Ronald Reagan was 69 years old when he ran for President in 1980. Despite continual criticism, he won the election and never passed up an opportunity to use humor when referring to his age.

Perhaps the most memorable opportunity came when he was running for reelection four years later. During a televised debate between Reagan and Walter Mondale in 1984, Reagan was asked if he was too old to serve another term. Reagan was prepared and responded in such a way as to quiet his critics. “I’m not going to inject the issue of age into this campaign,” Reagan began. “I’m not going to exploit for political gain my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”

Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

As I get ready to celebrate yet another birthday, I think about the multitude of lessons that have not only shaped my personal life but have also been integral to my professional journey. Probably the most important one of all: You don’t regret most of the things you did; rather you regret the things that you didn’t do.

Let me share some of my observations.

Adaptability is essential. Life and business are ever-changing, and being adaptable is crucial to staying relevant and successful. Embracing change rather than resisting it has allowed me to grow and thrive in various circumstances. Stay flexible.

Relationships are priceless. The value of building and maintaining strong relationships cannot be overstated. Whether it’s with family, friends, colleagues or clients, investing in relationships pays dividends in countless ways. People do business with those they know, like and trust.

Be in school for a lifetime. No matter how much you think you know, there is always more to learn. The business landscape is always changing. Staying relevant requires ongoing education. Being curious and open to new knowledge keeps you engaged and sharp.

Integrity matters. Honesty and integrity are the cornerstones of trust, and trust is the foundation of all lasting relationships, both personally and professionally. Always strive to be truthful and honorable in your dealings. Your reputation is your most valuable asset.

Listening is a superpower. Good communication is not just about speaking well -- it’s about listening even better. You can learn more from listening than you can from talking.

Health is wealth. Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial. As you age, you realize that without health, nothing else is as enjoyable or even possible.

Humor is a lifeline. A good sense of humor can get you through tough times. It is important to take your work seriously, but not yourself.

Giving back. The importance of giving back to the community and helping others cannot be overstated. It is one of the most rewarding aspects of success.

Don’t be afraid to take a risk. Taking risks is an essential part of growth and success. If you win, you will be happy. If you lose, you will be wise. By stepping out of your comfort zone, you open yourself up to new opportunities and experiences that can lead to personal and professional growth.

The power of persistence. Success rarely comes overnight. It often requires sustained effort and resilience in the face of setbacks. Stay persistent and don't give up easily. Learn from failures and keep pushing forward. Persistence often separates the successful from the unsuccessful.

Let go of worry. Worry is the most unproductive of all human activities. People get so busy worrying about yesterday or tomorrow; they forget about today. And today is what you have to work with.

Manage your time well. Time is a remarkable gift. You can’t work all the time, and you can’t play all the time. Try to strike a balance that includes work, volunteering, leisure and sleep. You can’t face life’s challenges if you don’t take time to recharge your batteries.

Be unapologetically yourself. There is only one you. Take time to think about what you truly believe in and what you want others to see. People will respect you for not compromising your principles, and they will know they can depend on you to be honest with them.

In business, the lessons you learn over time are your most valuable assets. They shape your decisions, guide your actions and ultimately determine your success. Embrace these lessons and let them steer you toward a prosperous future.

Mackay’s Moral: The more candles on my birthday cake, the more I have to reflect on the icing of life’s lessons.

I’ve learned over the years not to try to keep up with others; someone will always have more. To drive this point home, I always ask: Do you know what happens when you catch up with the Joneses? They refinance.

Competition is the breakfast of champions, not cereal. Whether you like competition or not, it makes you better and stronger. You should not only welcome stiff competition, you should actively seek it out. You will never realize your full potential in business or life unless you are challenged.

Competition has made me a better businessman, a better golfer and a better person. And when there isn’t another company or business to compete with, I try to outdo myself. If that sounds simple, well, it is. I always want to be at my best and show my best side. No one ever set a world record competing against themself.

As Mark Twain said, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”

Competition is not just important; it is essential. It serves as a catalyst for innovation, efficiency and improvement. When businesses compete, they are pushed to refine their products, services and customer experiences. This drive to be better than competitors can lead to breakthroughs that might not have occurred in a monopoly situation.

Moreover, competition keeps businesses alert to changing market conditions and customer needs. It encourages companies to be more customer-focused, as they must differentiate themselves to win over consumers. This can lead to better quality, lower prices and more choices for consumers.

A problem I see all too frequently is that people are afraid of competition. Perhaps it’s because they fear losing, but I suspect a better reason is that they know they are not as prepared as their rivals. They are not willing to put in the necessary hard work, training and sacrifice. They think things will be easier for them than for others, possibly because others have made things look easy.

