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Author Archives: AJ Kessler
Entrepreneurs: Learn From Artists; Artists From Entrepreneurs
A lot of artists have problems shipping work, myself included. It’s scary. An artist’s work is the most intimate reflection of his own taste, views, and values. Putting work out into the world leaves an artist vulnerable to critique, criticism, … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Art, Business, Creativity, Inspiration, Photography, Self-Improvement
Tagged Art, Artists, Creation, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Shipping
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Cheating Work
I’ve had this Seth Godin post on my mind the last couple of days. It’s good. I thought I’d throw it up here so I don’t lose it: If you’re going to work, work hard. That way, you’ll have something … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Food For Thought, Inspiration, Productivity, Quotes, Self-Improvement
Tagged Hatred, Progress, Results, Seth Godin, Work Hard
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Relax
On a mini vacation in Palm Springs. Â It was 115 degrees today. Â What do you do in Palm Springs, in the summer, when it’s 115 degrees? Â Well, the sane half of the area’s residents leave town: many shops and restaurants … Continue reading
Posted in Productivity, Travel
Tagged ADD, ADHD, Brain, Dating, Life, Partnership, Relaxation, Travel, Unwinding, Vacation
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Envy’s Benefit
Each sin, at least in the short term, has some enjoyment attached to it, except one: envy, which just makes you sick. It’s a complete waste. -Warren Buffett
Free Will Doesn’t Exist?
I would guess most people in the U.S. believe in free will. It’s nice to think that we actually have control over our thoughts, decisions, actions, and ultimately, our lives. But do we? This piece in the Atlantic seems to … Continue reading
Posted in Diet, Food For Thought, Rationality, Self-Improvement
Tagged Brain, Chemistry, Crime, Criminal Law, Free Will, irrationality, Neurology
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Why Atheists Need Church
I went to church today. Many churches, in fact. Walking around Vienna’s tiny Old City, it’s hard not to run into a church. My feet got tired, so I sat down in one of the few available seats, which happened … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Creativity, Inspiration, Rationality, Self-Improvement
Tagged Church, Enlightenment, Epiphany, Meditation, Religion
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Entrepreneurs are Artists
How did Michaelangelo sculpt the Pieta? How did a deaf Beethoven compose his famous 9th Symphony? How did Van Gogh paint Starry Night? Where did these things come from? According to Steve Blank: They’re visions. And founders do the exact … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Business, Creativity, Inspiration, Quotes, Self-Improvement
Tagged Artist, Entrepreneur, Founders, Steve Blank
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Real Art Doesn’t Use Crutches
The other day I talked about how Christopher Nolan masterfully used the “mystique” trigger to propel The Dark Knight to rake in over $1 Billion at the box office, worldwide. In that post, I asked: So, since the archetype of … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Creativity, Inspiration, Quotes, Style
Tagged Art, Ending, Gimmick, M. Night Shyamalan, Movies, Sixth Sense, Twist
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Children: Master Behavioral Economists
People like Dan Ariely and BJ Fogg have made careers studying and explaining behavior and how to influence it. People who master these skills have massive success. Dealmakers like Scott Boras and Richard Lovett have made hundreds of millions of … Continue reading
Posted in Business, Quotes, Rationality
Tagged Anchoring, Customer Service, HBR, irrationality
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Four Steps To Hacking Anything
Great insights from an interview with Tim Ferris, all-around life hacker and author of the The 4-Hour Workweek and The 4-Hour Body. These are the four steps he follows to figure out how to get meaningful results without spending what … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Inspiration, Productivity, Quotes, Self-Improvement
Tagged Hacking, Productivity, Tim Ferris
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How To Make $1 Billion In One Summer And Get Whatever You Want
The lights dim, just a little bit, in that cavernous, air-conditioned hall. This is my favorite part. There’s so much promise and intrigue. It’s impossible to feel let down. That familiar lime-green image flickers to life, letting the audience know … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Business, Creativity, Food For Thought, Inspiration, Persuasion, Quotes, Style
Tagged Batman, Fascinate, Hollywood, Mystery, Mystique, Psychology, Reveal, The Dark Knight
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Your Midsize Ego Will Ruin You
Ego can be a very good thing. But we’ve all seen, or been, the guy with no ego who seems to constantly get stuck in the friend-zone. We’ve also witnessed the the downfall of many a politician, done in by … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Food For Thought, Inspiration, Quotes, Self-Improvement
Tagged Amazon, Bravery, Courage, Ego, Pixar
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How To Make Meetings Productive
Everyone has been forced to sit in meetings that stretch on forever about something that’s either irrelevant, unimportant, or that they’re uninformed about. Say someone’s giving a talk about a new technology that’s going to be implemented. Most people have … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Business, Food For Thought, Law, Productivity
Tagged Law Firm, Office, Planning, Productivity, Record, Video
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Stop Waiting For The Right Idea
Ideas aren’t a dime a dozen. Ideas a free, by the thousands. Don’t believe me? http://www.sixmonthmba.com/2009/02/999ideas.html Stop waiting for the perfect idea. There is no such thing. Just start.
Posted in Advice, Business, Inspiration, Self-Improvement
Tagged Execution, Idea, Improve, Pivot, Ship, Start
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