Notes from reading: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

last

This book is list of wisdom shared by Randy Pausch, he had cancer and few months to live.  I got this book from my sister’s bookshelf, it is one of the best read for me so far this year, extremely recommended.

These are some notes, some are titles of the book [self explanatory] :

  1. Dream big.
  2. Acquire leadership skills, it is important in every aspect of life.
  3. Not all fairy tales end smoothly.
  4. Automobiles are there to get you from point A to point B. They are utilitarian devices, not expressions of social status.
  5. The truth can set you free.
  6. Spend sometime with your loved ones, take vacation. Stay away from others/office works when in leisure.
  7. Spend your time wisely, it should be managed like money .
  8. You can always change your plan if you have another one.
  9. Ask yourself: Are you spending time on right things?
  10. Keep telephone away, do not make it integral part of life.
  11. Delegate, find smart people to take over your task & delver it quicker/better.
  12. Develop a real ability to assess yourself.
  13. Teamwork is one key reason of any organizations success.
  14. Be earnest person over a hip person every time.
  15. With the passage of time , and the deadlines that life imposes, surrendering become right thing to do.
  16. Don’t complain, just work harder.
  17. Treat the disease, not the symptom.
  18. Don’t obsess over what people think.
  19. Look for best in everybody.
  20. What what they do not what they say.
  21. Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
  22. Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.
  23. Dance with the one who brung you.
  24. Its not how hard you hit. It’s how hard you get hit … and keep moving forward. [Rocky] 
  25. Experince is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. And experince is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.
  26. Failure is not just acceptable, it’s often essential. The person who failed often knows how to avoid future failures. The person who knows only success can be more oblivious to all the pitfalls.
  27.  Get people’s attention. That’s always the first step to solving an ignored problem.
  28. Say thank you, whenever needed.
  29. Loyalty is a two way street.
  30.  Show gratitude.
  31. When you go into wilderness, the only thing you can count on is what you take ith you.
  32. A bad apology is worst than no apology.
  33. Tell the truth.
  34. No job is a small job.
  35. Never give up.
  36. When we are connected to others, we become better people.
  37. All you have to do is to ask.
  38. Make a decision with life either live pessimistic or optimistic throughout.
  39. Do ask/get inputs from others.
  40. Life is not about how to achieve your dreams. It’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life in right way, the karma will take care of itself.