Ego is the Enemy: The Fight to Master Our Greatest Opponent

There is another old expression: You know a workman by the chips they leave. It’s true. To judge your progress properly, just take a look at the floor.

it prevents us from getting any better. Studious self-assessment is the antidote.

impetuousness and franticness are poor substitutes for discipline,

The mixed martial arts pioneer and multi-title champion Frank Shamrock has a system he trains fighters in that he calls plus, minus, and equal. Each fighter, to become great, he said, needs to have someone better that they can learn from, someone lesser who they can teach, and someone equal that they can challenge themselves against.

The cannon, which revolutionized warfare, was said to be the resulting fusion of Chinese gunpowder, Muslim flamethrowers, and European metalwork.

He was a leaf that could be blown in any direction

We do that when our sense of self is fragile and dependent on life going our way all the time.

He saw those extra emotions as a burden. Instead, his philosophy was about being in control and doing your job and never being “passion’s slave.”

other words, discover opportunities to promote their creativity, find outlets and people for collaboration, and eliminate distractions that hinder their progress and focus.