·What I learned

59 things I have learned in 59 years

  • On my 59’th anniversary on this planet, here are 59 things I have learned. Many of which I now wish I had learned earlier in life.
  • The Obstacle is the Way
  • Every great Hero had a guide.
  • Maintain a bias toward action.
  • External things can’t fix internal issues.
  • Happiness is a choice
  • Apply the Eisenhower Box to my To-Do list.
  • Maintain a “not do” list
  • In our journey, we never arrive.
  • You only have one problem in this world. What is the next right action.
  • The best (anything) is a paid for (anything).
  • Between procrastination and burnout is Flow. Find the flow.
  • Our minds are free and clear. Unless we take on debt
  • Value what is under your means and you will always be satisfied.
  • Value giving more than receiving.
  • Explain complex topics to a six year old and everyone will understand.
  • We feel fast and think slow. Give yourself time to think.
  • Don’t believe everything you think.
  • Deal with it. Don’t deny it.
  • Just keep living.
  • The actions you choose are your journey. Thoughts and emotions are the weather.
  • Endless pleasure becomes it’s own form of punishment.
  • the only thing truly in your power is your own reasoned choice.
  • What is Happy? absence of attachment or desire.
  • Formula for the good life? Acknowledge limited information, values and biases. Make the best decision you can. Detach from the outcome. Repeat until dead.
  • When someone triggers you, respond with “When you…, I Feel…, because my mind tells myself a story that…
  • Self imposed prisons include anger, resentment, envy, regret.
  • You don’t control the world around you, only how you respond to it.
  • Practice the Pause
  • Stay Curious
  • Actions reveal values
  • I create all meaning in my life.
  • The brain is a pattern matching machine. Pay attention the patterns you train it with.
  • Make your bed in the morning so when you come home regardless of the quality of your day, you will see a success.
  • Keep a pen and paper by your bed.
  • Non-action is an action.
  • Kindness is never a bad response.
  • Understanding > being right.
  • Creation > Consumption
  • What if the opposite were true?
  • Stories trump “facts”
  • Play to your strengths.
  • Separate the message from the messenger.
  • Simplification > Optimization
  • How many shit sandwiches are you willing to eat to get what you want?
  • Get comfortable with probabilistic thinking.
  • Do you want to be happy or right?
  • Discard weasel words from your life.
  • When triggered, ask one question: Is my reaction helpful?
  • You will never regret taking the most favorable view of a situation.
  • Having Judgement is essential, Being Judgmental is a choice.
  • Have strong opinions, weakly held.
  • Practice the Hudson Bay Start.
  • Accept all bids for connection.
  • Maybe what we want sucks.
  • Your mileage may vary.

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