Scott Adams

Creator of the Dilbert comics

Losers have goals, winners have systems.

Six elements of humor:
Naughty
Clever
Cute
bizarre
Mean
Recognizable

You need to have two dimensions to succeed in making a joke.

Eg: Calvin and Hobbes. Talking tiger, bizarre + cute. Plus he has a child too. So double cute. Kid doing something naughty/something bad happening to someone (mean). The talking tiger saying something recognizable and relatable. Bizarre, cute, and recognizable. Already funny.

Systems Vs Goals:

Choose projects that give you relationships and transferable skills even if they result in failures in the eyes of the outside world.

What skill/relationship can I develop vs what short-term goal can I achieve?

Succeed over time, as you build assets that cater to long-term success, instead of short term goals that provide instant gratification.

Affirmations.
Write your goal down 15 times a day. Say it more.

Minimize decision making.
Free up your mind, create routines so that your mind doesn’t unnecessarily have to make decisions.

Reduce stress by reducing the concentration of importance you place in things by diversifying. More the diversification, lesser the risk, lesser the stress.

Double or triple threat:

If you want a hugely successful life:

1. Become the best at one specific thing. (Get into the NBA, play Carnegie Hall, platinum album, whatever. It is highly unlikely for the average person.)
2. Become very good (top 25%) at two or more things.

Combination makes it rare. Combine two or more very good skills until no one else has your mix, and suddenly your competition has significantly reduced. You’re unique. Make at least one skill communication (public speaking, writing etc). Add it to your passion skill, and you might just become formidable.