Why Messing Up Helps (It’s Not Because You Learn From Failure)

Yes, I make typos.

Yep, I splice commas all over the place.Yeah, I end sentences with prepositions and incorrectly use the semi-colon.I’m not trying to be perfect, because a habit of perfectionism can consume a lot of time.

I’m trying to get the point across quickly.

I’m trying to do what’s essential and then move on.Doing all the extra stuff can be nice but it has to be worth the consequence of time and energy—and that part is up to you.

2 Minute Action

I call this 2 minute action out everyday because by thinking small and consistent, we can build really huge things.Whats taking up 80% of your time or causing 80% of your pain right now?Focus on that first and don’t solve anything else.What we we found out in software development was that when we fixed some part of the software over here, some other part would break over there.By fixing one thing at a time, we didn’t spend too much time fixing stuff that didn’t matter or that wasn’t a priority.So think of your top time waster, soul crusher, or pain maker. Maybe you can’t solve it in 2 minutes but you can take the first step in 2 minutes.Go for it. Schedule the call, set the agenda, but the plane ticket, commit to the work, create the user story, text your father, whatever it is.One at a time.Drip. Drip. Drip.

This Secret Advantage Might Change Your Mind About Being Anxious

Dry mouth.Sweaty palms.Obsessive hair twirling.Anxious nailbiting.Have you ever felt this way while walking into an interview?

Here's the secret advantage that might change your mind:

Interviewees have an interesting, mostly unseen advantage.The interviewer is sitting at the other end of the table thinking: "please, let this be the one."The interviewer has gone through a hundred resumes.They've already done 99 interviews.The interviewer wants the interviewee to be amazing!They're already biased because they just want to be finished with the painful interview process!If interviewees knew this, they might be a lot less nervous about the approach.The interesting thing to take away from this is that it doesn't stop at the interview.Most people want to see other people succeed. Whether for noble or vicarious reasons, I don't know.Most people root for the underdog, love a good come-up story, and generally want others to do well.The cool thing is that other people includes you.Now if only everyone would start their day knowing this . . .

2 Minute Action:

What's one way you're lucky?What's a decision you're glad you made?Can you write it down and post it somewhere for a week?You might be surprised at how such a little reminder can impact your attitude and output for the day.