This post is a collection of articles and videos that I came across over the years and have found useful. I wish I had read them, watched them and reflected on them sooner in my life than when I actually did. Below is a list of some of my favorite essays related to “work” from other authors. Titles have been modified sometimes to reflect my key takeaways from the respective pieces.

Life & Luck

  1. Be Proactive. Be Yourself. Be Detached From Outcomes.
  2. Life Is Short, Paint What You Want To See In The World - Paul Graham, Jack Dorsey
  3. You’re Not A Lottery Ticket, Create Luck - Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen
  4. You Become Your Job: Discover Yourself First Before Your Career - Moxie Marlinspike
  5. You Get What You Measure, Work on an Important Problem(s) In Your Field - Richard Hamming
  6. Practice Mindful & Effortless Actions, Take Risks, Shorten Your Learning Cycle - Bruce Lee, Chamath P
  7. Play Infinite Games.
  8. Be Optimistic about the Future, But Live In The Present. Avoid Extremes, Follow The Middle Way.
  9. Build Habits Consciously, Be Watchful Of Subconscious Habits - Ben Franklin, David Foster Wallace
  10. Stop Sleepwalking Through Life, Wake up! Have Bias For Action. Develop A Sense of Urgency.

Career & Startups

  1. Find What You Love Doing, Find Interests That Compound & Matter, Develop Taste - Paul Graham
  2. Marry Ability with Interest, Work Hard, Be Intentional About Your Schedule - Paul Graham
  3. Before the Startup, Think for Yourself, Avoid Conformism - Paul Graham
  4. Competition Is for Losers, From Zero to One, Focus On Editing Your Story - Peter Thiel, Jack Dorsey
  5. On Starting A Startup, Follow Essential Startup Advice - Y Combinator

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