Failure and Imagination

A must see or read speech from J.K. Rowling at Harvard on the fringe benefits "failure" and the importance of "imagination" in life.

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

Happiness Diagram

Ultimate happiness comes from 5 sources. But remember: "Happiness is not a goal"

Why are we irrational sometimes?

Just wanted to recommend a book I just read: "Sway" by Ori and Rom Brafman. It's a quick read that I picked up in the airport between flights.

The book is essentially about the sub-merged mental drivers (undercurrents) that can undermine rational action (i.e. make us behave irrationally). For example, why do we drive crazy sometimes just to save a few seconds? Why can't we sell a falling stock? Or why can't some people get out of domed relationships?

In summary, they explain 5 psychological undercurrents that cause this irrational behavior:

1) Loss Aversion (Desire to avoid loss): People don't like to lose and thus may not know when to cut their losses or know how/when to lose. It's okay to lose; you can make it up on the next one. Don't dig yourself into a bigger hole. Don't get caught by this fear of loss, it can make you lose a lot more. Have a long term view. e.g. Running a yellow light to save a few seconds, in the long-term, has absolutely no major impact in your life.

2) Commitment: This is about our reluctance to alter a plan or action that clearly isn't working because it has always worked for us in the past. Let go of the past, be open. Ask yourself: If I were to walk into the situation, fresh, would I still be pursuing this strategy?

3) Value Attribution: This is when we judge a book by its cover (i.e. diagnosis bias). We all have different lenses we see things through. Perceive someone or a situation beyond your initial impression. Take time to test your intuition -> learn about something or someone -> make a tentative opinion -> test your opinion -> give it time to sync -> and then finally make a final judgment.

4) Fairness: As humans we want something to be fair. Our decisions are driven by our convictions and emotions, that’s why sometimes we make bad decision. This factor is even more important when a decision affects other people. The key here is to weigh things objectively, not involving our emotions or moral judgment. When it does involve others, make sure you involve them in the "process" and keep ongoing two-way communication.

5) Ignoring Dissenters: This is essentially about not ignoring the "devil's advocate" and taking into account all the evidence. Hearing out everyone only leads to better decisions as every point of view will have been considered. Give a voice to the dissenter.

Be aware of these 5 undercurrents the next time you face a pivotal decision - swim across these undercurrents, not against them!

How to become a VC

I think Fred Wilson, summarizes it well:

“If you want to make top tier returns in the venture capital business….The way you do that is you work for at least 10 years in the industry, getting operating experience, building a killer rolodex, and learning how the business works from the inside. Then in your mid-to-late 30s, you can make the move to the venture capital business, as a partner, not as a wet behind the ears associate who doesn’t know anything other than how to push numbers around a spreadsheet.” -Fred Wilson, a partner at venture capital firm Union Square Ventures

Thoughts on Keys to Success

Here's a list of keys to success that I've gathered from various recent leadership readings, including from Jack Welch, Art Williams, Jim Collins, TED speakers, etc.

1. Winning Attitude. Life is all about attitude, you have to be in the right mind-set to most positively react to everything happening to/around you.
2. Mental Toughness. This will separate you from the pack.
3. Excitement. Bring major excitement to everything you do, pour your hear into it.
4. Dream. You have to believe you can do anything you want; belief is incredibly powerful, you have to believe.
5. Stand For Something. You have to stand for something. This fuels your belief and determination.
6. Make A Total Commitment. It's about that extra ounce of courage needed during tough times; your ability to compete, stand-up and go bat one more time.
7. Treat People Good. This is what ultimately fulfills your life, helping and treating others with compassion.
8. Right Priorities. Personal life, then work life.
9. Pay The Price a Little Bit More. Do a little bit more than others.
10. Be Tough. You cannot quit.
11. Gotta Be A Leader.
12. Do It, And Do It, Until The Job Gets Done.
13. You Can't Do It Alone. You need a team and support.
14. Have Mentors. Your sounding board, keep measuring your progress, people you admire and respect.

TED-ings

• "Success is a continuous journey," Richard St. John, 2-2009, TED [3:55 min]
• "8 secrets of success," Richard St. John, 12-2006, TED [3:30 min]
• "The power of time off," Stefan Sagmeister, 7-2009, TED [17:40 min]
• "The Future of Countries," Parag Khanna, 7-2009, TED [18:53 min]
• "How food shapes our cities," Carolyn Steel, 7-2009, TED [15:41 min]

Strangers, Work, Attention, Success, Slowness, Leadership

Interesting conversations on life matters:

• Strangers - The Importance of 'Consequential Strangers,' 9-7-09, Talk of the Nation, NPR [radio, 30min]
• Work - Why we love or hate our work, 9-7-09, Marketplace, NPR [radio]
• Attention - Horizon of Attention, 9-2009, Human Media, [radio]
• Success - A kinder, gentler, philosophy of success, 7-2009, TED [video, 17 min]
• Slowness - Carl Honore praises slowness, 6-2005, TED [video, 20 min]
• Leadership - Patrick Awuah on educating leaders, 6-2007, TED [video, 18 min]

High-Speed Rail in the US: Dream or Reality?

There has been lots of talk at the Federal and State level about revamping and building high-speed rail in a number of corridors in the U.S. President Obama has already approved $8 billion dollars in funding. If you have traveled to Germany, France, Spain, and Japan, you know what it's like - but is this feasible in the US with it's landscape and car-centric culture? Is it worth the investment?

Here's some food for thought:

• Comparing U.S. Trains To Foreign Lines, 9-4-09, All Things Considered, NPR [radio]
• Traveling on fast trains in Europe, 9-3-09, The World, PRI [radio]
• Obama talks About High-Speed Rail Project, Federal Railroad Administration [video]
• California Edges Ahead In High-Speed-Train 'Race,' 9-3-09, All Things Considered, PRI [radio]
• California High Speed Rail Blog
• High-Speed Rail Skeptic Outlines Position, 9-3-09, All Things Considered, NPR [radio]
• A Hitch For Rail Riders: Getting To Final Destination, 9-2-09, All Things Considered, NPR [radio]
• Some Regions Better Prepared For High-Speed Rail, 9-1-09, All Things Considered, NPR [radio]
• U.S. High-Speed-Rail Proposals, 8-31-09, All Things Considered, NPR