Everyone has a comfort zone. Worth considering: How hard (and how often) are you willing to work to get out of it? You can turn that into a habit if you choose.

Average feels safe but it's not. It's invisible.

We've greatly exaggerated the risk of sinking, without celebrating the value of swimming.

The secret of leadership is simple: Do what you believe in. Paint a picture of the future. Go there. People will follow.

Competence is no longer scarce.

Being aware of your fear is smart. Overcoming it is the mark of a successful person.

Self sufficiency appears to be a worthy goal, but it's now impossible if you want to actually get anything done. All our productivity, leverage and insight comes from being part of a community, not apart from it. The goal, I think, is to figure out how to become more dependent, not less.