If you believe that a given situation should make you unhappy, then it will, and the unhappiness will then reinforce the condition.

I'm not proposing that you let the crowd dictate, or that you work hard to fit in. Far from it. I'm proposing that you know the impact your choices are having and act accordingly.

If you can embrace the idea that your success and happiness are tied up in defeating the fear that's holding you back, you're 90 percent of the way to where you need to go, because no, we're not kids, and no, this is not a bike.

Surprise and differentiation have far more impact than noise does.

Go ahead and make something for the elites. Not the elites of class or wealth, but the elites of curiosity, passion and taste. Every great thing ever created was created by and for this group.

If you think your organization needs a bigger marketing budget, maybe you just need to be less average instead.

Take the long way. Do the hard work, consistently and with generosity and transparency. And then you won't waste time doing it over.