Mickey Patel

An empty white page is a mirror into your mind. When the ideas in your mind are clouded, so are the words on the page in front of you. Re-writing is re-thinking. It’s the best single best way to sharpen your ideas. And once your ideas are as clear as a Neiman Marcus mirror, you’ll be able to teach them to others.

When life or a plan feels ultimately unsatisfying, I fnd it’s because I’ve forgotten to fnd the intersection of all three: • What makes me happy • What’s smart • What’s useful to others 88 sive.rs/hsu

So look around at those existing ideas in the world. You can imitate them and still be offering something valuable and unique.

When your thinking is contaminated by negative emotions, make as few decisions and engage in as few interactions as possible. This keeps these emotions from spilling over into your life.

Julian's Insight #1

Hard work can be lazy

Working hard for a long time without checking what the better things to be working on are is a hidden form of laziness. A laziness that disguises itself as something to be proud of.

—Julian

Even creative work needs scheduling. The greatest writers and artists didn’t wait for inspiration. They kept a strict daily schedule for creating their art. A routine triggers inspiration because your mind and body learn that ideas emerge at that time. The world’s greatest achievements were squeezed into existence by deadlines.

If it entertains you now but will bore you someday, it’s a distraction. Keep looking.

Indeed. If one seeks to have a peaceful journey, then he will have to understand some of the Truths. If he is drawn to the romanticism of striving for success and hard work, then he is the sort of man who is more interested in the “struggle.” S: Is any man interested in the struggle, Master? M: Certainly. S: Why would any man wish to struggle? M: