Maxims for a happy life

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A hearty collection of the JC’s pithiest adages.
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Maxims for a happy life.

Coin metaphors. Be figurative.

Be predator, not prey.

It's okay to generalise. It's okay to stereotype. That's how humans work. We apply heuristics. Just be aware that you're doing it. Sometimes generalisations are unfair. Sometimes they fail. Remember they are provisional. It's okay for others to stereotype you too. Deal with it. It's not like you'll be able to stop them.

There are no outsized risks or rewards at the top of the curve. They are down the tail.

It's not just "not all Heroes wear capes". Heroes don't wear capes. Heroes don’t try to be heroes.

Heroes don't seek validation, either. Only needy people need validation.

Don't be needy. Walk up escalators. Give up your seat.

Change direction by 5, not 45, degrees. But lock in the change. Rome wasn't built in a day - but it was built. a 5% change is less volatile, more sustainable, more controllable. see evolution: optimal degree of ariability. If you vary to much, you'll change away the good stuff.

Play two touch football. Make five yard passes. But for god’s sake pass the ball. Don’t try to be a hero.

This time isn't different. The laws of physics, finance and economics still apply. Even with blockchain. Just as they did in the dot com boom and the global financial crisis.

The Dead Poet's Rule: There's no machine for judging poetry.


The pitch

You

What you've got

Confidence

Mental space

Learn

Your nose

Others

  • Don’t be intimidated: they’re more scared than you are.
  • First question: cui bono?
  • Assume they’re talking their own book until you know otherwise. Value people who don’t.
  • Insiders have an interest in making what they do seem hard.
  • Challenge. Require an explanation. What a professional can’t explain, she doesn’t understand. If she can’t explain it, it’s probably bullshit.

The team

  • Disregard rank. Seniors must earn your respect. You must earn it from juniors.
  • Your team. They get the credit. You take the responsibility. Deal with underperformance privately: that’s your job. Never sell them out.

Disobey stupid rules

Complexity and order

References

  1. If you said, “or girl,” you’re being that guy. (and/or girl, as the case may be.)