Deserves another look

Some things aren't designed around goals at all. Instead, they are about values, or exploration according to values. I'll call those exploratory spaces.

Spaces aren't goal-driven. You know something is a space if you don't want it to be over quickly. You'd accelerate an Amazon purchase, or an uber ride, or an organizational goal. The things you do

Steven Johnson, who wrote an insightful book about how people in science and in general come up with genuine new ideas, calls it the “slow hunch.”

Branded Merch Power

• Branded merchandise has a surprising power that's often underestimated.


• Rory Sutherland observed Martin Sorrell, a prominent figure in advertising, collecting branded pens at conferences.


• This seemingly small act highlights the subconscious appeal of branded items.


• This power is further evidenced by Meerkat soft toys becoming the

Learning past theories and examples prevents you from reinventing the wheel or from making the same mistakes as others who came before you. But those past theories and examples can't tell you what action to take in any particular situation. The past theories and examples do not accompany you onto the battlefield. For von Clausewitz, only coup

So how do you turn this shift in the signalling of wine status to your advantage? Ana Andjelic suggests modern brands (and I'd add wine brands) can thrive in the aspiration economy by aligning with Andjelic's “Four C’s”:

• Content: This means sharing stories, tutorials, and insights that educate consumers about your wine, its culture, and its

Scott Adams writes:

If you want an average successful life, it doesn’t take much planning. Just stay out of trouble, go to school, and apply for jobs you might like. But if you want something extraordinary, you have two paths:

1. Become the best at one specific thing.




2. Become very good (top 25%) at two or more things.

The first strategy is difficult to the

Getting Paid as an Expert

• Focus on deeply understanding the client's problems by persistently asking questions until they inquire about your solution.


• Avoid pushing the sale or manipulating the client; this can make you appear needy and decrease your chances of closing the deal.


• Instead, thoroughly diagnose their problems, and aim to articulate