Forget trying to decide what your life’s destiny is. That’s too grand. Instead, just figure out what you should do in the next 2 years.

Try to define yourself by what you love and embrace, rather than what you hate and refuse.

Where you live—what city, what country—has more impact on your well being than any other factor. Where you live is one of the few things in your life you can choose and change.

Once a month take a different route home, enter your house by a different door, and sit in a different chair at dinner. No ruts.

Every now and then throw a memorable party. The price will be steep, but long afterwards you will remember the party, whereas you won’t remember how much is in your checking account.

Most arguments are not really about the argument, so most arguments can’t be won by arguing.

invent your own definition of success. Shoot your arrows first and then paint a bull’s eye around where they land. You’re the winner!

There should be at least one thing in your life you enjoy despite being no good at it. This is your play time, which will keep you young. Never apologize for it.

You have 5 minutes to act on a new idea before it disappears from your mind.

The patience you need for big things, is developed by your patience with the little things.

When you are stuck or overwhelmed, focus on the smallest possible thing that moves your project forward.

For steady satisfaction, work on improving your worst days, rather than your best days.

Your decisions will become wiser when you consider these three words: “…and then what?” for each choice.

If possible, every room should be constructed to provide light from two sides.  Rooms with light from only one side are used less often, so when you have a choice, go with light from two sides.

There is a profound difference between thinking less of yourself (not useful), and thinking of yourself less (better).

Always ask yourself: what would change my mind?

Becoming one-of-a-kind is not a solo job. Paradoxically you need everyone else in the world to help make you unique.

If you need emergency help from a bystander, command them what to do. By giving them an assignment, you transform them from bewildered bystander to a responsible assistant.

The most common mistake we make is to do a great job on an unimportant task.

Don’t work for a company you would not invest money in, because when you are working you are investing the most valuable thing you have: your time.

Fail forward. Failing is not a disgrace if you keep failing better.

Do not cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.

For small tasks the best way to get ready is to do it immediately.

What others want from you is mostly to be seen. Let others know you see them.

When you try something new, don’t think of it as a matter of success / failure, but as success / learning to succeed.

use your honesty as a gift not as a weapon. Your honesty should benefit others.

A good sign that you are doing the kind of work you should be doing is that you enjoy the tedious parts that other people find tortuous.

Celebrating the success of others costs you nothing, and increases the happiness of everyone, including you.

To tell a good story, you must reveal a surprise; otherwise it is just a report.

a long horizon allows you to compound small advances into quite large achievements.

Often ideas are rejected because of the tone of voice they are wrapped in. Humility covers many blemishes.

When you are right, you are learning nothing.

Very small things accumulate until they define your larger life. Carefully choose your everyday things.

If you are impressed with someone’s work, you should tell them, but even better, tell their boss.

Humility is mostly about being very honest about how much you owe to luck.