103 Bits of Advice I Wish I Had Known

Kevin Kelly gathers 103 pieces of unsolicited advice as a birthday note at age 70. The list favors practical conduct, long-term habits, careful communication, generosity, and attention to what matters in work and relationships.

Reading notes

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• The list is presented as advice he wishes he had known when young, added to over several years.
• Right timing is usually now, and small actions repeated consistently matter more than occasional bursts.
• Treat people well, forgive, keep promises, pay what you owe, and be generous with teachers, workers, and those who can do nothing for you.
• Leadership should create more leaders, not followers, and criticism belongs in private while praise belongs in public.
• Communication matters in speaking, writing, and negotiation, including pausing, listening well, and choosing the right moment to ask for salary or help.
• Curiosity, detours, trying new things, and doing work that stretches you are presented as better paths than routine optimization.
• Save, back up data, keep useful things visible, notice hidden costs, and spend time on the long game because decade-long effort compounds.
• Personal growth is tied to uncomfortable conversations, becoming the kind of person you want to be, and staying astonished rather than settling into certainty.