25 Things I Learned from Biz: A Recollection of Life Changing Philosophies!

Things I learned from Biz Stone Co-Creator of Twitter

This list was compiled of all the advice and philosophies I sticky tabbed while reading Biz’s book Things A little Bird Told Me: Confessions of a Creative Mind. Though much of what he talked about was specific to starting your own company, and building a profitable business in general, a lot of what he said, and he even mentioned it himself, can be applied to your everyday life and how you live in society.

I felt the lessons I learned in his anecdotes were worth simplifying into a neat list for my friends and family. I also included various quotes to better emphasize the concisely stated ideals. I hope you learn something life changing from his words as I did. Enjoy!

1. Re-invent yourself. Be the persona in your wildest fantasies.
2. Take risks and make your own opportunities.
3. Creativity is a renewable resource. Challenge yourself everyday. Find a new approach to something, anything. “Experience and curiosity drive us to make unexpected, offbeat connections. It is these nonlinear steps that often lead to the greatest work (23).”
4. Creativity is infinite (it’s worth saying again!).
5. Be willing to fail, don’t be afraid. Go past the point of no return.
6. Be engaged in your work. If you don’t love what you do there is no point in doing it.
1. “...I realized the value of emotional investment. you know in your heart something’s worth pursuing; you’re not sure exactly why, but it doesn’t matter. Success isn’t guaranteed, but failure is certain if you aren’t truly emotionally invested in your work (51).”
7. Embrace your constraints...they are proactive. They are challenging. They wake you up. They make you more creative. They make you better (57).
8. Working together is better than working alone.
9. Be human it yields good will; Embrace your flaws and be honest.
10. Be genuine! “It doesn’t pay to be bulletproof. nobody is flawless and when you act as if you are, it always rings false (95).”
11. Failure is part of the path!
1. “...Failure is part of the path. It was worth the risk. in fact, it was a critical component of growth. By sharing it with our users, we were showing our ultimate confidence in ourselves and our success. We weren’t quitting, and we hoped our faith would inspire theirs (97).
12. Solutions emerge if you look for the positive. “...finding the bright spot. When everything’s wrong and broken, instead of harping on what’s wrong and broken, find what works, and build on that. Seek out the positive ‘bright spot’ amid seemingly limitless negativity (101).”
1. “...the bright spot theory is about a fundamentally positive outlook. Rose-colored glasses tint the world with false beauty. But an open, curious, optimistic mind yields solutions, and has a better time along the way (102).”
13. Leadership sometimes means “cultivating the appearance of confidence.”
14. You set your own value so set it high.
15. Be open to the idea that you do not have all the answers, but the people around you might.
16. There’s no harm in proposing change. Just make sure your ducks are in a row:
1. “...opportunities like this are easier to recognize and implement in the workplace….Rules are there to help us--to create a culture, to streamline productivity, and to promote success. But we’re not computers that need to be programmed. We’re all a bunch of oddballs. Just because someone has authority, doesn’t mean they know better. If you approach your bosses or colleagues with respect, and your goals are in alignment, there’s often room for a little customization and flexibility….The solution, always, is to listen carefully -- to your own needs and to those of the people around you (148).”
17. Be diligent in the pursuit of your goals.
18. Never follow rules blindly: “Trust your instincts, know what you want, and believe in your ability to achieve it. Rules and conventions are important for schools, businesses, and society in general, but you should never follow them blindly. And it always helps to have a like-minded partner in crime (154).”
19. Assumptions = Fear and “Fear in the absence of knowledge breeds irrationality (158)”
20. Always seek knowledge in the face of fear!....keep your mind open, pursue knowledge, and see the bigger picture (159).
21. In everything you do employ these virtues: empathy, altruism, humanity, open mindedness;
22. Employ these affirmative assumptions: you don’t always know what’s going to happen; some people are smarter than you; do the right thing; the only deal worth doing is a win-win deal; people have good intentions; you can be successful, change the world, and have fun.
23. Give back to your community every chance you get. It doesn’t have to be monetarily. Deeds are returnable investments as well.
24. Stand up for what you believe is right.
25. Collaboration is better than nasty competition. Band together, support one another, and encourage progressive change.