An Incomplete and Growing List of Things I’ve Learned

The secret to happiness is lowered expectations, thus minimizing disappointment.

Assume success; it facilitates decision-making.

Remember the past. Consider the future. Live in the moment.

Though it may not be immediately obvious, there is value in every experience.

There’s always time to do it twice. There’s never time to do it right.

People don’t notice half the shit you think they do.

Steal good ideas. For example, “Fulfillment cannot come when the present moment is merely a struggle to bear in service of the future, because that future is destined to become nothing more than the struggle of a new present, and the glorious end state never arrives. If we want to find true satisfaction, we must instead focus on the walk that is life, with its string of present moments.” (AC Brooks, The Atlantic Monthly, 9.16.21)

Life is short, drink the good wine first.

If it’s been on your desk for a month, it’s garbage.

If you imagine it, it’s a wish. If you write it down, it’s a goal.

There’s no such thing as bad weather, there is only inappropriate clothing.

It takes fewer facial muscles to smile than it does to frown.

You can love your job. It won’t love you back.

Enjoy dogs.

Everything in moderation—including moderation.

Use your disposable income on experiences—meals, travel, good wine with others.

Write, paint, photograph, play music; find an artistic hobby and escape to it regularly.

Find an inspiring mentor.

Given the opportunity, mentor others.

Learn to play the piano, even if just a little.

Learn to dance, even if just a little.

There are two kinds of luck.

Sure, it’s better to give than receive, but that all depends on what it is that you’re receiving.

Be responsive.

Consider aggressive benign neglect, which can often be effective.

Become expert in one thing but stay humble; one can always learn more.

(Corollary: the older I get, the more I realize I don’t know.)

We live in the world of the possible.

If you hear hoofbeats, suspect horses, not zebras.

The only way to trust someone… is to trust them.

A novel is an incredible thing. An excellent novel is a treasure.

Work smarter, not harder.

You can only do the best you can do.

You can never lose with the truth.

No answer… is also an answer.

Good stress is also stress.

Whoever wants it more in a negotiation, loses.

Don’t negotiate with yourself. You’ll always lose.

Friendship must be nurtured.

Less is more. (Perhaps this should have gone first and comprised the entire list.)

Many of these have been stolen from various sources: friends, family, mentors, McDonald’s placemats. (See # 7.)