You may remember I gave you my top five quotes. That was then, this is now. My top quotes change based on the moment, and I reserve the right to change my mind at any given time for any reason. No rules. Here are my current ones, each with a short breakdown.

Fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run.

-Rudyard Kipling

The next time you’re having a rough moment, get off your ass and sprint. I dare you not to find your condition improved. Oh, and Rudyard won’t tell you this, but reading his work in a time of struggle is scientifically proven to be a mood elevator.

Errors using inadequate data are much less than those using no data at all.

-Charles Babbage

Who the hell is Charles Babbage? That is the correct response. This is a lifestyle website. Babbage is sometimes referred to as “father of computing.” His “Difference Engine No.1” was the first successful automatic calculator and is among the finest examples of precision engineering of the 1800s.

These words remind us to do our proper research. We should thoroughly evaluate all the information at our hands, not simply that which confirms our biases. We should use track record to make predictions about what might happen going forward. Essentially, mistakes are acceptable; lazy mistakes are less so.

“t is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.

-Nelson Mandela

This is a relatively simple concept. Mandela, if asked, would take this a step further. When there is indeed danger and the crew comes out safe on the other side, the truly inspiring leader will spotlight the ways his people displayed courage. Soldiers desire appreciation…scratch that, humans desire appreciation. Leaders are acutely aware of this.

I bought a company in the mid-’90s called Dexter Shoe and paid $400 million for it. And it went to zero. And I gave about $400 million worth of Berkshire stock, which is probably now worth $400 billion. But I’ve made lots of dumb decisions. That’s part of the game.

-Warren Buffett

Wait, Buffett made ill-advised decisions and failed in his vetting process over and over and is still the greatest investor ever? Abe Lincoln lost numerous elections and had a nervous breakdown before becoming our president and issuing the Emancipation Proclamation? Swing. Miss. Practice, learn and swing again.

Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.

-Paulo Coelho

My grandfather is 100 years old. He says, “Why would I ever leave Southern California? It doesn’t get better than this.” I dig SoCal, but the exhilaration of new life experiences cannot be attained without venturing out. An elevated risk factor brings new and rich flavors and sensations.

If you’re looking for a novel that will encourage you to venture out of your comfort zone, check out Coelho’s The Alchemist.

As always, I encourage you to post in the comments section what invigorates you, causes you to become introspective or makes you laugh. Bring it.

Kap