We know what decisions we must make to avoid that ignominious, even pathetic end: protecting our sobriety, eschewing greed and paranoia, staying humble, retaining our sense of purpose, connecting to the larger world around us.

You must get back to first principles and best practices.

Ego says that sure, even though you’re just starting to get the hang of one thing, why not jump right in the middle of another?

How can someone be busy and not accomplish anything? Well, that’s the passion paradox.

Make it about the work and the principles behind it—not about a glorious vision that makes a good headline.

Humility is what keeps us there, concerned that we don’t know enough and that we must continue to study. Ego rushes to the end, rationalizes that patience is for losers (wrongly seeing it as a weakness), and assumes that we’re good enough to give our talents a go in the world.

We can’t keep learning if we think we already know everything.

Find canvases for other people to paint on.

You think you’re doing what you’re supposed to. Society rewards you for it. But then you watch your future wife walk out the door because you aren’t the person you used to be.