In my own experience, I’ve found that embracing competition has been a key factor in staying relevant and successful. It is important to study your competitors, learn from them and sometimes even collaborate with them to create new market opportunities.

One instance that comes to mind was when our envelope manufacturing company faced stiff competition from larger companies in the industry. These competitors had deeper pockets and could afford to undercut our prices to gain market share. It was a classic David versus Goliath scenario.

Instead of trying to compete on price alone, which would have been a race to the bottom, we decided to focus on what we could control -- our service and our relationship with customers. We doubled down on providing exceptional customer service, ensuring that our clients felt valued and understood. We also invested in our sales team, training them not just to sell, but to solve problems for our customers.

This strategy required us to be more innovative and agile than our larger competitors. We had to truly listen to our customers and adapt quickly to their needs. As a result, we were able to offer customized solutions that our competitors couldn’t match. This approach helped us to not only retain our existing customers but also to attract new ones who were looking for a more personalized service.

The competition forced us to be our best, to innovate and to never take our customers for granted. It made us a better company because we had to constantly improve and differentiate ourselves in a meaningful way.

Internal competition can also boost innovation and productivity. To foster a healthy sense of competition, we set up an initiative in which different teams within our company were encouraged to come up with innovative solutions to improve our processes, reduce costs and enhance our products.

We created a platform for these teams to present their ideas to the leadership, and the best ideas were not only implemented but also rewarded. This internal competition sparked a wave of creativity and collaboration that we hadn’t seen before. It broke down silos as teams worked together to outdo each other in a positive way.

The result was a series of improvements in our operations and a significant boost in team morale. Employees felt more engaged because they had a direct impact on the company’s success. It was a win-win situation -- the company benefited from the innovative ideas, and the employees enjoyed the recognition and rewards for their contributions.

Mackay’s Moral: Competition always wins.

Our lives basically change in three ways; through the people we meet, the places we travel and the books we read.

I made that statement many years ago, and I still believe it today.

Television, computers, the internet and even radio were supposed to be the replacement for conventional books when each first became popular. But more books than ever are being published, and more copies are being sold.

Inscribed on the Thomas Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress are the first eight words of this quotation by Henry David Thoreau: “Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations. Their authors are a natural and irresistible aristocracy in every society, and, more than kings or emperors, exert an influence on mankind.”

National Book Month is held each October. The monthlong celebration focuses on the importance of reading, writing and literature.

Norman Cousins was one of America’s most famous editors. He ended his career teaching medical students, when he wrote this about books: “There is a simple non-medical technique for increasing longevity. This system goes by the name of ‘book.’ Through it, man can live hundreds of lifetimes in one. What is more, he may enjoy fabulous options. He can live in any age of his choosing. He can take possession of an experience. He can live inside the mind of any man who has recorded an interesting thought, any man who has opened up new slices of knowledge, any man who has engaged in depths of feeling or awareness beyond the scope of most mortals.”

When it comes to personal growth, books are a treasure trove of knowledge, insights and wisdom that can help shape our perspectives, improve our skills and inspire us to become better versions of ourselves.

Here is why reading is so crucial for personal development:

It expands your perspective. Books open you up to new cultures, philosophies and ways of thinking. By exposing yourself to a broad range of topics and authors, you can challenge your preconceptions and gain a more nuanced understanding of the world.

It enhances self-reflection. Reading about characters, situations or ideas can prompt you to reflect on your own life, values and behaviors. This self-reflection is a key component of personal growth, as it can lead to greater self-awareness and a clear sense of your goals and priorities.

It improves problem-solving skills. Many books, especially those focused on personal development, provide strategies for dealing with challenges. By learning from the experiences and advice of others, you can develop a toolkit of techniques for navigating obstacles in your own life.

It boosts creativity. Reading stimulates the imagination, encouraging you to think creatively and explore new possibilities. This can be particularly valuable in personal development, as it enables you to envision and pursue goals that you might not have considered otherwise.

It builds knowledge. At the most basic level, reading is a powerful way to acquire knowledge. Whether you’re learning about psychology, health, productivity or any other topic related to personal growth, books can provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your life.

It enhances communication skills. Reading regularly can also improve your vocabulary and comprehension, which in turn can enhance your communication skills. Being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and persuasively is a valuable asset in both personal and professional growth.

In my own life, I’ve found that reading has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of business, leadership and human behavior. Books like Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” have not only informed my professional practices but have also influenced my approach to personal relationships and self-improvement.

As the author of seven New York Times bestsellers, I unashamedly promote the value of books -- largely because of the effect that books have had on my life and career. I could never personally see or hear all the authors who have influenced me, but their written works fill my bookshelves and hard drive. And I can revisit them at my convenience.

Truly, books are gifts that keep on giving.

Mackay’s Moral: Leaders are readers. If you want to continue to grow and develop, make reading a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.