anyway

reckless, with taste.

one day you'll be old, and the stories you'll want to tell are the times you went anyway. the trip you nearly skipped. the thing you built before you were ready.

these are the rules we try to live by, so we end up with more of those stories. they're for anyone who wants an interesting life and still cares about doing things well.

most things worth doing come with a good reason not to do them. we hear the reason, then do it anyway.

i. do it anyway.

you'll always have a reason to wait. it doesn't get a vote. take action. fuck it, do it.

ii. do hard things.

do what you can't do yet. the hard version is usually the one that teaches you something. epic shit doesn't come from the easy path.

iii. keep moving.

move fast and keep moving, because stopping turns into a habit too. move your body as well. sitting still all day makes you think small.

iv. own it.

be a man of your word. say what you'll do, do it, and own how it turns out, especially when it goes badly. don't complain about it.

v. figure it out.

nobody hands you a manual. teach yourself and adapt to wherever you land.

vi. make it good.

moving fast is no excuse for sloppy work. make it high quality and tasteful, every time.

vii. think for yourself.

have original thoughts. fuck the ordinary. if it looks like everything else, keep going.

viii. stay foolishly smart.

be curious about everything. ask the dumb question. try the dumb idea and then pull it off.

ix. play.

have a lot of fun. fuck around and find out. do it for the plot, because a good story is reason enough.

x. go toward people.

talk to strangers and be a little flirty. lead with empathy. most people you haven't met yet are nicer than you'd guess.

nobody is going to give you permission, and the right time won't show up on its own. you'll be scared and early. go anyway, so that when your story gets told, it's the version where you did.