A great deal of self-improvement advice is based on one principle: if the cost of failure is low, taking action and making mistakes beats doing nothing. This isn’t motivational hype, it’s common sense. If the upside is great, and the downside is minimal, why not roll the dice? Unfortunately, few people actually ask themselves what […]
Adam Smith’s Definition of Productivity
I recently finished reading Adam Smith’s landmark book, The Wealth of Nations. It was written in 1776 and is widely considered to be the basis of the study of economics. One of the few interesting points I grabbed from the book was how Adam Smith defined productivity. Smith divided up labor into two broad categories, […]
Self-Improvement Tip: Ride the Wave of Moving Day
Have you tried to surf without any waves before? It probably isn’t much fun. Catching the right waves can make a big difference. I’ve been thinking about how self-improvement often works the same way. With the right wave, you can make huge improvements with relative ease. One of those waves is moving day. That is, […]
You Don’t Need to Be an Expert
Don’t let a lack of expertise hold you back. It’s unfortunate, but many people believe that they need a degree and years of experience before they can start doing something important. While there are a few extreme cases this is true, for the vast majority it’s a complete lie. I started this website when I […]
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.