The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

When I read a really good book, I take notes and then tack them up where I will see them often.  I couple years ago I read The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch. 

These are some of my notes, and my Cam-isms.

Criticism:

When you're screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, that means they're giving up on you.  When you see yourself doing something badly and nobodies bothering to tell you anymore, that's a bad place to be.

Cam-ism: Not all negative feedback is productive or accurate.  But, when it comes from a place of love and respect listen with an open mind, and your defenses down.  I hope that my friends will always tell me...   I might not always agree, but I would rather know.

Determination:

The brick walls are there for a reason.  They're not there to keep us out.  The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.  Never give up, and accept a boost when offered.  And once you get over [the walls] it can be helpful to others to tell them how you did it.

Cam-ism: On one side of the brick wall are those with determination.  On the other side are those without.  Oh, and the grass really IS greener over here...

Time Management:

Time must be explicitly managed, like money.  Don't invest it on the irrelevant details: It doesn't matter how well you polish the underside of the banister.

You can always change your plan, but only if you have one.

Cam-ism:  "Free time" is wasted time.  I like to live my life with a long and never ending to-do list.  Here's why...  I learn so much when I challenge myself.  I love to look over a project and tell myself, "I can do that."  I didn't start out knowing how to do it, and no one taught me how to do it, I figured it out through determination and hard work...  Hard work and determination go hand in hand with time management. 

What Others Think:

If nobody ever worried about what was in other people's heads, we'd all be 33% more effective in our lives and on our jobs.

Cam-ism:  Yeah, I'm pretty sure the 33% is made up too.  And I'm pretty sure myself.. personally... I would be WAY more than 33% more productive if I wasn't constantly worried about what others think.  I'm getting better about it.  Way less concerned, and trying to make sure my actions reflect ME and what I want, rather than what I think other people want me to be, or do, or think.

Relationships:

When it comes to men who are romantically interested in you, it's really simple.  Just ignore everything they say, and only pay attention to what they do.

Cam-ism:  Word.

xoxo