“The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.” — Linus Pauling
I came across that quote the other day and it’s the perfect explanation of why I seek out other people’s ideas and share my own with the world.
It’s also the perfect kick off to this week’s newsletter — a collection of 10 things I think you’ll be better off for seeing.
Let’s get into it…
1. STOP LISTENING TO PEOPLE
“Beware the person who fears your evolution.”
This has become one of the most popular things I’ve ever written which I guess means people love being told to ignore other people.
In it, I explain why none of the people who tell you what to do know what’s best for you and you should stop listening to them.
2. MICHELLE GIELAN IS A PERSON YOU SHOULD KNOW
“We’re all broadcasters. Our words create our experience of the world.”
Michelle is a former broadcaster who now studies the science of happiness and has found some interesting things.
For example, if you consume negative news first thing in the morning you’re 27% more likely to have a bad day.
3. IF THIS DOESN’T INSPIRE YOU TO DO SOMETHING, NOTHING WILL
“Learn how to love losing.”
Gary Vaynerchuk is a force of nature and while he may not be for everybody, he should be. In this video, he rants about the importance of doing things instead of just thinking about what you’re “gonna” do.
As he says in the video, “Fuck your gonna.”
4. WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL RIGHT NOW
“Some of Katherine’s very best friends have never been to her house, or she to theirs.”
This Washington Post profile of a 13-year-old girl is a fascinating glimpse at how kids her age use technology, view the world, interact with their friends, and deal with a world that looks VERY different than the one previous generations encountered.
5. SALLY HOGSHEAD IS A PERSON YOU SHOULD KNOW
“Better is a mirage. It keeps you chained to the same way of working as your competition.”
Sally is an expert on what makes things fascinating. She applies this expertise to brands, individuals, and content of all sorts.
In my profile of her, you’ll learn everything from how to make your writing more fascinating to how to figure out your most valuable qualities.
But my favorite observation of hers may be that you don’t actually learn to be more fascinating — you unlearn boring. Also, that “different is better than better.”
6. THE ONLY BOOK I’VE EVER READ IN ONE SITTING
“Quit or be exceptional. Average is for losers.”
I’m a huge fan of Seth Godin, but had never actually read his book The Dipuntil this week — when I read it in one sitting.
That’s the first time I’ve done that in my life and it was easy because the book is both amazing and brief (it only took about 90 minutes to finish it).
The premise of the book is that when you set out to do something you will ultimately hit a dip that comes after the excitement of starting it wears off and before the rewards of success arrive.
Most people quit things when they hit the dip and never get to the success, but those who push through can become the best. The book is designed to help you figure out when you should quit and when you should push through the dip.
That’s an incredibly oversimplified take on it, but trust me — it’s worth the 90 minutes it will take you to read it.
7. EVERYTHING IS PRO WRESTLING
“The audiences and the creators labor alongside each other, building from both ends, to conceive a universe with its own logic: invented worlds that, however false they may be, nevertheless feel good and right and amusing to untangle.”
This New York Times column makes an observation I’d never considered but makes a lot of sense — everything from pop culture to politics these days has become like wrestling.
We’re creating a world we WANT to believe in — even if it’s not based on truth.
8.SALES PEOPLE NEED TO BE STOPPED
“If your sales technique relies on outsmarting your clients, then you’re stupider than they are.”
I’ve had it with sales people (except for the one I’m about to marry of course — she’s an exception). The techniques most sales people use to try to sell me stuff are outdated, obnoxious, and ineffective.
So, I wrote up some suggestions for how they can do it differently.
9. JON WESTENBERG IS A PERSON YOU SHOULD KNOW
“Perfection is a game you can’t win, because the rules keep changing and you’re only playing against yourself.”
Jon is one of the most popular writers on Medium and in my profile of him you’ll find tips on everything from how to be more productive (hint: get mean) to why working for yourself is not freedom.
10. HOW DICE CLAY INFLUENCED CHRIS ROCK
“When you’re behind the curtain and you’re about to walk out I want you to remember what I told you — every comic wants you to fail. And then you use your other side of the brain and think about the family that’s been backing you, the people that love you all these years, and you go out and you kill them.”
Back in 2013 on the Howard Stern show, Andrew Dice Clay told a great story about some advice he gave to Chris Rock before his legendary HBO special and the importance of performance.
You can hear it at the 53-minute mark of this video.