When we ritualize a response to our biological triggers, we create the space to think clearly, and strengthen our position. Then, we identify a numbe… - Shane Parrish

Another reason we tend to push back against change is that doing something different might lead to worse results. There is an asymmetry to change — we take negative results to heart more than positive ones. Worse results make us stand out for the wrong reasons. Why risk looking like an idiot when you can remain average? We’d rather be average than risk the possibility of landing somewhere below average.

Always assuming malice puts you at the center of everyone else’s world. This is an incredibly self-centered approach to life. In reality, for every act of malice, there is almost certainly far more ignorance, stupidity, and laziness.

The only way to outperform if you’re doing undifferentiated work is to work harder than everyone else.