101 Additional Advices

Forget trying to decide what your life’s destiny is. That’s too grand. Instead, just figure out what you should do in the next 2 years.

Whenever you hug someone, be the last to let go.

Never hesitate to invest in yourself—to pay for a class, a course, a new skill. These modest expenditures pay outsized dividends.

When shopping for anything physical (souvenirs, furniture, books, tools, shoes, equipment), ask yourself: where will this go? Don’t buy it unless there is a place it can live. Something may need to leave in order for something else to come in

When someone texts you they are running late, double the time they give you. If they say they’ll be there in 5, make that 10; if 10, it’ll be 20; if 20, count on 40.

Every now and then throw a memorable party. The price will be steep, but long afterwards you will remember the party, whereas you won’t remember how much is in your checking account.

Where you live—what city, what country—has more impact on your well being than any other factor. Where you live is one of the few things in your life you can choose and change.

Changing your mind about important things is not a consequence of stupidity, but a sign of intelligence

When you are stuck or overwhelmed, focus on the smallest possible thing that moves your project forward

In a museum you need to spend at least 10 minutes with an artwork to truly see it. Aim to view 5 pieces at 10 minutes each rather than 100 at 30 seconds each.

When you find yourself procrastinating, don’t resist. Instead lean into it. Procrastinate 100%. Try to do absolutely nothing for 5 minutes. Make it your job. You’ll fail. After 5 minutes, you’ll be ready and eager to work.

The most common mistake we make is to do a great job on an unimportant task.

Don’t work for a company you would not invest money in, because when you are working you are investing the most valuable thing you have: your time.

You should be willing to look foolish at first, in order to look like a genius later.

The most selfish thing in the world you can do is to be generous. Your generosity will return you ten fold

Discover people whom you love doing “nothing” with, and do nothing with them on a regular basis. The longer you can maintain those relationships, the longer you will live.

Avoid making any kind of important decision when you are either hungry, angry, lonely, or tired (HALT). Just halt when you are HALT.

What others want from you is mostly to be seen. Let others know you see them

A good sign that you are doing the kind of work you should be doing is that you enjoy the tedious parts that other people find tortuous.

Always be radically honest, but use your honesty as a gift not as a weapon. Your honesty should benefit others

If you are more fortunate than others, build a longer table rather than a taller fence.

Work on your tone. Often ideas are rejected because of the tone of voice they are wrapped in. Humility covers many blemishes.

If you are impressed with someone’s work, you should tell them, but even better, tell their boss.