From the Web Sometimes, it hurts to ask – I’ve written previously on the importance of asking for what you want. Seth here argues a different perspective: don’t ask without permission. Why People Hate Marketers – Chris Guillebeau has a great article about how trust is more important than your conversion rate in an online […]
What the Heck is Spirituality?
Am I the only person who thinks spirituality is an overused word? I love the English language, so I hate to see when a word is applied so frequently it becomes vague and meaningless. Second, I dislike the connotation that spirituality is universally good. Spirituality, according to Wikipedia, the most infallible of sources, is: Spirituality […]
Consistency is an Overrated Virtue
Consistency is often a liability towards self-improvement. If putting pressure to stay who you are, how can you grow into something better? Trying to stay consistent in the eyes of family and friends can slow your growth, as you avoid challenges that don’t fit neatly inside your predefined personality. Consistency and Social Drag Anyone who […]
Don’t Burn Your Ships
Several years ago I heard a story about the importance of commitment to motivation: A general sailed over to an enemy country with his army. While the army slept, he burned the ships down. When they awoke, he told them, since they had no way to get back, they would have to conquer the enemy […]
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.