Herbert Lui – Page 5 – Blog on creativity, marketing, and the human condition.

Doing difficult things with, and without, motivation

When I was a teenager, I started going to the gym for a lot of reasons. Namely, I wanted to get stronger. I also wanted to look more grown up. I was a 16-year-old teenager with the body of a 12-year-old and the face of a 10-year-old. My classmates thought I was cute, like their…

Herbert Lui

September 22, 2025

Creator Confidential, Expectations, Life, Turning Stories

Three easy ways to give to a good cause

Giving becomes easier when you realize how many opportunities there are. Here are three easy openings, amongst many: Whatever money you save on a discount, donate it. You can do this through donations or coupons. If PetSmart gives you $2.00 back, donate $2 to help animals. Round up your change. If you pay $15.50, donate…

Herbert Lui

September 21, 2025

Life

Artists make New Work

On a visit to the MoMA PSOne, I saw a mural that said, “Artists make New Work.” The pink typography was set on forest green. I loved it. Then I looked closer, and I saw that it actually said, “Artists Make New York.” I liked my hallucinated version more.

Herbert Lui

September 20, 2025

Creativity, Creator Confidential

Better options

If you’re unsure how to create better options, giving your attention to fewer of them is a good way to start.

Herbert Lui

September 19, 2025

Creator Confidential

Build your own supply chain, gain more control, do more work

If an author works with a traditional publisher, they’re using the publisher’s supply chain. They need their book proposal accepted by the publisher. The author needs to apply the publisher’s feedback, even if they don’t agree with it. The publisher will schedule the book’s launch, and the author will follow. The publisher will, hopefully, put…

Herbert Lui

September 18, 2025

Creativity, Creator Confidential, Promotion, Turning Stories

Skill mindset

Being happy is a skill. When you’re making a difficult decision, you can ask yourself this: In 1,000 parallel universes, which decision makes you happier in 999 of them? If the decision makes you only happier on the condition it turns out your way, then you need to consider what’s in your control, and the…

Herbert Lui

September 17, 2025

Creativity, Creator Confidential, Expectations, Turning Stories

When someone persuades you it’ll be easy, it’s a signal to feel uneasy

Many years ago, when I was still a student, I attended a seminar for a multi-level marketing (MLM) program. The idea was, you’d sell products that a company provided you with. It could be vitamins, knives, dishware, or a vast swath of other products. The presenters emphasized all of the perks: that you could work…

Herbert Lui

September 16, 2025

A Matter of Time, Expectations

Studying, in an age of instant knowledge

If you want to drive one of London’s black cabs, you’ll need to pass a test called The Knowledge. It usually requires studying for 3 to 4 years. Nowadays, you have another option: an app like Waze or Google Maps can help guide you around London. Once an app like Uber onboards you as a…

Herbert Lui

September 15, 2025

A Matter of Time, Creativity, Creator Confidential

Questions to assess your project’s momentum

When you say yes to a project, you’re also saying no to something else. If a project isn’t showing momentum, consider quitting it to make space for something new. Here are some questions you can ask yourself: What resources are you putting in to keep a project alive? The fewer the resources, the easier it…

Herbert Lui

September 14, 2025

Creativity, Creator Confidential, Expectations

0.1%

Over 2 million people have bought Tim Ferriss’s book, The 4 Hour Workweek. Let’s say the goal of the book was to set the reader up to create a lifestyle where they don’t need to find a job. While they might need to work more than four hours, success means they’ve designed their lives for…

Herbert Lui

September 13, 2025

Creativity, Creator Confidential, Promotion