In 2011, Denzel Washington was asked to give a commencement speech at the University of Pennsylvania. Although the entire message is quite good, a single 54-second segment changed the way I think about life.

Major cheat code in life: Understanding you can reinvent yourself at any time. New habits, new standards, new friend group, new career, etc. There's no rule that says you have to stay the person you've always been. You're allowed to decide––"I'm done being this version of me.".

RT @blakeaburge: Confidence is a tricky thing. Too much, and you'll be insufferable to be around. Not enough, and you'll never find out w….

RT @blakeaburge: Early career advice from my father: “If you don’t do the small things well, they’ll never trust you to do the big things.….

Confidence is a tricky thing. Too much, and you'll be insufferable to be around. Not enough, and you'll never find out what you're truly capable of. The sweet spot? Enough belief to bet on yourself + enough humility that others actually want to root you on.

Early career advice from my father: “If you don’t do the small things well, they’ll never trust you to do the big things. Remember that. Everything you do matters—act accordingly.”.

Underrated life advice: Stop pointing fingers. I’ve never seen someone blame their way to a better life. The day you stop asking, “Whose fault is this?” and start asking, “What can I do next?” is the day you stop adding to the problem––and start solving it.

RT @blakeaburge: After 15 years of marriage, here’s what I know: Love isn’t finding the perfect person. It’s sticking with the imperfect on….

After 15 years of marriage, here’s what I know: Love isn’t finding the perfect person. It’s sticking with the imperfect one. Real love is two flawed people––annoying habits, odd quirks, bad moods, all of it––showing up daily and not trying to "fix" each other.

RT @blakeaburge: Most people don’t need a 5-year plan. They need a 5-day stretch with no alcohol, 8 hours of sleep, a daily walk outdoors,….

Most people don’t need a 5-year plan. They need a 5-day stretch with no alcohol, 8 hours of sleep, a daily walk outdoors, and a notebook. Clarity comes fast when you create the conditions to support it.

RT @blakeaburge: The smartest people I know all have this in common: They change their minds often. It’s not a weakness, being wishy-washy,….

The smartest people I know all have this in common: They change their minds often. It’s not a weakness, being wishy-washy, or a sign of flaky beliefs. It’s proof that their ego doesn’t outrank new information. The goal isn't to be right, it's to get it right.

RT @blakeaburge: Being unoffendable is a massive life advantage in today's world. The ability to let nonsense or a differing opinion pass w….

Being unoffendable is a massive life advantage in today's world. The ability to let nonsense or a differing opinion pass without having a reaction will change your life. No response, no letting it get under your skin, and definitely no letting it alter the course of your day.

RT @blakeaburge: I've hired 100's of people in my career, here's what I know: most managers don’t want a genius. They want someone who show….