A Holiday Pause, and a Thanksgiving Gift

Eleven Rules of Life

Dear Friends,

I am planning a brief pause in my weekly posts. As the holidays draw near, I am busy preparing for family visits and organizing everything for the season. On top of that, I’m preparing for shoulder surgery in early December. It turns out I have a torn rotator cuff tendon, thanks to one of my horses giving me an accidental—but powerful—"bonk" to my shoulder.

I expect to resume writing again in mid-January. As always, my posts will be primarily for the founders and investors of breakthrough ventures. And they will always be free.

Last year, I shared a similar message with you. This year, I added one more rule to my growing list of “Rules of Life.” I hope these rules bring a smile or spark a thought as you navigate your own journey. From now on, I’ll make it a tradition to add one new rule every Thanksgiving.

I wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season. See you in January!

Your Venture Coach,

Norman Winarsky

Eleven Rules of Life

1. Don’t fool yourself. There are no rules of life.  As old and wise as we think we are, there are no limits to the new mistakes we will make.

2. Cherish your friends and family.  They are the only ones who will tolerate us.  Who else will laugh at the same old jokes as if it were the first time they heard it?

3. Work hard and passionately, and play hard and passionately.  Life seems pretty empty with either one alone. I spent the first fifty years on the first and hoped to spend the next fifty on the second.

4. Always have a sense of wonder.  Keep your mind open to new ideas, great ideas, crazy ideas, and big ideas. They really come true. Banish “conventional wisdom” and “common sense.” They are the enemies of innovation. I have none, as you all know, and only consider it a handicap in normal conversation. 

5. Know that 99% of your fears never come true. Don’t be afraid of them. 99% of the things that get you come out of nowhere.

6. Always be honest.  Do you know people who have lied to you?  Do you know when they have stopped?

7. Persevere.  People call problems HARD for a reason. Grip the problem with your full jaw, and hang on for the ride. It will drag you through the mud and scrape you until you’re raw.  Don’t let go.  Why is it that when you think you have succeeded, you are most likely to fail?  And when you think you are failing you are most likely to succeed?

8. Keep a place for yourself, inside yourself, of inner peace and harmony. Don’t let the assholes in, no matter how hard they knock.

9. Never argue with stupid. It is like wrestling with a pig. It wastes your time, and the pig enjoys it.

10. If you are feeling pain, you are having a growth experience. It is amazing how many people are anxious and willing to contribute to your growth.

11. Always try to be positive and happy.  It will annoy everybody.

Happy Thanksgiving 2024! 

Your Venture Coach,

Norman