Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making it Work
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For as much as I relish being a know-it-all when it comes to fashion, when it comes to the future, I haven’t got a clue. “Carry on!” is something I say to the Project Runway designers after I visit them in the workroom, and it’s something I say to myself now: Carry on, and let’s see what happens next.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
THIS BOOK WOULD NEVER have happened without the encouragement and support of a number of critical individuals. To begin, I am grateful to my agent, Jonathan Swaden of CAA, for introducing me to Peter Steinberg of the Steinberg Agency, who became my book agent. Peter has been and continues to be a boulder of support and an unflagging cheerleader. Peter helped me refine the concept of the book and, in turn, he presented a précis to several publishing houses. Patrick Price at Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books possessed such contagious enthusiasm for the book that I was instantly smitten with the imprint.
While I take great pride in authorship, Peter and Patrick understood that I would need a partner in this endeavor and, ideally, a partner who could bring to the project qualities and characteristics that I don’t and won’t possess. Specifically, I was looking for an individual of another gender and a younger generation. They introduced me to the divine Ada Calhoun. Without Ada, this book would have never materialized, literally. She was my conscience, my truth teller, my spiritual leader, and always a calm port. At a critical juncture, I gave Ada—and Peter and Patrick—plenty of reasons for why I felt the need to abandon the book. Those reasons were many—too much work, too many moving parts in my life, too many competing pressures from things that I had to do rather than what I may want to do. Fortunately, these three key friends and allies were intractable and resolute. The book must go on! I am forever grateful to them and merely hope that we have another opportunity to work together.
Finally, I must thank my family, especially my mother (god willing, she won’t read this book, because it may kill her) and sister. And I must acknowledge all the people in my life who unknowingly provided so much of the content of this book. Thank you!
Table of Contents
Introduction
RULE 1Make It Work!
RULE 2The World Owes You … Nothing
RULE 3Take the High Road
RULE 4Don’t Abuse Your Power—or Surrender It
RULE 5Get Inspired If It Kills You
RULE 6Never Underestimate Karma
RULE 7Niceties Are Nice
RULE 8Physical Comfort Is Overrated
RULE 9Talk to Me:There’s Always Another Side to the Story
RULE 10Be a Good Guest or Stay Home(I Won’t Judge You—I Hate Parties)
RULE 11Use Technology; Don’t Let It Use You
RULE 12Don’t Lose Your Sense of Smell
RULE 13Know What to Get Off Your Chestand What to Take to the Grave
RULE 14When in Rome … I Still Wouldn’t EatMonkey Brains
RULE 15When You Need Help, Get It
RULE 16Take Risks! Playing It Safe Is Never Really Safe
RULE 17Give Back (but Know Your Limits)
RULE 18Carry On!
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
Introduction
RULE 1Make It Work!
RULE 2The World Owes You … Nothing
RULE 3Take the High Road
RULE 4Don’t Abuse Your Power—or Surrender It
RULE 5Get Inspired If It Kills You
RULE 6Never Underestimate Karma
RULE 7Niceties Are Nice
RULE 8Physical Comfort Is Overrated
RULE 9Talk to Me:There’s Always Another Side to the Story
RULE 10Be a Good Guest or Stay Home(I Won’t Judge You—I Hate Parties)
RULE 11Use Technology; Don’t Let It Use You
RULE 12Don’t Lose Your Sense of Smell
RULE 13Know What to Get Off Your Chestand What to Take to the Grave
RULE 14When in Rome … I Still Wouldn’t EatMonkey Brains
RULE 15When You Need Help, Get It
RULE 16Take Risks! Playing It Safe Is Never Really Safe
RULE 17Give Back (but Know Your Limits)
RULE 18Carry On!
Acknowledgments