“Teach Me, Sifus”

Went to lunch with Larry Niven yesterday for his 87th birthday. Wonderful time at a classy restaurant. His younger brother Mike was there, and the conversation got around to the Niven-Pournelle collaboration. We all agreed Larry was a genius who had found a way to express it successfully. And that Jerry Pournelle was scary smart, accomplished in multiple fields with two doctorates and a military commission. Jerry brought understanding of human systems to the party.

Mike asked me (very delicately, I thought) what it was that I brought to the collaboration. I thought about it, and was still figuring out my answer when Larry said “Work ethic. I’m lazy.” Everyone laughed at this, but I realized there was some honesty there.

I had no track record. Was just a kid from South Central Los Angeles with a dream. But when I had an opportunity, I was prepared to WORK MY ASS OFF, tolerate any level of discomfort, suspend my ego and LEARN in the most fantastic “writing school” I could have imagined. “Teach me, Sifus” I said, AND MEANT IT.

That was my contribution. Massive action, total loyalty, a humble spirit and an indomitable spirit. Nothing was going to stop me: I was going to knock on one door after another until SOMEONE said “yes.”

It was Larry. And I will love him all my life for giving me that chance.

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Every day, check your goals in the morning. Read them aloud.  Write them out. Know what the three most important goals are, and DO THEM FIRST.

Then at day's end, check your goals again.    What do you feel about what you did? If there are lessons, integrate them.   If goals were missed, move them to the next day.  Look at the next day: what are the most important three things to do?

Then, sleep soundly, knowing you have done your best.

Wake up tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow and do it again.   And again.  Endlessly.

THAT is the secret to Mastery that people don't want to admit.

Be one of the few: the world needs you.