Top 10 Things We Can Learn From David Letterman--And No This Is Not From Our Home Office In Lincoln Nebraska

David Letterman and Bill Murray

10. It's ok to be a bit wacky: We are who we are, and often that means being different. In this world, we need to have role-models who celebrate the wacky, the different, the off the wall--it's what makes this world great.

9. A good prank can brighten up life: In our world right now, there is so much to be serious about: the convergence of social and economic and political and technological shifts and changes and insecurities, etc. It's easy to walk around moribund. Pranks, when tasteful and harmless, can be a wonderful way to laugh and enjoy one another--Letterman knew this better than anyone.

8. Have a side-kick: We need friends in this world who stick with us through thick and thin, who can buffer our wackiness, play great music--and being from Thunder Bay sure helps. In Paul Shaffer we saw a great co-pilot who had fun, gave and received a lot of laughs, and brought in top musical talent. We all need side-kicks in our lives.

7. Meet new friends--then have a riot together: Letterman was infamous for inviting celebrities from all walks of life onto his show and then having a riot with them. He loved to have fun, poke fun, banter around. In our world today, there is so much fear of others. There was something disarming about Letterman's interviews that even when people came on the show serious, they ended up laughing and having a good time.

6. Have fun with pets: How can we not forget about Letterman's stupid pet tricks? He brought on people who had pets who did bizarre things that were absolutely hilarious. Makes you think about a relationship one can have with a pet... I have a friend whose cat has received thousands of hits on Youtube for turning on the paper shredder--Letterman would love that, I think. 

5. Make top ten lists: So many times the people in our lives don't know us, like when it comes time for our birthday and we get carrot cake instead of quadruple chocolate. You can make a top ten list about anything: stuff you like, stuff you don't like, personal goals, personal anti-goals, etc. When you've written one, you can share it with others--do it daily, like Letterman!

4. Have a good feud: Letterman was known for having Feuds with others, like Cher or Oprah. But there's something ironic about that--like iron sharpening iron: the feuds fed their celebrity statuses, almost like Coke and Pepsi, or McDonalds and Burger King. A good feud is more about tension than about mean spiritedness; more about competition than about vanquishment. Letterman and Oprah ended up reconciling and attending one another's shows--pretty cool.

3. You can have a home office in Lincoln Nebraska: Letterman's top 10 lists were, apparently, from his "home office in Lincoln Nebraska," which everyone knew was a joke--yet it tells us something important: In our highly connected cyber-world, you can have a home office in Lincoln Nebraska and broadcast to the rest of the world. Do you have a great idea, but insecure about being in a small town? Who cares? You've got to try it. Don't let small town stuff get in the way of big-city ambitions.

2. Lose the pretension: Letterman, before going to CBS and dawning business suits, was known for his khaki pants below his suit jacket, shirt, and tie--he was unpretentious and people dug it. The problem with fashion these days is it's all the same. We are born unique and die in the same old three-piece suit as everyone else. Letterman's khaki pants were his staple, his difference that made a difference.

1. Push the envelop: There is so much being done as status quo; so many people are afraid to push the boundaries of ideas or their talents or their dreams. Letterman pushed the envelop of what a late night talk show was. He brought himself--he made a difference, and with that inspired many others to do the same. Like Steve Jobs brilliantly portrayed in the famous Apple commercial, "Here's to the crazy ones..." If you have a dream, push it to the limit. Don't give up. Don't be afraid to be different if that's what it takes to get you there. Life is too short, and you won't get this moment back. Like Letterman, and all good top 10 lists--as with life--they all come to an end.