A misunderstanding should never derail a...

A misunderstanding should never derail a friendship. It should strengthen it. If someone becomes your enemy after a misunderstanding - these aren't the type of friends you want in your circle. You can grow without them.

The faulty narrative I always tell myself is...

The faulty narrative I always tell myself is that someday I'm going find enough pieces in books that I'm going to put the puzzle together into an answer for all of these questions that I have —not just about terrible, sad things, like why people have to suffer or why our lives are diminished by the arrangement of the world, but also the wondrous things like love, and the attractions people feel for each other intellectually and otherwise, all of it. I always make the mistake, though, in thinking that I'm going to read my way to the answer. It’s only through my habitual disappointment with the philosophers that I am reminded that there are other experiences that have to happen in order for us to really know anything.

Metacognition is the capacity or skill to...

Metacognition is the capacity or skill to become aware of one’s own mental process. So on the one hand it seems kind of obvious, but if you say, today I’m going to try to notice and simply just notice a part of my mental process I had not yet been aware of. Now that’s interesting because what that is, it’s not just an observational thing. You’ll notice it opens doors to things you never thought of.

Remember to connect with...

Remember to connect with people now and then. In fact, pick up the phone, right now, and call a friend for no other reason than to say hi.

If you don’t get...

If you don’t get everything you want, think of the things you don’t get that you don’t want.

A happy person isn’t someone who’s...

A happy person isn’t someone who’s happy all the time.  It’s someone who effortlessly interprets events in such a way that they don’t lose their innate peace.

The attachment to beliefs is...

The attachment to beliefs is the greatest shackle. To be free is to know that One does not know.

There will be no one like us when...

There will be no one like us when we are gone, but then there is no one like anyone else, ever. When people die, they cannot be replaced. They leave holes that cannot be filled, for it is the fate—the genetic and neural fate—of every human being to be a unique individual, to find his own path, to live his own life, to die his own death.

Money can’t buy happiness, but the absence of...

Money can’t buy happiness, but the absence of money can cause unhappiness. Money buys freedom: intellectual freedom, freedom to choose who you vote for, to choose what you want to do professionally. But having what I call “fuck you” money requires a huge amount of discipline. The minute you go a penny over, then you lose your freedom again. If money is the cause of your worry, then you have to restructure your life.

More people determine the fates of others without having to...

More people determine the fates of others without having to pay the consequences. Skin in the game means you own your own risk. It means people who make decisions in any walk of life should never be insulated from the consequences of those decisions, period. If you’re a helicopter repairman, you should be a helicopter rider.

Reach out and...

Reach out and help others. If you have the power to make someone happy, do it. Be a vessel, be the change, be the difference, or be the inspiration. Shine your light as an example. The world needs more of that. Be the reason people still believe in genuine intentions, gentle souls, and hearts of gold.

Most lucky events in life are...

Most lucky events in life are opportunities, not outcomes. The value of an opportunity changes depending on how it is treated. Without effort, good luck becomes a missed opportunity. With effort, good luck can become a life-changing event. You need luck and hard work. It's not either/or. It's both/and. The result will not walk through the door on its own.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

You'll realize one day why the timing of...

You'll realize one day why the timing of everything in your life was perfect, why everything had to happen the way it did. To protect you, to guide you & redirect you to where you were meant to be. Trust the process of your evolution, it's all divine timing for your highest self.

Avoiding Stupidity is Easier Than Seeking Brilliance

Avoiding Stupidity is Easier Than Seeking Brilliance. The point is that most of us are amateurs but we refuse to believe it. This is a problem because we’re often playing the game of the professionals. What we should do in this case, when we’re the amateur, is to invert the problem. Rather than trying to win, we should avoid losing.

If criticism from...

If criticism from outside proves devastating, it is because it so readily joins forces with an infinitely more strident and more aggressive form of criticism that has long existed inside of us.

Imagine if you died today

Imagine if you died today. What would your obituary say? If you don’t like that answer, then you need to get off of your ass and get to work. As long as you are still breathing, there is more work to do. Go be somebody.

Every great opportunity has many...

Every great opportunity has many reasons why it could fail. You have to trust your ability to solve problems along the way. People who look for reasons why things won't work, struggle to take action. People who look for reasons why things will work—and solve problems as they arise—make things happen.

Mental toughness immediately increases when...

Mental toughness immediately increases when you find the right subject. You're more likely to stick with things when you're genuinely interested.

The bravest leaders and contributors aren’t worried about...

The bravest leaders and contributors aren’t worried about appearing afraid. It allows them to see the world more clearly.

Set goals that'll...

Set goals that'll make you shake in your knees and at the same time, light a fire under you.

One defeat doesn't make you a...

One defeat doesn't make you a loser. One success doesn't make you a winner. Life is about the continuous art of upgrading yourself daily.

Pain is largely determined by the...

Pain is largely determined by the mind’s expectation of pain. Remove the expectation and you can often remove the pain. Add expectation (i.e., tell yourself that "words are violence" for instance) and you will experience pain where none is necessary.

Our beliefs are part of a number of...

Our beliefs are part of a number of systems within our lives. If we believe that people will hate us, then we are more likely to behave in ways that make people hate us, thus justifying the belief. If we believe we will do well on a test, we are more likely to feel motivated and engaged on that test, thus causing us to do well.

Being pleasant and having a good attitude is a...

Being pleasant and having a good attitude is a simple way to become luckier. Opportunities come through people, and people are more likely to bring opportunities to people they like. It's hard to win if your attitude adds friction to every interpersonal experience.

Most people optimize for the...

Most people optimize for the day ahead. A few people optimize for 1-2 years ahead. Almost nobody optimizes for 3-4 years ahead (or longer). The person who is willing to delay gratification longer than most reduces competition and gains a decisive advantage.

The only disturbance there is...

The only disturbance there is a feeling of leaving one's comfort zone. If you aim for the better, fear not!

Know your limits

Know your limits, but operate without boundaries. Only you have the power to control your emotions. Use it.

To say “don’t judge” is close to...

To say “don’t judge” is close to impossible. We are human, judging is an instinct we have. In many cases, maybe we can realize we are judging and not make an evaluation of someone without further getting to know them.

If you’re truly great your results will...

If you’re truly great your results will show for it. Pointing out the inferiority of others is what delusional people with no results do to feel better about themselves. What other people can & can’t do is irrelevant to your process & your results.

Don’t be intimidated by...

Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.