Batch Batchelder

Poet Sylvia Plath on the courage to close doors:

“I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn’t make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go b... See more

When your priorities are clear, every 'no' becomes a step toward what matters.

“ One reason the best in the world make consistently good decisions is they rarely find themselves forced into a decision by circumstances. ”

The simple life hack is to lower your expectations, regardless of what you’re entitled to. Create the conditions for the outcome you seek, but leave yourself room if it doesn’t arrive.

Lowering expectations is a way to ensure that tomorrow is even better than you hope it will be.

The painter Vincent van Gogh on fear and risk:

"Fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm fearsome, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore. They leave that wisdom to those to whom it appeals. When the storm comes — when night falls — what's worse: the danger or the fear of danger? Give me reality... See more

A question from ​The Strategy Deck​ by Seth Godin:

“Better waves make better surfers. Are you on the right beach?”

Writer and scholar C.S. Lewis reminds us that what looks best is when we stop worrying about looking good and start focusing on doing our best:

“The sword glitters not because the swordsman set out to make it glitter but because he is fighting for his life and therefore moving it very quickly.”

Source: ​ Surprised by Joy

“The Paradox of Freedom: The way to expand your freedom is to narrow your focus.

• Stay focused on saving to achieve financial freedom.


• Stay focused on training to achieve physical freedom.


• Stay focused on learning to achieve intellectual freedom.

The disciplined become the free.”

“The secret to winning is learning how to lose. That is, learning to bounce back from failure and disappointment—undeterred—and continuing to steadily march toward your potential. Your response to failure determines your capacity for success.”