original critic

When you find yourself worrying about what people will think, ask what opinions you are worried about and where those ideas came from.

context

It is hard for people to see who you are when you are surrounded by chaos.

done

Take bragging off your to-do list.

poet action figure

Don’t seek a poetry prize if you don’t want to be known as a poet.

around here

The things you learn are valuable even if no one around you understands.

empty mirror

Be wary of those who offer flattery that doesn’t tell you anything about yourself.

points

Do things that the people who know you can feel proud of.

just the same

People won’t see what’s important about you if you have the same things that everyone else has.

look at what I got

If your main reason for a purchase is that you are hoping other people will notice, don’t buy.

best-seller

The writer who gets the most attention is one who says the same thing many people are saying but does so in a way that is more clear and colorful. The most valuable writer is one who says something new.

on the road to

It is easier for people to follow your progress if they can say in a few words what you are trying to do.

visibility

Notice the people who do not take your work seriously. You will see that many of them do not take any work seriously.

workout

You aren’t letting people down by taking time to exercise. Your friends would rather see you healthy and energetic than have you around all the time.

countdown

“If you could see all the roads I have travelled towards some unusable last equilibrium.” — Geoff Downes, Trevor Horn, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Alan White

unboxing

You don’t always get what you wish for, but you always get something.

what’s the matter with these people

Gossip is rooted in a search for flaws in everyone.

portfolio

Instead of waiting for others to understand you, just carry on doing more things that they may understand when they are ready.

surprise

A person who introduces an unexpected change might be a fool . . . and a hero.

el presidente

“Everybody can’t be El Presidente. Everybody can’t be the talk of the town.” –Todd Rundgren

air

You don’t have to tell people exactly what you accomplished for them to notice that you have succeeded at something.