Kyle Sun

You're treating "what do I want" as an information-gathering problem when it's actually a permission problem. You know what you want—you just don't believe you're allowed to want it if it conflicts with what others want from you.

Test this: Think of a decision where you "don't know what you want." Now ask: "If no one would ever find out about this... See more

Start small: Practice saying no without explaining why. Just "that doesn't work for me" and sitting in the silence. Every over-explanation is you managing their emotional reaction. Learn to let them have their feelings without rescuing them from disappointment.

Here's the reframe: Sales rejection and public posting aren't actually about confrontation. They're about putting yourself out there for judgment, which is scary but impersonal. The prospect doesn't know you. The social media audience doesn't know you.

Emotional confrontation is different—it's directly telling someone "your behavior is unacceptable"... See more

I know that kids love absurd questions. If you’re trying to connect with a kid, ask them an adult question like “What kind of car do you drive” or “What do you do for work?” They will crack up and the more you continue the bit, the more they will loosen up with you.

I know to embrace magazines: Read them at the nail salon, put them out for overnight guests, buy a few before a long flight. Magazines are candy bars for the brain: indulgent and satisfying.

I know that finding time to read won’t happen as long as you have your phone handy. a book wherever you go. For unexpected wait times, it beats scrolling around your phone (and you can feel superior to those who do so ;)

I know that “I don’t know” is a full sentence.