"V"s and "A"s
When paddling, it’s good to watch for “V"s and “A"s.
The point of a “V” is something to avoid, even if you can see nothing sticking out of the water.
The point of an “A” might be a good spot to go through, but be careful that it could be a low spot.
allegiance
“Caesar demands allegiance and a way of life, but Jesus makes a competing demand for the same things. Only one master can be obliged”
Joshua S. Porter, Death to Deconstruction
what to work on
“I propose, then, a revision of Kant’s imperative for technologists: do not work on something if you yourself do not want to live in the world where you are massively successful.”
letterstoayoungtechnologist.com, Letters to a Young Technologist
schema
“Schemas refer to the patterns of thoughts and behaviors, built up over time, that people use to process information quickly and effortlessly as they interact with the world.”
Greg Lukianoff, Jonathan Haidt, The Coddling of the American Mind
link purchases with good experiences
I had saved money for a new favorite chair but waited until I had published my first book to get it. That way, the chair reminds me of something that was an important accomplishment for me. We can apply the same thing to that special sweater or that pair of nice woolen socks. Save for them—but wait until you have that really hyggelig experience: you want to be reminded of it when you pull them on."
outsider test
“outsider test: Imagine someone else stepped into your shoes—what do you expect they would do in your situation?”
Julia Galef, The Scout Mindset
favor the long-term
“If you’re ever uncertain what to do, search for the approach that maximizes your impact at the company over the next three years rather than the next three months, and do that.”
communicate clear takeaways
" Before you start writing, consider, “What’s the one thing I want my reader to take away?” or, “What’s the one thing I want them to do next?” Try to be precise (without overwhelming them with details) and include a clear call to action. “Please leave feedback by 4 pm Friday” is better than, “Look forward to your feedback.”"
Dropbox Team, Virtual First Toolkit: How to Support Your Team
why to say no
“The ultimate productivity hack is saying no.
Not doing something will always be faster than doing it”