 | The number-one most important fact to understand if you want to get things done |
| We all have things we want done. Or more precisely, we have things about the world we wish to change, and realize we'll to put in some effort to do so. |
 | Does objective reality exist? |
| From Scientologists, to The Matrix, to a recent post by Steve Pavlina, there are a lot of people out there who seem to be claiming that objective reality doesn’t exist. Or at least, that it only exists in the way you choose it to. |
 | With effort and inner-strength, you can be good at almost anything |
| It's a cliche for writers like me to say "You can be anything you want to". I like to be a little different in most things, but on this one I agree to a large extent. With a little effort and inner-strength, most people can become way above average at almost anything. |
| Most people start with a conclusion and then search for the facts to support it |
| Most of us realise that the people we deal with in everyday life often aren't rational. They behave in ways that bewilder. They do things that seem immoral, stupid and not in their own interests. They hold beliefs that just seem crazy. |
 | Do lots of small favors for people |
| One of the most powerful unspoken rules in human behavior is that of reciprocation. In other words, if I do you a favor, I expect you to do one for me in return. |
 | Taking charge of your eating habits |
| Many people have trouble controlling their eating habits. You can see it in the rapidly expanding waistlines of the world's population. But what we decide to take into our bodies is something we can take charge of. |
 | Understand opportunity costs |
| A critical idea to understand for a successful life is that of opportunity costs. It is one of the key concepts of economics, but is very easy to appreciate for anyone. |
| You have to run pretty fast in this life even just to stay still |
| The Red Queen is a character in the Lewis Caroll fantasy story "Through the Looking Glass". The main character in the story, Alice, comes across the Red Queen and finds her always running in the same spot. |
| How to win an argument |
| Arguments and debates are facts of life whether you like it or not. How well you can present a case in negotiations with your spouse, friends, colleagues, political opponents and business partners makes a big difference to how far you'll get with your various agendas. Here are some proven strategies for winning. |
| The world's best investment |
| Many people don't think of it consciously, but much of our lives are spent deciding how to invest our resources. Families decide whether to move into a bigger house, or save their money and stay in the current one. Young women decide which man they should bet their reproductive potential on. Workers ponder what they should do with their holidays. And so on. |