Category: Expectations
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If you’re unsure what to do, take any action
Here’s a useful reminder from Brian Armstrong, who leads Coinbase: One of my favorite lessons I’ve learnt from working with smart people: Action produces information. If you’re unsure of what to do, just do anything, even if it’s the wrong thing. This will give you information about what you should actually be doing. Sounds simple…
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Defense to offense
When I was a child, my parents enrolled me in a rec floor hockey league. I played defense for a couple of years, until a snow day happened and the team needed me to play offense. I shifted my focus away from clearing the ball away from my own net, and instead on putting pressure…
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Are you being rude to yourself?
For some of us, the people who taught us when we were young might have been tough. They believed that by being rude to us, they were also helping us build character and succeed. Whether their approach was effective or not, their voice stays with us. We learn to be rude to ourselves in the…
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If they can do it, so can you
When I was 18, I had contemplated wearing contact lenses for at least a couple of years. I had a hunch that I’d look a little better without glasses. But I’d gotten familiar with wearing them, and I didn’t know if the effort put into wearing contact lenses would be worth it. This sense of…
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Be mindful of what you’re getting good at
A friend of mine had moved from Toronto to Hong Kong for work. When he first arrived, he didn’t know anyone. He had a decision to make: He could get really good at spending time by himself, including sitting at home in the evenings and watching TV. Or, he could get really good at socializing.…
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Respond to mistakes with guilt and gratitude
When someone points out or fixes a mistake you made, you can decide to respond with guilt for making the mistake in the first place, or gratitude for their support. Guilt helps you create change. It also makes sure you don’t make the same mistake again. Once you have made the change, you don’t need…