Lecture Notes

Starting a Company vs. Staying at a Good Job

• Story: Working at a financial firm in NYC; admired boss.
• Told boss about starting an online book-selling company.
• Boss: “Good idea, but better for someone without a good job.”
• Lesson: Jobs, careers, and callings are different. Aim for a calling.

Meeting Jeff Bezos

• Met Bezos 25 years ago. Asked for investment in an online bookstore.
• Idea: Sell books online, ship from garage.
• Bezos' confidence: “Will be the richest man in the world, $100 billion+.”
• Skeptical response: No concept of $100 billion 25 years ago.
• Bezos’ uniqueness: Confidence and planning despite skepticism.

Passion and Regret

• Importance of pursuing passion, even if risky.
• Reflects on passion vs. safe career choice.
• Preferred to try and possibly fail than regret not trying.

Childhood Inventions

• Always wanted to be an inventor from a young age.
• Examples: Automatic gate closer, solar cooker, sibling traps.

Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast

• Philosophy: Taking time leads to better, faster progress.
• Applies to all endeavors.

Gifts, Hard Work, and Choices

• Gifts vs. Choices: Cannot be proud of gifts (innate), but can be proud of hard work and choices.
• Examples of gifts: Math skills, physical attributes.
• Importance: Choices define us, not our gifts.

Life Choices

• Options: Life of ease vs. service and adventure.
• Reflection: At 80, more pride in service and adventure.
• Better time to be alive now due to inspiration, change, and opportunity.

Using Gifts and Making Choices

• Questions to consider:
  • Will inertia guide you or will you follow passions?
  • Follow dogma or be original?
  • Life of ease or service?
  • Wilt under criticism or follow convictions?
  • Bluff when wrong or apologize?
  • Guard against rejection or act on love?
  • Play safe or be swashbuckling?
  • Give up or be relentless?
  • Be a cynic or builder?
  • Be clever at others' expense or kind?

Empowering Others

• Providing tools and services to empower others is significant.
• Having a career is luck, having a calling is exceptional.
• Loving your work is essential for greatness.

Inspiring Times

• Historical curiosity: Great thinkers would want to be alive now.
• Civilization has many gifts; how these are used matters.