This is Part 3 of a 4-part blog series this week. Read Part 1 & Part 2 for lessons 1-50.
To mark my birthday, I have condensed a lifetime of reading into 100 core principles, each paired with a book that shaped this insight. Enjoy!
51. The “Long Game” is the Only Game. Success requires immense patience and long-term vision.
Book: The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life – Alice Schroeder
52. Invest in Systems, Not Just Goals. A great system guarantees progress.
Book: The E-Myth Revisited – Michael E. Gerber
53. Decisiveness is Momentum. Indecision drains energy; making a choice creates forward momentum.
Book: Principles: Life and Work – Ray Dalio
54. Measure What Matters. Focus on a few key metrics to keep you and your team aligned and accountable.
Book: Measure What Matters – John Doerr
55. The Power of Compounding Skills. Combining two or more average skills can create a rare, valuable niche.
Book: How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big – Scott Adams
56. Seek Disagreement. Actively solicit opinions from those who disagree with you to avoid blind spots.
Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman
57. Take Radical Responsibility. Hold yourself 100% accountable for your choices and results.
Book: Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win – Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
58. Your Health is Your Greatest Wealth. Prioritize sleep, movement, and mindful eating.
Book: Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams – Matthew Walker
59. Live for the Eulogy, Not the Resume. Define your life by the character you build and the impact you have.
Book: The Road to Character – David Brooks
60. Don’t Be a Tourist in Your Own Life. Be present; most of life’s miracles are in the everyday.
Book: Pilgrim at Tinker Creek – Annie Dillard
61. Simplify. Eliminate non-essential tasks, possessions, and commitments to make room for what truly matters.
Book: The Joy of Less – Francine Jay
62. Ask for Help. Humility and wisdom involve recognizing your limits and actively seeking counsel.
Book: Dare to Lead – Brené Brown
63. Embrace memento mori. Acknowledge your mortality to motivate living a life of intention.
Book: On the Shortness of Life – Seneca
64. Trust Your Intuition. Deep, quiet knowledge often holds the answer before your rational mind does.
Book: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking – Malcolm Gladwell
65. You Are Never Too Old to Learn. Lifelong curiosity and a student mentality are the keys to sustained vitality.
Book: Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don’t Have To – David A. Sinclair & Matthew D. LaPlante
66. The Importance of Play. Don’t lose the capacity for lightheartedness and joy.
Book: Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul – Stuart Brown
67. Don’t Chase External Validation. True confidence comes from within, not external approval.
Book: Your Erroneous Zones – Wayne Dyer
68. Be More Patient. Most great things take far longer than you initially estimate.
Book: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance – Angela Duckworth
69. The Best Investment is in Yourself. Time and money spent on improving your skills yield the greatest returns.
Book: The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas J. Stanley & William D. Danko
70. Growth Lives Outside Comfort. Lean into discomfort.
Book: Can’t Hurt Me – David Goggins
71. Find Flow. Discover and pursue activities where your skill matches the challenge, leading to effortless focus.
Book: Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
72. Be Kind to Your Body. It is the only place you have to live.
Book: Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, and Sexy – Until You’re 80 and Beyond – Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge
73. Don’t Be a Victim. Own your narrative, even the hard parts, and use them as fuel.
Book: Girl, Wash Your Face – Rachel Hollis
74. Practice Deep Listening. Give others the rare gift of your complete and undivided attention.
Book: A Book About Listening – Don G. Campbell
75. The Value of Silence. Take time away from noise and input to allow for reflection and genuine insight.
Book: Silence: In the Age of Noise – Erling Kagge
Check out the final part tomorrow!
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