// Richard Hart / Hates_

Regret Minimization Framework

life

I wanted to project myself forward to age 80 and say, “Okay, now I’m looking back on my life. I want to have minimized the number of regrets I have.” I knew that when I was 80 I was not going to regret having tried this. I was not going to regret trying to participate in this thing called the Internet that I thought was going to be a really big deal. I knew that if I failed I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not ever having tried.

Never regret not succeeding, only ever regret not trying.

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Right now

life

Right now, somewhere in the world, a child is being born into an uberly rich family. That child will grow up to inherit millions for absolutely no work. He’ll live the good life full of yachts and private jets.

Right now, somewhere in the world, there is a party happening full of gorgeous wealthy people who need not lift a finger to attain the luxuries that they have. Their success is only a matter of genetics and luck.

Right now, somewhere in the world, is an investment banker who is making literally millions after clicking a few buttons and making a few phone calls to a few friends. He knows the right people and is in the right place, and that’s all that matters.

Right now, somewhere in the world, is a 20-some year old guy who is worth billions because of a website he started. He was born into a family that sent him to the right high school. He then went on to one of the best universities in the country, built his website, moved, met the right people, and raised $500+ million in funding. He and likely generations down the line are set for life.

Right now, somewhere in the world, is a 17yr old teenager who started a company with some money from his parents, built a product, with help from friends and family, and got acquired for $30 million.

There’s always someone becoming richer than you for much less work, every second of the day. Look past that and just keep working. I get down about how unfair that is from time to time, but there’s nothing you can really do about it, other than focus on your work.

Love this comment on the Summly acquisition. Burning up inside about what others have achieved won’t get you any closer to your goals. All you can do is make it fuel your desire even more. So get back to work and make it happen.

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Peter’s laws

quotes, Uncategorized
  • If anything can go wrong, fix it! (To hell with Murphy!)
  • When given a choice, take both.
  • Multiple projects lead to multiple successes.
  • Start at the top and work your way up.
  • Do it by the book… but be the author.
  • When forced to compromise, ask for more.
  • If you can’t beat them, join them, and then beat them.
  • If it’s worth doing, it’s got to be done now!
  • If you can’t win, change the rules.
  • If you can’t change the rules, then ignore them.
  • Perfection is not optional.
  • When faced without a challenge, make one.
  • “No” simply means begin again at one level higher.
  • Don’t walk when you can run.
  • When in doubt, THINK!
  • Patience is a virtue, but persistence to the point of success is a blessing.
  • The squeaky wheel gets replaced.
  • The faster you move, the slower time passes, the longer you live!
  • Bureaucracy is a challenge to be conquered with a righteous attitude, a tolerance for stupidity, and a bulldozer when necessary.
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Linux years

linux, Uncategorized

Display the full year of a file on Linux with:


ls -l --full-time
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Ship It!

computing

“Any fool with a text editor can write code, but only an amazing few can code and make good choices around trade-offs. That’s the most valuable skill a developer can possess: the ability to make hard decisions.” – Ship It!

Shipping is hard. Perhaps even the hardest part when it comes to writing software. Opening yourself to real criticism is the most frightening and liberating thing you can do.

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