Focus on your core work
FocusA professional's legacy is defined by their main body of work, not their personal flaws or minor projects. One should strive to do their primary task exceptionally well above all else.
Hall of Masters
Henry David Thoreau
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Philosophy and wisdom traditions1817-1862
Author of Walden and Civil Disobedience
909 records in all
- Principles 298
- Episodes 287
- Quotes 324
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Photo: Benjamin D. Maxham active 1848 - 1858 Public domain Original cropped
Principles
45 basic records of 298
Principles are our summary of their public statements.
Focus on Genius Over Perfection
ProductPrioritize high-quality inspiration and raw genius over flawless but uninspiring execution. The grandest achievements do not depend on delicate finish but on the power of the underlying idea.
Detach From Past Work
MindsetOnce a project is completed, let it go and allow the world to judge its worth. A creator should move on to new business rather than obsessing over past outputs.
Live by Inward Standards
FocusFocus on living well according to an inward standard rather than seeking to dress well or stand well with the community. True productivity may look like idleness to others if it involves necessary reflection and thought.
Master the art of self-revelation
ContentTo engage an audience while talking about oneself, a creator must combine natural frankness with a sense of humor and personal privacy.
Evolve beyond mere prettiness
WritingAs a creator matures, they must move from delicate aesthetics to work that is more worldly, clear, and nourished by the realities of life.
Embrace professional generosity
LeadershipSupporting and praising the success of peers in your field fosters a healthy environment and reflects a confident, manly heart.
Unobtrusive Value Delivery
MarketingGreat work should enter the customer's soul naturally through its subject matter rather than startling them or aggressively demanding admiration for itself.
Authenticity Over Instruction
WritingTrue readability and the ability to connect with others come from one's nature and genuine interest in life, rather than from formal instruction alone.
Maintain momentum through regular work
ProductivityIt is easier to keep a creative machine running through consistent output than to restart it after a long period of rest.
Authenticity Over Repentance
ContentIn writing and content, honesty about one's flaws is more compelling than moralizing or expressing regret for past mistakes.
Iterative Product Improvement
ProductTechnical problems can be solved by revisiting and refining existing processes, such as using clay as a binder to improve product quality.
Hire for passion not money
HiringA business owner should seek employees who perform their work out of love for the craft rather than just for a paycheck.
Embrace your unique cognitive style
MindsetA person's specific psychological traits and preferences for routine or solitude can be the very foundation of their creative identity and unique perspective.
Prioritize Firsthand Experience Over Theory
ContentA writer or creator should provide a sincere account of their own lived experience rather than merely repeating what they have heard from others.
Seek Raw Material for Growth
CreativityTrue innovation and vigor come from unrefined, wild sources rather than polished, civilized ones.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Prioritize the gospel of now
MindsetTrue health and alertness come from staying in season with the present moment rather than being anchored to the past.
Supporting quotes
I might have walked about the foot of the tree for threescore years and ten, and yet I certainly should never have seen them.
Source Henry David Thoreau Walking (opens in a new tab)
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Prioritize structural integrity
ProductWhen resources are limited, the quality and solidity of the build can compensate for a lack of scale or size.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Protect your core tools
ManagementA professional must treat their primary equipment with extreme care to prevent damage that could halt operations.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Seek contrast for maximum impact
StrategyThe value of an experience is heightened by the difficulty that preceded it; favorable conditions are best appreciated right after foul ones.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
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