Quotes from the weekend (Bill Simmons, Holstee, Yours Truly)

Some quotes from the weekend:

From Bill Simmons, who helped start Grantland (paraphrased):

Website are like pants. It’s a lot of work to get them to grow. Then once they do, you have to keep watering the or they die out.

From Holstee who’s manifesto has been around for a while, but it always worth revisiting:

This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don’t like something, change it. If you don’t like your job, quit. If you don’t have enough time, stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you starting doing things you love. Stop over analyzing, life is simple. All emotions are beautiful. When you eat, appreciate every last bite. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often. Getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, seize them. Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them so go out and start creating. Life is short. Live your dream and share your passion.

From UncleLeo’s Blog, Growing up:

Life is about figuring what things make you puke.

 

Replacing variables in purchase decisions

When making decisions, people go with what they know.

For purchases, they know one thing for sure: price.

They also think about what they’d lose. Often, it defaults back to dollars.

And it’s not about losing dollars tomorrow. It’s about losing dollars today.

This is how we’re wired.

So how do we make something more certain than price. And how do we switch the immediate loss from dollars to something else?

Nobody wants to save for retirement. That’s pricey.

[notes from this twitter convo]

Stopping you now

Have you done it? Seen it? Heard it?

Will you get to again next year? Or the year after?

Then do it. See it. Hear it.

What’s stopping you now?

Growing up

Life is about figuring what things make you puke.

It doesn’t take many years to figure out what those things are.

But having the confidence and discipline to avoid them?

That’s the beauty of growing up.

When you have to write

Does your job ever require you to write?

  • Documentation?
  • Newsletter?
  • Monthly promotion?
  • Training?
  • Proposal?
  • Email?
  • Evaluation?

Remember this: avoid using your paycheck as reason to do the writing.

Use the recipient, instead.

They need your words. Money does not.

Assumptions

Check your assumptions.

Discuss them. Hone in on them.

Agree on them.

Now you’re solving real problems.

NOT the ones you assumed existed.

Preparations

Where are you gonna go?

  • When you arrive.
  • Once you’re done.
  • When you’re bored.
  • When you’re tired.
  • When you need to make a call.
  • When you need to pee.
  • When you’re thirsty.
  • When you need help.

Not sure?

Me neither.

Promises

Short reads. No pictures. Weekdays.

Positive. Thought-provoking. Relevant.

Timeless. Honest. Growing.

The promises of this site.

What are yours for your work?

Day of Atonement?

The plan was to not publish a post today. Or, perhaps I would publish but claim I wrote and scheduled it way in advance.

The plan was to act as if I am not working today.

Why?

It’s Yom Kippur.

Don’t work, because that’s what Sandy Koufax did (or didn’t do) in the 1965 World Series.

Don’t work because today’s the holiest day of the year for Jews.

Don’t work because God is watching.

But that’s not the truth.

I am working today.

Maybe it’s because I don’t work the man anymore. There’s no opportunity to take a “free” day off (or not work to avoid hearing Gentiles ask why I’m working today).

Maybe it’s because my days are reflective enough every day. This blog is practically a daily atonement.

Maybe it’s because I thrive on being different.

Maybe it’s because I DO want to reap the fruits of my labor today.

Maybe it’s because I was sufficiently moved by the Temple Israel Kol Nidre service we live streamed and projected on our rooftop last night. (Don’t be rigid with your religion, I learned).

Maybe this post is my form of prayer.

Who knows.

Yom Kippur is about trying to be a better person. Being grateful. Truthful.

I do that shit every day and so should you.

Happy Yom Kippur.

Anointed with gladness

Money leads to happiness.

But to a point.

Happiness leads to money.

All that you could ever need.

So get just enough — enough so you’re not sad.

Then get another goal. One which will make you a legend.