Category Archives: Future

On Travel

Posted on May 29, 2012 by AJ Kessler

When most people think about retirement, they imagine a life full of friends, hobbies, and (likely) travel. To illustrate, think about what you would do if you knew you were going to retire at 65 and die at 75.  You’d … Continue reading →

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A Fool’s Life

Posted on May 26, 2012 by AJ Kessler

The fool, with all his other faults, has this also: he is always getting ready to live.

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The Importance of the Individual

Posted on March 29, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Some interesting emails with readers about Dokkodo, and the merits of a life of service.  Service is important, no doubt, But I still put the individual first.  After all, service of any kind is, eventually, for the benefit of individuals. … Continue reading →

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Those Crazy Anti-Authoritarians

Posted on February 28, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Some fascinating thoughts about psychiatry and anti-authoritarianism: Gaining acceptance into graduate school or medical school and achieving a PhD or MD and becoming a psychologist or psychiatrist means jumping through many hoops, all of which require much behavioral and attentional … Continue reading →

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3.7%

Posted on February 2, 2012 by AJ Kessler

On average, you have 78 years total to live. The first 18-25 are, hopefully, spent learning.   This leaves you with between 53 and 60 years to produce something worthwhile. Spending 2 years doing something you don’t enjoy is 3.4% … Continue reading →

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Everything’s Amazing And Nobody’s Happy

Posted on November 20, 2011 by AJ Kessler

Louis C.K. says it well. Even in these times, life is still so amazing that people just 4 generations ago literally couldn’t even dream of the lifestyles we take for granted.

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The Long View

Posted on November 18, 2011 by AJ Kessler

In Amazon’s first shareholder letter, published in 1997, the first subsection was titled, “It’s all about the long term.”  Jeff Bezos explains why: If everything you do needs to work on a three-year time horizon, then you’re competing against a … Continue reading →

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If You Can Easily Describe What You Do, You’re Fucked

Posted on October 27, 2011 by AJ Kessler

If you’re hanging out with the spouse of someone who is very successful, it’s hilarious to ask them what their spouse does.  Most of the time, they have no idea.  They’ll know what field he’s in, “uh… she works with … Continue reading →

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Chasing Glamor

Posted on September 1, 2011 by AJ Kessler

I want to be an architect so I can design amazing buildings. I want to be a lawyer so I can help people and win big cases. I want to be a rock star so I can make music. These … Continue reading →

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Who Are You?

Posted on July 30, 2011 by AJ Kessler

I’ve been posting a lot of quotes lately, mostly because I’ve been incredibly busy studying for and taking the bar, and partly because the extra motivation helps.  Some of my favorite ideas have come from Marcus Aurelius and his “book” … Continue reading →

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Life is a Concert, Not a Race

Posted on July 19, 2011 by AJ Kessler

Brilliant: :

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Picking Partners

Posted on July 3, 2011 by AJ Kessler

A partner needs three things: intelligence, energy, and integrity.  If they don’t have the last one, don’t even bother with the first two. – Warren Buffett I’m never surprised to learn of a partnership’s demise when I know, hear, or … Continue reading →

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More Shit Won’t Make You Happy

Posted on May 31, 2011 by AJ Kessler

We often hear that having money doesn’t make you happy.  I don’t think most people really believe that though.  Maybe it has something to do with the source.  Most people that say that seem to either not be rich, or … Continue reading →

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Giving It Away

Posted on May 26, 2011 by AJ Kessler

I’ve written before about working for free.  It’s still the best way to get into positions or industries you would never have had a chance to get into if you insisted on being paid for your time.  It’s still a … Continue reading →

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Books Are Souvenirs

Posted on May 15, 2011 by AJ Kessler

People used to read books for two reasons: to gain some knowledge or to be entertained.  For a few hundred years, bound books were about the only good way to store a large amount of information.  People still had voices, … Continue reading →

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