Here are some rules and aphorisms I have learnt from others.

As you read, remember that Swami Vivekanada said, "You cannot become an astronomer simply by walking the streets saying, 'I am an astronomer'. You need to work at it". Or as my favorite Sanskrit aphorism goes "Deeds are accomplished by effort alone. Deer do not enter the mouth of the sleeping lion". So, just reading these rules will not help you. You have to live them. That is the hard part.

• I spent a long time thinking about how one should run a company. What should its culture be based on? I managed to distill my thoughts into three words:
  • Trust
  • Respect
  • Openness
  I think these are pretty good rules for dealing with anyone. I try to live it in my personal and professional life.


• From my Tai Chi instructor, Martin Li (who was also a Professor of Physics at Stanford) I learnt that you only need to know four things:
  • Relax
  • Breathe
  • Feel the Earth
  • Do nothing extra


• I read an article about a very successful life coach (I forget his name) who taught his clients three lessons:
  • Life is good
  • Be happy now
  • Let it go


• In research, and in life, you often are lost. Here are three rules I have found useful in doing anything new
  • Start simple
  • Learn as you go
  • Prepare to change


• For those contemplating a PhD, Mihir Bellare at UC San Diego has some excellent advice . So does Ron Azuma.

Finally, a piece of wisdom from Camus: "You cannot put off living until you are ready, life is fired at you from a point blank range."