Cars

Fiat 500 (original)
Volkswagen Golf (Mk IV)
Subaru Forester (pre-2007)
Mercedes C-Class (pre-2001)
Mazda MX5 (NA)
Mercedes 200 (W123)
Saab 900 (Canary yellow)
Alfa Spider (Series 1-4)
Any Landrover
Audi A4 (pre-2006)

Rigorously black or red
Practical and low-key

Manners

Be polite
Don't curse or lose temper
Hello my name is _____
Stand when ladies leave
Open doors
Help with packages and seats
Excuse me
Pardon me
Tip discreetly and well
How are you this evening

Essential

Have little but have exactly the right thing
Have less but treasure more
Remove desire for non-essential
Things lose uniqueness but add to clutter
Rent or borrow things that are rarely used

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Simplicity in character, in manners, in style; in all things the supreme excellence is simplicity."

35 years old

Lovely wife
House with a garden
Excellent housekeeper/cook
Pet dog
No debt
4 day weeks/ 30 hr weeks
2 week holidays 3 times a year
Daily swim and run
Friends in business and the arts
Smart conversation

Death

Be ready to die each day - finish what you set out to do
We all die, there's nothing to lose so do what you love
Love what you do or you're dead
Memento mori - remember you will die
If today were the last day of my life, would I do the same thing?

Weekdays

12am-6am Sleep
6am-7am Workout
7am-8am Shower, breakfast
8am-9am Bus to work, read paper
9am-7pm Work, lunch, work
7pm-9pm Dinner with work associates / friends / family
9pm-12pm Read, think, reflect

Do not be over-absorbed in work. Seek balance, not money
Develop transferable skills, aim for next promotion
Be smart, hardworking, principled, a team-player

Leonardo da Vinci

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."