Understand the rules so you know how to break them. Everyone operates under a set of rules and expectations for themselves. If you plan on being more than mediocre you need to notice these rules and learn which ones to break. Creative and innovative solutions generally come because someone decided to break a hidden assumption. […]
Set Worthy Challenges
What are you more likely to achieve, a goal to earn twenty thousand dollars a year in sales or a goal to earn a hundred thousand? Rationally it would seem obvious that setting the smaller goal makes its attainment more likely. Recently, however, I’ve started to have my doubts that this seemingly logical conclusion holds […]
Imitate Your Way to Success – Osmosis
You become part of your environment. Surround yourself with certain values, behaviors and skills and you start to pick them up yourself. Like a sponge, your mind soaks up what ever it is repeatedly exposed to. This process can allow you to passively adopt more empowering behaviors and beliefs. But, just as a sponge repeatedly […]
Imitate Your Way to Success – Observation
Every person you meet is a teacher. Everyone has unique skills and distinctions that you can learn from. Modeling a specific few of those people by observing what gives them their skills and distinctions can allow you to replicate that ability quickly and effectively. By carefully selecting role-models and using simple methods to elicit their […]
I'm a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, computer programmer and an avid reader. Since 2006, I've published weekly essays on this website to help people like you learn and think better. My work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, TEDx, Pocket, Business Insider and more. I don't promise I have all the answers, just a place to start.