known doer

Imagine that no one knew who you were. What things would you no longer feel you needed to do? Could it be that many of those things are not necessary even though there are people who know who you are?

two simple steps

Advertisements often seek to persuade you that the solutions they offer require no effort on your part. They do this using familiar phrases like “click of a button” or “just spray and wipe” that sweep away the effort required for the specific actions. You are free to use the same technique to support any course of action you have chosen for yourself. Phrases like “Design and build” or “Just show up and talk to people” can make what seemed like a daunting initiative look more simple and obvious.

party time

Owning the right possessions is like inviting the right people to your party.

analyze to impress

If it feels important to impress anyone, get specific about it. Who do you want to impress? When is it important to make an impression? What kind of impression do you want to make? What reaction are you hoping for? What are the various ways you might create that impression and get that reaction? Among the alternatives, which comes most easily and naturally to you?

on a Friday afternoon

Imagine the story youo would have to tell a friend to persuade them that a material possession had a practical use. The longer the story is, the more speculative the potential value is.

metaphor too far

Objects you keep can be clutter as a result of having more than you need for your purposes. This is especially true of the items you keep as metaphors. Sometimes one metaphor is stronger than ten or twenty.

glitterator

No one is impressed by how many things you keep just to impress people.

axis

When the world turns, it doesn’t shout about it.

connected

Communication requires both speaking and listening. Never let one get too much larger than the other.

skunkworks

When no one is thinking about what you’re working on, then there is nothing to explain.

phrasing

If you are not retracing the well-trodden paths, not many will follow.

forks

Any plan, however well intentioned, carries the shadows of the people who created the plan. Incorporate randomness into a plan so that you can break out of the box or get out of the rut that the plan puts you in.

outer

Change the inside of the house, and you change the way you show up in the world.

broadcast

Tell everyone about your results only when it makes the work easier.

showing the way

The more clear your thoughts and intentions are, the easier it is for you to provide an example to follow.

backdrop

Don’t keep possessions that you wouldn’t want to be photographed with.

vip shopper

You cannot stand out by purchasing mass-manufactured products, no matter how many.

more than a repair

Sometimes a repair can make an item better than ever. If you want to do repairs of some of your broken things, start with this kind.

amplifier

Take small actions that show that you are listening, and you will hear more.

as you

Choose what you want to be known for. Make that look good. Then you will look good.