The Best Investment Is the One You Make in Yourself

Dear friends.

I am delighted for every reader. I am particularly fond of those sincere students who want to consume multiple lessons. Few things support continuous improvement so much as regular reading.

For you, dear reader, I have collected the entire Pragmatic Wisdom series into one handy bound volume, which you can find here: Pragmatic Wisdom for the Sincere Student.

I am currently publishing the Career Paths volumes. I'll link the Complete Career Paths Series right here as soon as it's ready. In the meantime, you can access each volume as it is published.

Selected reader feedback on Pragmatic Wisdom

Your voice stands out in the best way. Your writing has a quiet confidence that I really admire. — Kakeru Hijikata

These letters share evergreen wisdom and show readers what resolve and self-discipline can achieve. Hats off to you! — HCwrites

One of the best texts I’ve read lately. Perfect. — Karsten Ramser

Perfectly said. Couldn’t agree more. You capture something that is so big with beautiful simplicity. — Harold De Gauche

This wisdom needs rereading, multiple times! Thanks for sharing – Borut

The Pragmatic Wisdom series

Here's what awaits you in the Pragmatic Wisdom series:

• Vol. 1: Stoic Lessons on Work and Retirement
  How to make the most out of work, and how to think about leaving work
• Vol. 2: Stoic Lessons on Avoiding the Public Eye
  Why it's risky to venture out in public, and how to occupy one's time fruitfully
• Vol. 3: Stoic Lessons on Living and Dying
  Existing is not living, and fear of dying is misplaced
• Vol. 4: Stoic Lessons on Learning
  A successful life is marked by learning, and the best students carry their habits beyond their school days
• Vol. 5: Stoic Principles
  What Stoicism stands for, simply and pragmatically explained
• Vol. 6: Stoic Lessons on Thinking Well
  How to think clearly, and how to live a good life through thinking well
• Vol. 7: Stoic Lessons on Money and Things
  What money and possessions are good for, and what they're not
• Vol. 8: Stoic Lessons on Understanding the World
  How to make sense of the world and our place in it

Selected reader feedback on Career Paths

I'm loving this series, James. It's wonderfully refreshing. – Debdutta Pal

This is really sound and quality advice, James – Leonard Tillerman

Beautiful lesson on patience and gratitude, James. It's sometimes hard to enjoy where you are when you're ambitious, but it's so important. – Wesley van Peer

Your essays are very motivating… I’d like to read all of these! Thank you, James, for the wisdom shared! – Natalie

You are an amazing source of insight and always get me thinking about things. Thanks for the push. – Bob Molenda

The Career Paths series

Here's what awaits you in the Career Paths series:

• Thriving at Work (Vol. 1: 26 Essential Lessons on the ABCs of Work)
  Make sense of the mystery of why some succeed and others do not, increasing the odds that luck will find you
• The Pragmatist's Rules for Work (Vol. 2: Completing the Picture on Getting Ahead at Work)
  Understanding human motivation is vital whenever humans compete with one another. These tips from the mind of Machiavelli complete the picture we began in the ABCs of Work
• Work Hard and Get Ahead (Vol. 3: 31 Tips on How to Excel at Work)
  Why do some types of hard work pay off, while others leave you tired but no further? Plus, alternative paths to the top
• Happiness and Leadership (Vol. 4: Being a Leader and Being Happy Go Hand in Hand)
  Success as a leader requires you to be self-aware and deliberate in how you approach situations. These tips help you advance in your career while paying attention to what will make you happy
• Problem Solving and Communication (Vol. 5: Master All Challenges That Confront You)
  A pragmatist knows that obstacles are both inevitable and opportunities to shine. How skilled problem-solvers overcome difficult situations and thrive

I wish you happy reading!

Be well.