1. Paul Arden, Whatever You Think Think the Opposite

2. TRAPPED. Its not because you are making the wrong decisions. Its because you are making the right ones. We try to make sensible decisions based on the facts in front of us. The problem with making sensible decisions is that so is everybody else. Source: Paul Arden, Whatever You Think Think the Opposite

3. I WANT. Making the safe decision is dull, predictable and leads nowhere new. The unsafe decision causes you to think and respond in a way you hadnt thought of. And that thought will lead to other thoughts which will help you achieve what you want. Start taking bad decisions and it will take you to a place where others only dream of being. Source: Paul Arden, Whatever You Think Think the Opposite

4. ARE YOU BEING REASONABLE? Most people are reasonable; thats why they only do reasonably well. Source: Paul Arden, Whatever You Think Think the Opposite

5. THE AGE OF UNREASON. Old golfers dont win (its not an absolute, its a general rule). Why? The older golfer can hit the ball as far as the younger one. He chips and putts equally well. … So why does he take the extra stroke that denies him victory? Experience. He knows the downside, what happens if it goes wrong, which makes him more cautious. The younger player is either ignorant or reckless to caution. That is his edge. It is the same with all of us. Knowledge makes us play safe. The secret is to stay childish. Source: Paul Arden, Whatever You Think Think the Opposite

6. [If you are a brilliant listener who rarely interjects the speaker will think you are brilliantbecause he will have been listening to himself.] Source: Paul Arden, Whatever You Think Think the Opposite

7. WHAT IS A GOOD IDEA? One that happens is. If it doesnt, it isnt.* *Even a bad idea that happens is better than a good idea that doesnt Source: Paul Arden, Whatever You Think Think the Opposite

8. DONT STAY TOO LONG IN A JOB. … FIRED? ITS THE BEST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU.* (*You hated your situation anyway.) … DONT GO TO UNIVERSITY. GO TO WORK.* (*Going to university usually means, I dont know what to do with my life, so Ill go to university.) Source: Paul Arden, Whatever You Think Think the Opposite

9. DONT BE NEGATIVE ABOUT REJECTION. When I was Creative Director at Saatchis I gave a young man a grilling for producing an underwhelming piece of work. Later in the day, somebody told me he was in his office crying. I went along to console him. I said, Dont worry, I was useless at your age too. Source: Paul Arden, Whatever You Think Think the Opposite

10. SIMPLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE. The world is what you think of it. So think of it differently and your life will change. Source: Paul Arden, Whatever You Think Think the Opposite

11. The best piece of advice ever given was by the art director of Harpers Bazaar, Alexey Brodovitch, to the young Richard Avedon, destined to become one of the worlds great photographers. The advice was simple: ASTONISH ME. Bear these words in mind, and whatever you do will be creative. Source: Paul Arden, Whatever You Think Think the Opposite

12. Which slogan would you choose for the V&A? THE MUSEUM OF THE ARTS THE ART OF THE MUSEUM THE NEW V&A ITS NOT FOR BORING OLD ARTS AN ACE CAFF WITH QUITE A NICE MUSEUM ATTACHED In a museum, the first question is Wheres the loo? the second is Where is the café? A visit to a museum is an outing it should be entertaining as well as elevating. Curators have to conserve art, and directors are there to serve the public, the curators and themselves. So put yourself in their position. Which line are you going to choose? One which will be effective with the public, or one that preserves the dignity of the V&A? To her everlasting credit, Elizabeth Esteve-Coll, then Director of the V&A, chose the last line. Source: Paul Arden, Whatever You Think Think the Opposite