103 Bits of Advice I Wish I Had Known

Productivity is often a distraction. Don’t aim for better ways to get through your tasks as quickly as possible, rather aim for better tasks that you never want to stop doing.

You cannot get smart people to work extremely hard just for money.

When you don’t know how much to pay someone for a particular task, ask them “what would be fair” and their answer usually is.

90% of everything is crap. If you think you don’t like opera, romance novels, TikTok, country music, vegan food, NFTs, keep trying to see if you can find the 10% that is not crap.

Getting cheated occasionally is the small price for trusting the best of everyone, because when you trust the best in others, they generally treat you best.

For the best results with your children, spend only half the money you think you should, but double the time with them.

Purchase the most recent tourist guidebook to your home town or region. You’ll learn a lot by playing the tourist once a year.

When introduced to someone make eye contact and count to 4. You’ll both remember each other.

If you loan someone $20 and you never see them again because they are avoiding paying you back, that makes it worth $20.

Criticize in private, praise in public.

There is no such thing as being “on time.” You are either late or you are early. Your choice.

Denying or deflecting a compliment is rude. Accept it with thanks, even if you believe it is not deserved.

It’s thrilling to be extremely polite to rude strangers.