Advice for Living

Every year I review a handful of concepts, books, articles, and talks as part of my yearly goal-setting and planning practice. These pieces, and this practice, serve as periodic checkpoints to ensure I don’t stray far from the path I’ve set for myself on the way to being the best person I can be. In some cases, they’re great reminders for living a better and happier life. In other cases, cues for the causes and principles I want to always have front and center in my mind.

Revisiting these concepts on a regular basis is my way of systematizing the inherently disorganized process of adopting and integrating concepts, techniques, processes, and values into my day to day life.

Over the next few weeks, I’d like to share some of those articles and talks here.

If these pieces resonate with you, I encourage you to bookmark them under a folder on your web browser titled “annual/quarterly reads.” Add to the list as you see fit to. Set calendar reminders quarterly, biannually, or annually to take a look.

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The last, but certainly not least of my annual reads is Kevin Kelly’s “Excellent Advice for Living.” Kevin Kelly is the senior maverick at Wired magazine, the co-founder of Cool Tools, and the author of many books on technology, culture, and the future. 

On his 70th birthday he shared 103 bits of advice he wished he had known when he was younger. That list grew to 450 over time and resulted in a pocket-sized book I keep on my desk. These are not your typical clichés or platitudes. These are nuggets of wisdom that will make you think, laugh, and act.

Some of my favorites include:

•   Don’t ever work for someone you don’t want to become.
•   Cultivate 12 people who love you, because they are worth more than 12 million people who like you.
•   When you forgive others, they may not notice, but you will heal. Forgiveness is not something we do for others; it is a gift to ourselves.
•   When you lead, your real job is to create more leaders, not more followers.
•   Your growth as a conscious being is measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations you are willing to have.
•   Speak confidently as if you are right, but listen carefully as if you are wrong.

Kevin Kelly is a legend in my eyes. He has inspired me to be more curious, creative, and courageous. He has also taught me to embrace surprises, uncertainties, and opportunities.

This book is an easy and worthwhile read. Pick it up here!