Will
Will Smith  

Summary

Will Smith's memoir. Fantastic book into understanding the psyche behind one of America's great entertainers

Notes

Focus on one brick, not the whole wall

Never argue with a fool because from a distance, no one can tell who’s who

When you’re unaware you’re able to do something, then you just do it

All fantasies fail. No matter how hard you fight, the truth is undefeated. Reality remains the undisputed champion

It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war

It’s nearly impossible for the quality of your life to be higher than the quality of your friends

Be careful what you wish for because you might just get it

Be nice to everyone on your way up because you may pass them again on your way down

Living is the journey from not knowing to knowing. From not understanding to understanding. From confusion to clarity.

Life is like school with 1 key difference - in school you get the lesson then take the test. In life you get the test and it’s your job to take the lesson

It’s better to die than walk around scared

Choosing the city you live in is as important as a choosing a life partner

It’s respectable to lose to the universe. It’s a tragedy to lose to yourself

The universe is not logical, it’s magical

Things are always impossible right up until they’re not

Magic demands awareness/faith, preparation/work then surrender/patience

No paralysis through analysis

Change can be scary but it’s utterly unavoidable. Impermanence is the only thing you can rely on

Nothing lasts forever. Everything rises and falls

You tell me what you want and I’ll tell you who you are

What you think of as your ‘self’ is a fragile construct

For everyone who loves a dreamer: everything comes second to the dream

Dreams are built on discipline. Discipline is built on habits. Habits are built on training and training takes place in every second and situation in your life

Never underestimate the power of what you do

It is impossible to build something that is of higher quality than the quality of those around you

Don’t conflate success with love and happiness

Nobody gives a shit about anything except how they feel

The problem is the more you get, the more you want

Explore, experience, experiment, expand

To love and be loved is the highest human reward and ecstasy

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