Life lessons

The correct persuasive technique in situations like that was given by Ben Franklin. He said, “If you would persuade, appeal to interest, not to reason.” The self-serving bias of man is extreme, and should have been used in attaining the correct outcome. So the general counsel should have said, “Look, this is likely to erupt into something that will

Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. Mary Oliver

When asked to describe his theory of relativity, Einstein (mercifully) paraphrased it like this: “When a man sits with a pretty girl for an hour, it seems like a minute. But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute and it’s longer than any hour. That’s relativity.”43 In other words, our perception of time changes relative to what we are doing.

Focus on Process

• Focus on the process, not the goals.


• Consistent daily actions lead to meaningful progress.

Focus on Internal Strength

• Instead of wishing for external things to change, focus on your internal strength and adaptability.


• Work to be good and resilient, regardless of the circumstances.

Be like water, he said, because that is how you must also live: fluid, adaptable, and unbound by other people’s limitations or their expectations of who you should be.

Water is eternally changing. This is why water is so adaptable: it responds to its surroundings. The same goes for you. You should be fluid and adaptive in your approach to everything you do — whether at work or home, in your relationship, career, finances, life experiences or personal growth.

Change, improve, or upgrade when your new situation

54. Listen to clients. They may have an important point even if they are poor at expressing it