Daniel Pink: 40 Harsh Truths I Wish I Knew In My 20s

In the video, Daniel Pink shares 40 pieces of advice. Pure gold.

(H/T to Recomendo for the video.)

Don’t work with assholes.

• Shortcuts are scams.
• You’re not the main character in other people’s lives.
• Don’t craft a resume. Build a body of work.
• Raw talent is overrated. Persistence is underrated.
• Action beats planning.
• Cynicism isn’t intelligence. The better predictor of intelligence is openess.
• Move. Exercise is the best thing you can do for your mental health.
• Overtime, you’ll regret what you’ll didn’t do. Take the chance.
• No matter what you’re working on, it will be governed by Hofstadter’s Law. (It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter’s Law.)
• Ask for advice, not for feedback.
• Simplify. Simplicity is a strength.
• Luck is more important than you realize.
• Stop waiting for permission.
• Reputation takes decades to build, and moments to destroy. Protect it.
• Focus on what you can control. The can’t control piece is larger than you think. The can control piece is more important than you think.
• Everything reverts to the mean.
• Read more. “I don’t know a single person who reads too much.”
• Consistency beats intensity.
• Treat everyone with respect.
• Mediocrity is the real threat.
• It doesn’t hurt to ask.
• Curiosity beats certainty.
• In the end, it’s on you.
• The most important choice you make, is the people you surround yourself.
• Like it or not, you’re in sales.
• Think positive-sum.
• Take a break, or you’ll break.
• Spend less than you can. Leave beneath your means.
• Be confident and humble.
• Happiness is the byproduct, not the goal.
• Ask more questions.
• In the game of life, what matters is shots on goal.
• Some things that are not your fault, still just are your responsibility.
• Save early and often.
• If you’re the smartest person on the room, you’re on the wrong room.
• When in doubt, reach out.
• Say yes early, say no later.
• Sleep is a superpower.
• Love wins. What matters in the end is whether you love and have people who love you.