1. If you want to feel better on a daily basis, try this tip: Stop beating the world to the punch. I don't know how many times I've heard people criticize themselves two minutes into a conversation, critique their ideas prior to them even being fully formed, and generally verbalize thoughts of personal inadequacy without due reason. Stop! The world will eventually (momentarily) bring you to your knees if you live long enough; you can either walk around wearing knee pads or you can simply do your best in each moment and not apologize for every flaw you display.

2. Here's a great way to double your enjoyment and productivity with your reading list: Always be sure that you have two books going at a time, one in audio format (for your car, MP3 player, whatever) and one in hardcover. Topics don't matter. You'll “read” twice as many books, and have fun doing it.

3. Conduct difficult or important conversations when your energy is highest. These conversations may take many forms-from discussing employee performance to asking for a raise or promotion, but they deserve your utmost attention. This means that you may need to postpone some conversations that “pop up” at inopportune times (heading out the door on a Friday evening, over lunch, whatever), but a simple statement such as “Bob, you've asked a good question, and it deserves my full attention. How bout we sit down together first thing on Monday and I'll provide you with some answers?” can be a very effective way to deal with such situations.

4. Want a quick and accurate read on anyone's level of personal integrity? Pay attention to how they talk about:
   1. Someone not present during the conversation
   2. Ex-lovers, partners, or spouses
   3. Their past failures

   You'll learn almost all you need to know if you listen carefully enough.

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1. Staring at the Sun, by Irvin Yalom
   Great read on dealing with the issue of our own mortality in daily life, by the best therapist of our times.

2. American Creation, by Joseph Ellis
   Another solid offering by Joseph Ellis, this book discusses the behind the scenes workings of the founding brothers during the American Revolution.

3. Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich, by Mark Kriegel
   Anyone who doesn't know who Pistol Pete was, and calls themselves a fan of basketball, is lying to you.

4. On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society, by Dave Grossman
   An engrossing read on the psychological aspects of dealing with killing, particularly as it pertains to war.

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I've come to a conclusion in my everyday dealings with others, and I'd like to share it. Here it is: Those people that don't take themselves too seriously are the most interesting people to know. Why?

-they admit failures, and let you learn from them -they laugh often -they can keep their ego in check long enough to listen to how your day is going -they understand the power of perspective, and use it often -they tend to make you comfortable in their presence, even if by accident

So, why do we take ourselves too seriously? The quick answer is because we have overvalued others' opinion of ourselves and undervalued our own. Another reason might be that we have lost perspective on the big picture, which is that we are all “fellow travelers” headed down the same road.

We need to get over ourselves. We can do this by looking inward instead of outward for reasons to feel good about ourselves. We can also start looking at ourselves for what we really are: individuals that, despite our best efforts, make mistakes, and often. We bumble and stumble, despite our best intentions, and sometimes even fail miserably. So why try to pretend as if we are anything different? Personally, I like to disabuse people of any notions they might have of me as a perfect individual, and quickly. I don't want, or need, that kind of pressure. Do you?

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