suckers, orbiters and other costly favors from strangers. Nobody will protect your time other than you.  Stay focused, stay on task and ask yourself constantly will this activity or person help me reach my goals?  Exceptions: Items that help you move towards your major purpose in life – charity, volunteering or doing good deeds – Karmic actions will always pay you back in stride.

Try and help people and make the world a better place. Stay focused on those who get it – those are the ones who matter.  Strive to do something interesting and fulfilling.   It doesn’t matter how many people don’t get it or find ways to take your actions personally (you have to expect some critics).. F*ck ‘em. Think of life with a legacy to be left behind, which brings me to ….

My Favorite read of 2008: Last Lecture. One of the most readable books of practical philosophies I’ve ever had the fortune to encounter. Both are fast reads of 2-3 evenings. “Time is all you have…and you may find one day that you have less than you think,” as Randy Pausch wrote. Live life.

Outcomes are not the starting point.

Money doesn’t change you; it reveals who you are when you no longer have to be nice.

It’s not helpful get a big head. This makes you careless and annoying.

It’s also not helpful to get depressed.  This makes you lethargic and pessimistic.

Strive for unwavering optimism with attainable goals.

Figure out who the people are you want to impress – those people with characteristics you want to emulate.  Avoid self-doubt and aggravation by trying to impress people you don’t like.

Within 30 minutes of waking, go for a 30-minute walk outside with a puggle (or partner of choice). Ideally, hitting a Starbucks for A Venti Starbucks Double Shot on Ice with an extra shot of espresso with a Turkey breakfast sandwich is the best way to start the day.

Regret is past-tense decision making. Eliminate complaining to minimize regret.

I will not invest in companies when I cannot influence outcomes. For the first time in my life of investing – I moved all of my investments into fixed-income instruments this year, setting aside 10% of my portfolio for angel investments where I can contribute significant management, strategic, and corporate partnership help.

For me, if someone was to ask me what was the best year of my life – it was 1999. There were global crisis (Y2K), there was a bubble starting on the internet – the world was in flux.  It was a year of change for me, a year of ups and downs.  Looking back what I like most about that year – I was very successful in living a life where I did not have work/life balance but a drastic work/life separation.

Well…we’re nearing the end of another great year, and, despite what we read about the outlook for 2009, we can look forward to a New Year filled with opportunities as well as stimulating challenges.  My vision is for  2009 is to have the best year of my life.