“A mine is a hole in the ground with a liar on the top.” - Mark Twain
We should judge ideas on their merit, but often authors overestimate their benefits and shrink their limitations and risk. Good advice deserves more space than trophies.
We develop, teach, reevaluate, and refine our philosophy and its implications. What overarching ideas prove themselves?
1. How we treat each other matters. We need energy, enthusiasm, and compassion daily.
2. We improve through a learning culture.
3. We never outgrow fundamentals.
4. Attitude informs progress over every time frame.
5. We learn from every major discipline. English informs communication. Biology instructs evolution. Physics teaches viscosity (stickiness). History values redemption from adversity. Religion cultivates belief. Geology illustrates patience.
6. Avoiding dumb mistakes outperforms genius over the long pull.
7. Read the room (know where you are).
8. Have a process worthy of trust.
9. Never stop learning.
10.Seek and maintain competitive advantage.
11.Model excellence.
12.Ask what is happening and why.
13.Perform common actions well.
14.Understand that many inputs, including luck, define outcomes.
15.Remember to ask, “And then what?”
Basketball specific:
1. “Get more and better shots than opponents.” - Pete Newell
2. “Basketball is a game of mistakes.” - Bob Knight
3. Movement kills defenses. Cut and pass.
4. Find a way to wear down your opponent.
5. Apply and defeat pressure.
6. Be great at a few things.
7. Take care of the basketball.
8. Everyone can be a great teammate.
9. Nobody regrets playing hard.
“All men think all men are mortal but themselves.” - Edward Young
We are all vulnerable to the same bias, errors, folly, and pettiness as others. Remind oneself of our humanity and thus our weaknesses while embracing big ideas.
