Category Archives: Inspiration

The Small Change in Perception That Can Change Your Life

Posted on October 22, 2011 by AJ Kessler

Who has a higher tolerance for pain: those who experience an acute injury, lots of pain at one time, or those who constantly suffer from pain?  The answer is counter-intuitive, and the potential reason is fascinating. Dan Ariely has found … Continue reading →

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Now’s The Best Time To Be Poor

Posted on October 18, 2011 by AJ Kessler

I don’t mean “now” in terms of the Gregorian calendar, though it’s unquestionably true that it’s better to be “poor” now than at any other time in history, but “now” in terms of whatever stage of life you’re at. If … Continue reading →

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Warning: Practice Does Not Make Perfect

Posted on October 17, 2011 by AJ Kessler

Practice makes permanent. Practice can sear technique into your brain and muscles.  It can enable you to do something without much conscious effort. Obviously, that can be problematic.  If you practice sloppy technique, that’s going to become your default.  If … Continue reading →

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How To Tell A Story People Can’t Turn Away From

Posted on October 16, 2011 by AJ Kessler

Great video from Ira Glass about how to turn even the most mundane story into something compelling:

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The Problem With Beginning

Posted on October 15, 2011 by AJ Kessler

The problem with starting any new creative endeavor is that you’re going to suck at it.  Even when you become a professional, depending on your field, most of your work is still going to suck. There’s a terrible irony at … Continue reading →

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Use Oterap’s Principle To Live A Miserable Life

Posted on October 14, 2011 by AJ Kessler

Pareto’s principle states that a mere 20% of the causes produce 80% of the effects.  Cool, right?  People like Tim Ferriss, who made his name exploiting this principle to its fullest, have shown that you can produce extraordinary results by … Continue reading →

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How To Ruin Your Life

Posted on October 13, 2011 by AJ Kessler

It can ruin your life only if it ruins your character.  Otherwise it cannot harm you — inside or out. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations Book 4.8 A little preachy and smarmy for us modern folk?  Maybe.  But it’s still true.  And, … Continue reading →

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Yes, It Matters, Even If No One Sees

Posted on October 12, 2011 by AJ Kessler

For the first thirty years of your life, you make your habits. For the last thirty years of your life, your habits make you. – Old Hindu Proverb We tell kids that their homework is important, even when we know … Continue reading →

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When To Finish

Posted on October 11, 2011 by AJ Kessler

We talked last week about the importance of quitting.  Now, not paradoxically, we should talk about when to finish. Mastery is important.  It not only makes you a master of something, it teaches you how to learn and it builds … Continue reading →

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How To Set A Goal

Posted on October 10, 2011 by AJ Kessler

Most people set horrible goals. Because of this, they never even get close to reaching them. “Lose 10 pounds.” “Earn $100,000 next year.” “Spend more time with my family.” If you set goals like this, you have a 0% chance … Continue reading →

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“You Can’t Compete On My Level”

Posted on October 9, 2011 by AJ Kessler

Someone said that to me today. It’s 100% true. He’s been doing this for 30 years, and he’s goddamned good at it.  Unlike most people, he doesn’t have 1 year of experience 30 times over, or even 5 years of … Continue reading →

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The Necessity of No

Posted on October 9, 2011 by AJ Kessler

Most people saw the iPad as a revolutionary, unexpected device.  Some people thought it would never sell, or that it was a useless, stupid device. But, journalists and people on tech blogs and forums had been clamoring for Apple to … Continue reading →

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Quit

Posted on October 8, 2011 by AJ Kessler

Stephen Dubner, author of Freakonomics, also runs podcast by the same name.  He recently put out an episode titled “The Upside of Quitting” that was full of interesting thoughts.  Full transcript here, and my favorite quote below. “A quitter never … Continue reading →

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How to Earn Their Trust and Stop the Nagging

Posted on October 7, 2011 by AJ Kessler

There’s generally a big lag time between the time you make a change and the time that change is recognized. You undoubtedly noticed this as a child.  You demonstrate you know something, or know how to perform some task, but … Continue reading →

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