I would like to avoid making these mistakes. But how do you avoid mistakes you make by default? Ideally you transform your life so it has other defaults. But it may not be possible to do that completely. As long as these mistakes happen by default, you probably have to be reminded not to make them. So I inverted the 5 regrets, yielding a list of 5 commandsDon't ignore your dreams; don't work too much; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy.which I then put at the top of the file I use as a todo list.
via paulgraham.com
Right on, PG.