Before & Laughter

1. Embrace Your Edge: Discover and Leverage Your Unique Strengths

Nobody can compete with you at being you.

Identify your edge. Your unique combination of skills, experiences, and personality traits sets you apart from others. To find your edge, ask yourself:

• What do people say is hard for them, but you find easy?
• What is something other people value that you can do?
• What would you do anyway, even if no one paid you?

Lean into your strengths. Once you've identified your edge, focus on developing and leveraging it. Don't waste time trying to be a jack-of-all-trades. Specialization is key in our modern economy. Remember, it's not about being the best at everything, but being exceptional at what you do best.

Be authentically you. Don't try to fit into a mold or please everyone. Your uniqueness is your greatest asset. Embrace your quirks, your passions, and your perspective. As you become more comfortable with who you are, you'll attract opportunities and people that align with your authentic self.

2. Cultivate a Happy Disposition: Choose Your Attitude and Perspective

If you can see the world through my eyes, well, let's just say I laugh my funny laugh a lot.

Attitude is everything. Your disposition shapes how you experience life and how others perceive you. Cultivating a positive outlook doesn't mean ignoring life's challenges, but rather approaching them with resilience and humor.

Find humor in everyday situations. Laughter is a powerful tool for coping with stress and connecting with others. Train yourself to see the funny side of things, even in difficult situations. This skill will make you more resilient and help you build stronger relationships.

Practice gratitude. Regularly acknowledge the good things in your life, no matter how small. This habit will shift your focus from what's lacking to what you have, fostering a more positive disposition overall.

3. Master the Art of Communication: Listen, Observe, and Connect

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

Become an active listener. Pay attention not just to words, but to tone, body language, and context. Practice repeating back what you've heard to ensure understanding and show empathy.

Develop your observational skills. Notice patterns in behavior, speech, and situations around you. This awareness will help you pick up on subtleties in communication and give you material for humor and connection.

Use humor to bridge gaps. Laughter creates instant bonds between people. Learn to use self-deprecating humor, witty observations, and well-timed jokes to put others at ease and facilitate communication.

4. Harness the Power of Creativity: Break Patterns and Make Connections

Pattern recognition is the basis of IQ tests and Darwinian evolution.

Train your brain to recognize patterns. Look for similarities and differences in seemingly unrelated things. This skill is fundamental to creativity and problem-solving.

Make unexpected connections. Creativity often comes from combining existing ideas in new ways. Practice linking concepts from different fields or experiences to generate novel ideas.

Embrace constraints. Limitations can actually boost creativity by forcing you to think outside the box. When faced with restrictions, challenge yourself to find innovative solutions within those boundaries.

5. Take Calculated Risks: Learn from Failure and Keep Moving Forward

The hard work of learning your craft is about delayed gratification.

Embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Each setback provides valuable information and experience. Analyze what went wrong, adjust your approach, and try again.

Start small and scale up. Begin with low-stakes risks to build confidence and experience. As you become more comfortable with uncertainty, gradually take on bigger challenges.

Develop a growth mindset. Believe in your ability to improve and learn new skills. This perspective will help you see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.

6. Prioritize Long-Term Success: Delay Gratification and Invest in Your Future

Prioritise later over now.

Practice delayed gratification. Resist the temptation of immediate rewards in favor of long-term benefits. This skill is crucial for achieving lasting success and happiness.

Invest in your skills and knowledge. Continuously learn and improve your craft. The time and effort you invest now will pay dividends in the future.

Make decisions with the future in mind. When faced with choices, consider the long-term implications. Ask yourself how your actions today will affect your life in 5, 10, or 20 years.

7. Develop a Strong Work Ethic: Start, Keep Going, and Refine Your Craft

I don't work hard, I work frequently.

Consistency is key. Make progress every day, even if it's just a small step. Regular, focused effort compounds over time and leads to significant achievements.

Focus on the process, not just the outcome. Enjoy the journey of mastering your craft. Find satisfaction in the daily work, not just the end result.

Continuously refine your skills. Never stop learning and improving. Seek feedback, analyze your performance, and actively work on your weaknesses.

8. Build Resilience: Handle Criticism, Setbacks, and Public Scrutiny

If you can laugh about anything but not with anyone.

Develop a thick skin. Learn to separate constructive criticism from meaningless negativity. Use valid feedback to improve, and let go of unproductive comments.

Maintain perspective. Remember that setbacks are temporary and don't define you. Focus on the bigger picture and your long-term goals.

Use humor as a coping mechanism. Learn to laugh at yourself and find humor in difficult situations. This skill will help you bounce back from adversity more quickly.

9. Create Your Own Luck: Preparation Meets Opportunity

The harder you work, the luckier you get.

Be prepared for opportunities. Continuously improve your skills and knowledge so you're ready when chances arise.

Put yourself out there. Attend events, network, and take on new challenges. The more you engage with the world, the more opportunities you'll encounter.

Stay open-minded. Sometimes luck comes in unexpected forms. Be willing to explore new paths and ideas, even if they don't fit your original plan.

10. Find Your Purpose: Align Your Passions with Your Career

Work is more fun than fun.

Identify what truly motivates you. Reflect on what activities make you lose track of time and what issues you care deeply about.

Experiment with different paths. Try various roles and projects to discover what resonates with you. Don't be afraid to pivot if something isn't working.

Align your skills with your passions. Find ways to combine your strengths and interests in your career. When your work feels meaningful, you'll be more motivated and successful.

Last updated: January 23, 2025