When you walk around braced for impact, you're dramatically decreasing your chances. Your chances to avoid the outcome you fear, your chances to make a difference, and your chances to breathe and connect.

As soon as we associate reading with a test, we've missed the point.

The habit of doing more than is necessary can only be earned through practice.

The universal truth is beyond question-the only people who excel are those who have decided to do so.

Our best work can't possibly appeal to the average masses, only our average work can. Finding the humility to happily walk away from those that don't get it unlocks our ability to do great work.

The minute there's a map, there is no art. Paint by numbers is not art. Paint by numbers is a mechanical activity.

Everyone has failed, everyone has misspoken, everyone has meant well but done the wrong thing. Your favorite restaurants, cafes and books have all gotten a one-star review along the way. No brand is perfect, no individual can pretend to be either. Perfect can't possibly be the goal, we're left with generous, important and human instead.