We don't tell ourselves, 'I'm never going to write my symphony.' Instead, we say, 'I'm going to write my symphony; I'm, going to start tomorrow.'

When we sit down day after day and keep grinding, something mysterious starts to happen. Unseen forces enlist in our cause; serendipity reinforces our purpose.

Nothing is as empowering as real world validation, even if it's for failure.

The Principle of Priority states (a) you must know the difference between what is urgent and what is important, and (b) you must do what's important first.

Most of us have two lives: the life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.

Never forget: This very moment, we can change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. This second, we can turn the tables on Resistance. This second, we can sit down and do our work.

What finally convinced me to go ahead was simply that I was so unhappy not going ahead. I was developing symptoms. As soon as I sat down and began, I was okay.

The capacity for empathy and self-restraint will serve us powerfully, not only in our external wars but in the conflicts within our own hearts.

But convey this, above all, to your men: let them not yield preeminence in valor to the Spartans, rather strive to outdo them. Remember, in warfare practice of arms counts for little. Courage tells all, and we Spartans have no monopoly on that. Lead your men with this in mind and all will be well.” TWENTY-THREE It was the standing order of my master on campaign that he be woken two hours before dawn, an hour prior to the men of his platoon.

The professional dedicates himself to mastering technique not because he believes technique is a substitute for inspiration but because he wants to be in possession of the full arsenal of skills when inspiration does come.