The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Some points I liked about this book and which I feel are something I should think about later are given below:

 

1.     Anybody out there who is a parent, if your kids want to paint their bedrooms, as a favor to me, let them do it. It'll be OK. Don't worry about resale value on the house

2.     You always have to bring something to the table. Only then are you welcome.

3.     You have got to get the fundamentals down as the fancy stuff is not going to work.

4.     Instilling self esteem in children – Give them something that they can't do, they work hard until they find they can do it, and you just keep repeating the process.

5.     Important things – Teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship, the value of hard work, an ability to deal with adversity

6.     I don't believe in the no-win scenario

7.     Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something

8.     Start by sitting together

a.     Meet people properly

b.     Find things you have in common

c.     Try for optimal meeting conditions

d.     Let everyone talk

e.     Check egos at the door

f.     Praise each other

g.     Phrase alternatives not questions – "I think we should do A, not B" should be re-phrased as "What if we did A, instead of B"

9.     Almost everyone has a good side. Just keep waiting. It will come out.

10.   When it comes to men who are romantically interested in you, just ignore everything they say and only pay attention to what they do.

11.   Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity

12.   Experience is what you get when you did not get what you wanted.

13.   Get people's attention

14.   Use "Thank You" notes liberally

15.   The best short-cut is the long way – Work Hard

16.   Give people gifts.

17.   When giving an apology, any performance less than an "A" doesn't count

18.   You should have a contingency plan when all hell breaks loose.

19.   He said he'd prefer that I worked hard and became the best ditch-digger in the world rather than coasting along as a self-impressed elitist behind a desk

20.  If you want something bad enough, never give up (and take a boost when given)