Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers

by Timothy Ferriss

Advice for Your 30-Year-Old Self? GABBY: “Not to take anything personally, but also don’t hold yourself back. I think this is a trait of a female more than of a male. We have a tendency sometimes to sit on our talents and potential because we don’t want to offend anyone or be singled out. . . . I heard a great story. I had a coach once, who was an assistant coach to the men’s USA volleyball team. One game [they needed one point], and the coach looked straight at Karch Kiraly and said, ‘I need you to put this ball away and for you to win this game,’ and it was like, boom—‘Okay.’ And then Karch did it. “[Then the same coach] was coaching women at a very high level, and he did the same thing to the athlete who was ‘the one.’ It didn’t work because . . . [it’s] a singling-out that we [women] have a hard time with, instead of understanding that you can be singled out . . . for the greater good.” LAIRD: “Stop drinking now. Stop drinking right now and patent all your ideas . . . and exercise compassion every day.”