I’ve gotten older

I’ve gotten older

You may have noticed that the banner photo on the front of Bernoff.com has changed. I’m older. The original photo was taken about 13 years ago. Since then my hair has gone grey and has begun thinning in front. I was also diagnosed with and successfully treated for prostate cancer. My mind is also not…

64 and beyond

64 and beyond

(Apologies if you tried to see this post before, it was inaccessible due to a WordPress bug.) Today I am 64. 64 is the first whole number (after 0 and 1, of course) that is both a perfect square and perfect cube. It is the only age commemorated in a Beatles song that is both…

The cost of arrogance

The cost of arrogance

I was arrogant throughout my career. It based on a justifiable pride about my own capabilities. But it deprived me of something crucial: an appreciation for the best qualities of other people. How I became arrogant I’m going to tell you about me. It’s going to sound like bragging. But it’s all factual. I was…

How to judge people

How to judge people

Am I a failure? Let’s look at the evidence. I went to a state university and left after three years. I dropped out of graduate school. My first marriage lasted less than five years and ended in divorce. I was left with nothing. My first job was writing software manuals. I’ve never joined a company…