Assume misunderstanding

It’s possible that you were undermined, endangered, cut off, or disrespected. But if we begin with that, then the relationship gets shaky. Perhaps the other person simply didn’t understand. It might be that they are focused on their issues, not yours. It could be that they’re dealing with something you don’t see. And most likely, they simply might not know what you’re expecting or hoping for. When we assume misunderstanding, we open the door to something better. We can find empathy and connection by giving people the benefit of the doubt. Clarity, not grievance, is the solution to misunderstanding.

Your life is simply your days

Few people use the mind; fewer use the heart; and truly unique are those who use both. Your life is simply your days, accumulated. Did today's habits contribute to the life you want to build? If the version of you from five years ago could see your life today, what would surprise them most?

Increase your recovery speed

Increase your recovery speed. You can't avoid failures. You will get rejected. Make bad decisions. Lose money. Embarrass yourself. Whatever. Just learn to reset faster. Shrink the window between fall and recovery. Master the art of the fresh start.

Stop expecting achievement to satisfy you

Ambition becomes a superpower when you stop expecting achievement to satisfy you and learn to love the pursuit itself. It’s hard to see what you’re not looking for, and it’s easy to see what you’re looking for.

Making your unknown known

Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant; there is no such thing. Making your unknown known is important. Focus less on winning; focus more on improving.

Short term dumb, long term smart

Culture provides scaffolding, and learning happens over time. The result is that we’re each capable of extraordinary feats. People can fly planes, ski down mountains, figure out how to use Photoshop, or solve a crossword puzzle. When things are new, we’re often terrible at it. People didn’t know how to use the microwave oven, the dishwasher, or the buttons on the car radio when they were first introduced. Most people exhibit this skill only after months or years of exposure, combined with cultural forces that educate and normalize the behavior.

Emotional hygiene

Our culture creates traps and opportunities. There’s social and commercial pressure to engage in activities and jobs that don’t serve us very well. Persistent emotional turmoil can undermine our peace of mind, and it might be caused by an ongoing spiral that’s fueled by the short-term choices we make. Cultural and economic pressure can make those choices feel non-optional, but if we can protect ourselves early, we may be able to create enough value for others that our hygienic choices easily pay for themselves.