Need help with barre chords? Call an expert! (Not me. Don’t call me).

Learn from the experts. You’ll never live long enough to learn it all yourself. — Unknown

If you read blogs like this, you’re probably the kind of person who likes to figure things out for yourself.

Maybe you taught yourself how to drive stick or lay tile.

Perhaps you assemble furniture without the instructions. “Away from me, glossy drivel! I need none of your so-called help. I will master this bookshelf using only my own wits and this screwdriver.”

Steely Dan in Kansas City. And on a school night!

There are people who prefer to say “Yes” and there are people who prefer to say “No.” Those who say “Yes” are rewarded by the adventures they have, and those who say “No” are rewarded by the safety they attain. — Keith Johnstone, Impro

When a new experience presents itself, do you assume the answer is no and make sure there’s no reason to say yes?

The Lakewalk in Duluth, Minnesota.

You have to take opportunities and make an opportunity fit for you, rather than the other way around. — Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

How well should a shoe fit?

Perfectly, of course. Or really close. Blisters are no fun.

What about a new opportunity?

If you’re considering taking on additional responsibilities at work, starting a side business, or even changing careers, how well should the new situation fit you?

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs

Have you ever asked for something you didn’t think you would get?

Of course you have.

Have you ever been surprised that the answer was “yes?”

Probably you have, and I bet it’s happened more than once.

Yet most of us (me included) are a little afraid of asking, and it’s holding us back. If we can set this fear aside, we’ll be rewarded.

The Reading Room at the Boston Public Library. A great place to do some deep thinking about one’s life.

We are prone to coasting.

We do things the same way we did them yesterday because that’s the way we’ve always done them.

Inertia is powerful. Living an intentional life takes effort, and knowing we need to change something doesn’t make the changing part any easier (and neither does writing a personal development blog, trust me). Our lives are like ocean liners: it takes a lot of energy to change course.