Home > Work > How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life
21 " Most important, understand that goals are for losers and systems are for winners. "
― , How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life
22 " When politicians tell lies, they know the press will call them out. They also know it doesn’t matter. Politicians understand that reason will never have much of a role in voting decisions. A lie that makes a voter feel good is more effective than a hundred rational arguments. That’s even true when the voter knows the lie is a lie. "
23 " Pessimism is often a failure of imagination. "
24 " The great thing about reading diverse news from the fields of business, health, science, technology, politics, and more is that you automatically see patterns in the world and develop mental hooks upon which you can hang future knowledge. "
25 " Reality is overrated and impossible to understand with any degree of certainty. What you do know for sure is that some ways of looking at the world work better than others. Pick the way that works, even if you don’t know why. "
26 " If you see something that impresses you, a decent respect to humanity insists you voice your praise. "
27 " Adults are starved for a kind word. When you understand the power of honest praise (as opposed to bullshitting, flattery, and sucking up), you realize that withholding it borders on immoral. If you see something that impresses you, a decent respect to humanity insists you voice your praise. "
28 " Goals are for losers. Your mind isn’t magic. It’s a moist computer you can program. The most important metric to track is your personal energy. Every skill you acquire doubles your odds of success. Happiness is health plus freedom. Luck can be managed, sort of. Conquer shyness by being a huge phony (in a good way). Fitness is the lever that moves the world. Simplicity transforms ordinary into amazing. "
29 " If you give an ant infinite time, it can move a mountain all by itself. "
30 " For example, if your boss asks you to work the weekend to finish something worthwhile and challenging, you might be willing to give up a little of your personal life and health. Meaningful work can be energizing. And if things work out, perhaps you will be promoted because of your efforts. That's a trade-off that might charge you up in both the short run and the long run.On the other hand, if your boss routinely asks you to work overtime for no good reason other than to claw through piles of brain-deadening administrative work, you probably need to look for a new job.In both examples your boss is asking for extra work at the cost of your higher priorities, but only one of those situations increases your energy. "
― Scott Adams, , How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life
31 " I find it helpful to see the world as a slot machine that doesn’t ask you to put money in. All it asks is your time, focus, and energy to pull the handle over and over. A normal slot machine that requires money will bankrupt any player in the long run. But the machine that has rare yet certain payoffs, and asks for no money upfront, is a guaranteed winner if you have what it takes to keep yanking until you get lucky. In that environment, you can fail 99 percent of the time, while knowing success is guaranteed. All you need to do is stay in the game long enough. "
32 " The most important form of selfishness involves spending time on your fitness, eating right, pursuing your career, and still spending quality time with your family and friends. If you neglect your health or your career, you slip into the second category—stupid—which is a short slide to becoming a burden on society. "
33 " Generous people take care of their own needs first. In fact, doing so is a moral necessity. The world needs you at your best. "
34 " I made a list of skills in which I think every adult should gain a working knowledge. I wouldn't expect you to become a master of any, but mastery isn't necessary. Luck has a good chance of finding you if you become merely good in most of these areas. I'll make a case for each one, but here's the preview list.Public speakingPsychologyBusiness WritingAccountingDesign (the basics)ConversationOvercoming ShynessSecond languageGolfProper grammarPersuasionTechnology ( hobby level)Proper voice technique "
