Dreaming
“A big dream is as much work as a small dream. So dream big.”
- Jorge Lemann
Rules for Success
One of the best gifts I was ever given.
When I was twenty-one years old, fresh out of college and about to start my first job, my father gave me a handwritten list of instructions.
Here are my dad’s rules for success:
> Do at least 10% more than you are asked.
> Never, ever, to anybody, present as fact, opinions on things you don’t know. Take great care and discipline.
> Be courteous and considerate always— up and down.
> Don’t knock, don’t complain—stick to constructive, serious criticism.
> Don’t be afraid to make decisions when you have the facts on which to make them.
> Quantify where possible.
> Be open-minded but skeptical.
> Be prompt.
I’ve passed these same rules on to my own children and the original copy hangs next to my bathroom mirror.
- Marc Randolph via Twitter/X
Director
I was an accidental entrepreneur but serial now. I don’t think I’ll ever work for anyone else and likely will move from one thing to another so for me it’s a personality trait. I get bored easy and need to move on to something else. But I don’t have a risk taking personality. I am more trained there by mentally pushing myself to take the next step.
It doesn’t come easy but I view my life as if I was watching a movie about my life. I want to watch an amazing interesting movie. To make that happen it’s like I’m directing a scene and tell myself that in this scene take the next step and let’s see what happens. It’s uncomfortable for me but I pretend it’s not. People view me as very assured and confident whereas in reality it’s the director asking the actor to be very assured and confident in this scene.
- Several-Ad2548 on Reddit
Waiting
If you wait until you are ready, it is almost certainly too late.
-Seth Godin
Donkey
If hard work leads to success, the donkey would own the farm.
- Old rural saying
Who's left
The cowards never started, and the weak died along the way. That leaves us, ladies and gentlemen.
- Phil Knight
Risk
If you don't risk anything, you risk even more.
-Erica Jong
You Are Enough
“Tibetan Buddhist texts liken this type of addictive behavior to ‘licking honey off a razor.’ The initial sensation may be sweet, but the underlying effect is quite damaging. Seeking satisfaction in others or in external objects or events reinforces a deep and often unacknowledged belief that we, as we are, are not entirely complete; that we need something beyond ourselves in order to experience a sense of wholeness or security or stability.”
— Joyful Wisdom by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Happiness
There is no way to happiness - happiness is the way.
— Thich Nhat Hanh
Options
“Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side because it is fake.”
- Betty Rocker
Decisions
Observe people wherever you will and you will notice that those who cannot make up their minds are neither popular nor successful.
- N. Hill
Direction
“You only need to know the direction, not the destination. The direction is enough to make the next choice.”
— James Clear
Act
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer the negative elements in your life, don’t sit at home and think about it. Go out and get busy!”
— Dale Carnegie
Doubts
Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.
Karate
Every black belt is a white belt who didn’t quit.
Adversity
A calm sea does not produce a skilled sailor.
Value Prop
A lot less people would buy a lottery ticket if the rule was “pick a number between 1 and 300 million. If you guess right, you win.”