‘Mental model’ is a mental model.

Invert, always invert.

Paradox. Go left and right at the same time. Never get caught in the middle.

Not a binary, a spectrum.

Consistently good, not occasionally great.

Infinite game. You will win if you keep playing.

Leverage.

Morality imitates wisdom.

I don’t need you to say yes, I just need you to decide. In order to decide you need to be empowered to decide.

Knowledge + 10,000 repetitions = skill.

Advanced means doing simple at scale. Extraordinary people do ordinary things for a long time.

Returns always diminish. Being the best does have disproportionate advantage. One point lesson.

Collect failure, not success.

‘Best’ is a false construct. There isn’t one game. There isn’t one GOAT. Time keeps going.

Sleep.

The child’s only work in learning to play violin is to stay present to the process. To participate in practice and learn as best as they are able.

The parent holds many more responsibilities to facilitate the child’s learning.

• Communicate with the teacher
• Practice daily with the child
• Cultivate a rich musical environment
• Help the child process difficult challenges
• Take careful notes in the lesson so expectations can be reproduced at home

It is easy to see that even if a child could do all of these things, it would be difficult for them to do so. We spend years cultivating a mature student’s ability to practice on their own. And even then, parents are often still managing scheduling and comforting them in times of strife.

The cognitive load of being a student is very different than the cognitive load of being a parent of a student. And that is for good reason.

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I draw great inspiration from watching people work– especially in the knowledge sector.

We know what practicing the violin looks like. But it is hard to come by authors, comedians, and creatives not just discussing their process but documenting it.

We were lucky enough to get two beautiful process videos this year that allow us to peak behind the scenes. One from Hasan Minhaj and one from Ryan Holiday.

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My partner and I were married in Ithaca on July 17, 2022.

There is one deep lesson we learned from our wedding which will impact me the rest of my life.

Guests are looking for ways to feel comfortable, have a good time, and support you. Whatever you lean into fully, without hesitation, and decide is important, guests will follow your lead in and lean into as well.

You unhindered expression of what is important to you is what allows guest to feel comfortable following you.

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