Category Archives: Self-Improvement

Solve The Right Problem

Posted on March 17, 2012 by AJ Kessler

In 1959, long before the X-prize, Henry Kremer offered 50,000 pounds to anyone who could finally build a flying machine powered only by the pilot’s body power.  All an entrant had to do was fly in a figure eight around … Continue reading →

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One Easy Step To Flatter People, Show You Care, and Demonstrate Your Dedication

Posted on March 14, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Don’t be ashamed to need help.  Like a soldier storming a wall, you have a mission to accomplish.  And if you’ve been wounded and you need a comrade to pull you up?  So what? – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations Book 7 … Continue reading →

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Busyness

Posted on March 13, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Cal Newport over at Study Hacks makes an interesting observation about which MIT professors are more likely to disappear from campus during breaks: Interestingly, the biggest predictor of a professor leaving was status: the more important a person’s work, the … Continue reading →

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Unimaginable Sameness

Posted on March 12, 2012 by AJ Kessler

What’s the worst part about prison? One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich is all you need to know about Ivan Denisovich, because the idea that anyone could live for a minute in such circumstances seems impossible; one day … Continue reading →

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Regret

Posted on March 10, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Interesting explanation for something we have all experienced: Imagine that you have a flight at 8:00 in the morning. Which would be worse, arriving at the gate, breathless, at 8:02, just after they’ve closed the door, or at 10:00, thanks … Continue reading →

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The Only Motivation Tip You’ll Ever Need

Posted on March 5, 2012 by AJ Kessler

San Franciscans and New Yorkers spent years fighting to get nutrition information like calorie counts listed on menus.  After all, if people only knew what kind of crap they were shoveling into their maws they’d surely change their behavior, right? … Continue reading →

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Why Sharing Your Goals Dooms You To Failure

Posted on March 3, 2012 by AJ Kessler

If you want to accomplish something, it makes sense to tell people about it.  After all, you might be able to collaborate with someone already working on something similar, or gain some ideas and insights from someone who has done … Continue reading →

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Stop. Breathe. Think.

Posted on March 1, 2012 by AJ Kessler

One of the things law schools sear into students is the ability, and tendency, to argue.  An early emphasis on being able to argue both sides of any case breeds people who argue just for the sake of argument.  Shockingly, … Continue reading →

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Make The Secret A Lot More Trouble Than The Trick Seems Worth

Posted on February 25, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Good advice for magic, and life: Make the secret a lot more trouble than the trick seems worth. You will be fooled by a trick if it involves more time, money and practice than you (or any other sane onlooker) would … Continue reading →

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Creativity in Isolation

Posted on February 23, 2012 by AJ Kessler

There’s been a lot of talk in the last few years about the benefit human interaction lends the creative process.  The thinking goes that experts in one field, when interacting with experts in some other field, will find new ways … Continue reading →

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Level of Difficulty Matters

Posted on February 22, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Doing the same easy thing over and over again doesn’t usually lead to success.  Of course, neither does taking on impossible tasks that never get off the ground. The better way is to constantly take on those things that seem … Continue reading →

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The Passion Myth

Posted on February 20, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Find something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. Right? Bullshit. Nobody on Earth wakes up every single day restlessly waiting to take on the world.  Such passion doesn’t exist.  If you’re really, really lucky, and … Continue reading →

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What You Should Focus On

Posted on February 19, 2012 by AJ Kessler

A good reminder:

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Impatience as a Virtue

Posted on February 13, 2012 by AJ Kessler

You’re impatient with everyone else.  You yell at other cars in traffic who don’t move up fifteen feet.  You’re impatient with the old lady who’s writing a check in front of you at the cashier.  You’re impatient with your roommate, … Continue reading →

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Selfish Expression

Posted on February 12, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Certain words or phrases, or demeanors, or attitudes convey certain things.  Your every action makes an expression, either bolstering or betraying you.  Stand up straight, look people in the eye, speak clearly and without hesitation, and people are inclined to … Continue reading →

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