Principles
The most important mental models that quietly inform the decisions I make each day, big and small.
- "Good" ↗
- Getting it right > being right
- Go first and go positive
- Always curious
- Do-Learn (not Learn-Do)
- Leave it better than you found it
- Be the adult in the room
- Strong views held loosely
- Strategy, not self-expression ↗
- Shoot to make it
- Underpromise and overdeliver
- Challenge is appreciated
- Make the best idea win
- Go one more
- Never stifle a generous impulse
- Question the standard
- I own my stuff. My stuff doesn't own me.
- Don't be busy. Be effective.
- Don't ask, don't get
- Better to over-communicate than under
- Be an appreciating asset in people's lives
- Expect uncertainty. Act regardless.
- Always do what needs done
- My only true competition is myself – and I'm a fierce competitor
- Let people tell you no. Don't decide for them.
- Tomorrow was never promised to you
This list began years ago as my attempt to make the invisible & automatic ways my mind operates into something more tangible. I would notice the mental sayings I was already living by and jot them down. Now when I discover a new principle has taken root, it joins this list.
For example: During the workweek I habitually repeat "getting it right > being right" to remember that looking smart and doing great work are often at odds; my ego is kept in check and my focus remains on the outcome.
Credit to Nat Friedman's "some things I believe" for the inspiration to make this list public.