| 1 |
The Mountain or the Pebble |
Big obstacles (mountains) are visible, but tiny issues like bad habits or negative mindsets (pebbles) silently wear you down more—remove the pebble first. |
| 2 |
Nobody Cares |
Most people are too focused on their own lives to care about your wins or failures—free yourself to act boldly without seeking external validation. |
| 3 |
The Empty Boat Mindset |
Anger often comes from assuming harmful intent; most life “collisions” are with “empty boats”—assume no malice to regain emotional control. |
| 4 |
The Last Time |
Every experience has a final occurrence (e.g., last hug, last bedtime story)—live each moment with full presence as if it’s the last. |
| 5 |
The Say-Do Gap |
True priorities show in your actions, not words—the gap between what you say and do reveals your real level of commitment. |
| 6 |
The Social Slope Effect |
Challenges feel less steep with friends (especially close ones) nearby—supportive relationships provide psychological energy to lighten the load. |
| 7 |
You’re Building Your Own House |
Every day you make choices that construct the life you’ll live in—cut corners at your own risk; build with quality and pride. |
| 8 |
The Poison Arrow Principle |
Don’t waste time over-analyzing a problem’s origins when you already know enough to act—remove the arrow (take action) first. |
| 9 |
The Donkey Principle |
Avoid arguing with bad-faith people who just want to fight—disengaging from pointless debates saves energy (don’t wrestle pigs in mud). |
| 10 |
Helped, Heard, or Hugged Method |
When someone shares a problem, ask if they want help, to be heard, or a hug—match the support to their actual need. |
| 11 |
The Stonecutter Principle |
Reframe daily work in the context of a bigger vision (e.g., building a cathedral vs. just cutting stone) for deeper motivation. |
| 12 |
Costs of Entry |
Every goal has an unavoidable price (struggle, effort, discomfort)—accepting it prevents wasted energy on avoidance or complaints. |
| 13 |
AI’s Tragedy of the Commons |
Individual short-term AI pursuits risk collective long-term harm—realign incentives for responsible stewardship. |
| 14 |
Amor Fati |
Love your fate: embrace what you can’t control while actively shaping what you can—turn acceptance into proactive energy. |
| 15 |
Bought vs. Earned Status |
Status bought with money/symbols fades; status earned through effort and respect lasts—prioritize the latter. |
| 16 |
Locus of Control |
An internal locus (focusing on your responses and agency) builds resilience; external blames outside forces—choose internal. |
| 17 |
The Margin of Freedom |
Keep a buffer between reality and rising expectations to protect happiness—intentional under-expectation preserves joy. |
| 18 |
Turn Every Page |
Mastery requires full effort, even on the boring details—never assume; turn every page to go deep. |
| 19 |
The Two Wolves |
We all have a “good” wolf (kindness, hope) and “bad” wolf (anger, envy) inside—the one you feed wins and grows. |
| 20 |
Zone 2 Public Speaking |
Practice speeches during light (Zone 2) cardio to train under elevated heart rate—prepares you for real performance stress. |
| 21 |
The Streetlight Effect |
Don’t just search for answers where it’s easy/visible—venture into the dark (uncertainty) for real truth and progress. |
| 22 |
The Hidden Debts of Life |
Shortcuts in relationships, health, or work create invisible “debts” that compound and eventually come due—pay now or pay more later. |
| 23 |
Age Quod Agis |
“Do what you are doing”—full, disciplined presence in the current task beats distracted multitasking for better results. |
| 24 |
The IKEA Effect |
We value things more when we put effort into creating/building them—hard work creates soul-satisfying meaning. |
| 25 |
The Spiral Path |
Life isn’t a circle of repetition—it’s an upward spiral; you revisit themes at higher levels, building on previous growth. |