Subscribe Via RSS:
This blog is updated Daily.
Author Archives: AJ Kessler
Don’t Work. Be Hated. Love Someone.
A commencement speech full of contrarian advice, some of it totally wrong, but definitely worth reading and thinking about: You’ve probably been told the big lie that “Learning is a lifelong processâ€and that therefore you will continue studying and taking … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Choice, Food For Thought, Quotes
Tagged Goal, Graduation, Life, Plans, Speech
Leave a comment
Big Money
There’s a not-so-strange tendency for people make really poor financial decisions when there’s a lot of money involved. If you’re buying a $50,000 car that comes with 17″ aluminum wheels, but the salesman offers you the fancy 18″ chrome wheels … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Choice, Food For Thought, Psychology, Rationality, Self-Improvement
Tagged Dream, Goals, Money, Personal Finance, Plan, Savings, Value
Leave a comment
How To Beat Distraction
Everyone gets distracted. Â We’re wired to. Â Those of us who weren’t didn’t get to pass their genes along. Â Everyone can be sucked into procrastination mode, even if you really love what you do. Â (Which is why you should schedule your … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Choice, Food For Thought, Psychology, Self-Improvement
Tagged Distraction, Meditation, Psychology, Quiet, Reflection
1 Comment
Psychology of Morality
At least one study shows that our default setting might be to cheat.  Only when we have a bit of time for reflection does our penchant for morality kick in: Dr Shalvi, Dr Eldar and Dr Bereby-Meyer gave each of 76 … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Business, Food For Thought, Psychology, Self-Improvement
Tagged Liar, Lie, Psychology, Truth
Leave a comment
Plodding Wins The Race
The hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. “I have never yet been beaten,” he said. Â “I challenge anyone here to race with me.” The Tortoise said quietly, “I accept your challenge.” “That’s funny,” said the … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Art, Business, Creativity, Food For Thought, Inspiration, Quotes, Self-Improvement
Tagged Aesop, Fable, Success, Work Ethic
Leave a comment
Mystery
The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious — the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. – Albert Einstein It’s no coincidence that we’re so driven by mystery: the unknown is what … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Food For Thought, Inspiration, Quotes
Tagged Albert Einstein, Creativity, Fear, Mysterious, Mystery, Unknown
Leave a comment
Create More Than You Consume
It’s very easy to consume. Â We’ve created a culture that glamorizes it. Â Television and internet access alone are unending conveyer belts, delivering as much distraction and escapism as you can possibly guzzle. Â But we also have magazines, books, movie theaters, … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Art, Business, Choice, Creativity, Food For Thought, Inspiration, Productivity, Self-Improvement
Tagged Consume, Consumption, Create, Creativity, Time Tracking
2 Comments
Happiness Obligation
Other people don’t have an obligation to make you happy. You have an obligation to those around you to be happy. Â Even if you’re not, you have an obligation to appear happy. Â Fake it, if necessary. Don’t bum out your … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Choice, Food For Thought, Inspiration, Psychology, Rationality
Tagged Choice, Happiness, Life, Success
Leave a comment
On Luck, Part 2
Yesterday we discussed why successful people actually consider themselves lucky (not because random events tend to directly benefit them, but because they find ways to exploit the random events, good or bad, that they do encounter). With this philosophy in … Continue reading
On Luck
Luck is an interesting concept. Â Many of the successful people I know consider themselves lucky. Â Not just from a “I’m lucky to have been successful” standpoint, but from a “chance events usually seem to benefit me” standpoint. Â Part of this … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Food For Thought, Inspiration, Self-Improvement
Tagged Disappointment, Luck, Opportunity
1 Comment
Creativity and the Importance of Disappointment
I’m just diving into Jonah Lehrer’s new book on creativity, Imagine: How Creativity Works. Â We’ve discussed creativity here extensively, and even addressed how to be creative, but I hope to share some new insights from this book soon. Â In the … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Business, Creativity, Food For Thought, Inspiration, Psychology, Quotes
Tagged Creativity, Jonah Lehrer, Psychology
Leave a comment
How To Write, Part 2
John Steinbeck, in a lengthy interview with the Paris Review (all of which is worth reading)Â shares some thoughts on writing: 1. Abandon the idea that you are ever going to finish. Lose track of the 400 pages and write just … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Art, Creativity, Inspiration, Productivity, Quotes, Tips
Tagged Habit Building, John Steinbeck, Writing
Leave a comment
The Most Astounding Fact About The Universe
You may have seen Neil deGrasse Tyson’s quote about what he considers to be the most astounding fact about the universe, but it’s even more impressive when mashed up by Max Schlickenmeyer:
Posted in Art, Creativity, Food For Thought, Inspiration, Psychology, Quotes, Rationality, Video
Tagged Humanity, Life, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Space
Leave a comment
How To Break A Habit
We’ve talked before about building habits. Â That’s important. Â But so is breaking habits. Â Luckily, unlike forcing yourself to repeatedly do something new and scary, breaking existing habits isn’t nearly as hard. Â One of the easiest ways is simply to substitute … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Art, Business, Choice, Creativity, Food For Thought, Inspiration, Persuasion, Productivity, Psychology, Quotes, Rationality, Self-Improvement, Video
Tagged Change, Habits
Leave a comment
Worthy Ideals?
[E]verybody has certain ideals which determine the direction of his endeavors and his judgments. In this sense I have never looked upon ease and happiness as ends in themselves — such an ethical basis I call more proper for a … Continue reading
.