From Chad

A ceramics teacher divided a class into two groups, one graded on quantity and the other on quality. The group graded on quantity ultimately created the highest quality pieces. The moral is to start working and producing, as perfection comes through practice, not planning.

Lin Hao, a nine-year-old boy from Sichuan, China, rescued two classmates after their school collapse during the 2008 earthquake. His bravery and leadership made him a national hero, and he carried the Chinese flag during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics.

The devil, at a rummage sale, reveals his most valuable tool: discouragement. It can make people lose hope and abandon their dreams. Robert Biswas-Diener’s research on courage, as outlined in “the courage quotient,“ suggest that courage is determined by the ratio of action to fear. To increase courage, one should align their actions with their identity, embody, and courageous roles.

Life is full of problems, but they are opportunities for growth and purpose. Victor Frankel, a holocaust survivor, encourage individuals to view challenges, ask tasks, demanding, tailored responses, asking “what is life asking of me?” This mindset, exemplified by Frankel survival in concentration camps, helps reframe suffering as a call to problem solve.

Melia, a Pakistani girl, faced adversity under Taliban rule, but channeled it into advocacy for girls’ education. Her story serves as a reminder that challenges present opportunities for growth and positive change.

The most important story you hear is the one you tell yourself. Simon scenic Golden Circle model emphasizes the importance of purpose, but I believe the place to start with is “who“ – identity – as an ontological anchor in a rapidly changing world.

Denzel Washington used a metaphor of ghosts representing unfulfilled potential to illustrate that humans, unlike nature, can choose to underperform. The better story to tell yourself is that you can become more.

We live in the most amazing time in human history, with conveniences and opportunities that our ancestors could only dream of. Despite this, many people are unhappy. The key to finding peace and contentment is to focus on internal factors and choose to be happy, regardless of external circumstances.

Jerry Seinfeld believes that every day is special and that there is no such thing as “quality time.“ He prefers “garbage time,” the ordinary moments like driving in the car or watching TV, as these are the moments that make up life. Seinfeld emphasizes the importance of cherishing these moments and finding joy in the mundane.

Steve Jobs’ return to Apple in 1997 and subsequent streamlining of the product line from 40 to 4 exemplifies the power of saying no. Every commitment carries an opportunity cost, and saying no allows for greater focus on the best opportunities.