Feck Perfuction: Dangerous Ideas on the Business of Life

“You are not entitled to the fruit of your labor—only the labor itself.”

The American artist Edward Ruscha devised a simple rule for distinguishing between bad and good art. Bad art makes you say, “Wow! Huh?” Good art makes you say, “Huh? Wow!”

Success is about action. Action beats worry. Action beats thinking. Action always wins.

Life is a test of your conviction and vision. You choose whether to play the victim or the hero.

people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.”

Don’t think, don’t rationalize, just do. Start and don’t stop—cuz momentum is your friend.

What time and patience have taught me is the truth of that beautiful line: If you focus on the reward, you’ll never be happy. The fruit—the money, the fame, the whatever—will never be enough. Even further, focusing on the reward means not focusing on the work.

For great artists, writers, scientists, the process of creation is the reward. The process of learning and growing, and all the intermittent victories and defeats are the reward. Learn to enjoy struggle. The reward will take care of itself.

Creativity wants to let go of control and to present authenticity and vulnerability. This is what moves others. This is attractive. Complete conviction makes great work.