Ideas are free, execution is priceless.

A backlog is a list of tasks required to support a larger strategic plan. It’s an accumulation of uncompleted work. And whether it’s a physical stack sitting out on our poorly constructed shelves, or some kind of digital record, the premise is the same. We tell ourselves a story about how the backlog isn’t that big and we’ll get to it eventually. Or we tell ourselves the story that…

Contempt is the tendency to look down on, distance, and derogate others who violate our standards. It’s a disposition that’s been clinically proven to have significant negative consequences. And the long term effects of contempt often damage trust, hinder effective communication, contribute to hostile environments, even end marriages. Everyone is aligned on those facts. The verdict on contempt is out. But what nobody talks about is the bigger issue,…

The less we operate at the extremes, the wiser we become. Once we humbly accept that life is a deeply complex and subtle experience; and once we stop chasing absolutes and start embracing reality on reality’s terms, we finally learn to sanely connect to self, other and the world. This is the essence of what it means to be a mature human being. It’s the stuff enlightenment is made…

I’ve launched dozens of projects in my career, and never once did I even consider the possibility of crowdfunding. Now, I personally think it’s wonderful that crowdfunding exists as a standard business practice. The fact that over a hundred billion dollars is raised each year through these platforms is extraordinary. In fact, I have contributed to a handful of campaigns for friends and strangers alike, and I enjoyed both…

I am just like anyone, in that I love the familiar smell of my own bullshit. That smell has adaptive value, insofar as it protects my esteem, prevents negative consequences of adverse events, and helps in deceiving others. Reminds me of my friend, who is a highly respected and successful physician. His favorite mantra to share with patients, specifically those who insist on doing their own research, so to…