Life and Times - Vol. 2
Annual Notes to Self
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On Human Nature.
Never underestimate the capacity of other people to let you down. Humans are inadvertently selfish.
This isn’t evil. It’s human nature.
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On Designing Your Life.
If you don't design your own life, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan.
And guess what they have planned for you? Not much. -
On Skills.
Acquiring skills has become cheap in today's age.
The future belongs to people who can think critically, learn fast, and stack skills that machines can’t fully replicate.
Everything else will be automated or irrelevant.
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On Intelligence.
Smart doesn't come out of books. Smart is making the right decisions at the right moment, even under pressure and uncertainty.
The most important things aren’t written in books. You have to learn them by experiencing them yourself. -
On Feeling.
It is both a blessing and a curse to feel everything so very deeply.
Channel it into creation. Detach from validation.
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On Being Alone.
A wise man can always be found alone.
A weak man can always be found in a crowd.
Learn to enjoy your own company at all times.
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On Standards.
Never lower your standards for everyone. Leave the crabs in the bucket.
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On Leadership.
My job is not to be easy on people. My job is to take these great people we have and to push them and make them even better.
- Steve Jobs -
On Ego.
Every man should have some ego. Without it, you won't survive in this world.
But be wary of the fragile ego.
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On Friendships.
True friendship is standing by someone even when they’re wrong.
It’s loyalty in public and correcting in private.
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On Travel.
Travel as much as you can. You won't be able to later.
Spend your money on rich experiences. Experiences that expand your horizon and make you humble.
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On Sustainability.
Try to reduce your carbon footprint, but don't stop living.
The universe resets itself every few million years, wiping out entire species, including us. We're not going to be here for that long.
This may sound selfish, but it's how the universe operates.
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On Meaning.
There is no meaning to life. It's absurd.
Finding a "purpose" is just another distraction made by someone who wants your money. Just be yourself and do whatever the fuck you want out of your life.
Try a million things. Discard most, stick to a few that feel true to you.
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On Money.
Money will solve your money problems, but if you're not at peace with yourself, it will never fill the void.
Some people are so poor that all they have is money.
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On Comparison.
Comparison is the ultimate joy killer. There will always be someone richer than you, smarter than you, healthier than you. But they're not "you".
Being your weird self is your superpower in a society that profits from your self-doubt.
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On Self Respect.
The moment you start negotiating your self-respect, you begin paying compound interest on regret.
Know when to walk out of rooms, situations, and relationships. -
On Opportunities.
Life-changing opportunities are rare. When they appear, seize the chance with aggression.
Enter action with boldness.
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On Desires.
A healthy man wants a thousand things, a sick man only wants one.
Pick one desire and one desire only. The universe is rigged in such a way that if you want just one thing and you focus on that, you will get it. But everything else, you gotta let go.
- Naval Ravikant -
On Self Awareness.
In knowing yourself, you accept your limits.
You are simply one person among many in the world, and not naturally superior to anyone. Just a speck in the dust.
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On People.
Accept people as facts. It is not your job to change them.
Let them be happy in their own bubble.
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On Aura.
Everyone lights up the room. Some when they walk in, some when they walk out.
Try to strive for the former.
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On Immortality.
Every man has two lives, and the second starts when he realizes he has just one.
- Confucius
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On Perfection.
The mind of a perfectionist is always in pain.
Strive for excellence in everything you do, as there's always room for improvement.
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On Growth.
The price of growth is outgrowing people.
In practice, it’s nearly impossible to “grow together” as true growth requires obsession. -
On Self.
You are your own worst enemy.
Conquer your mind, and the world becomes easier.
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On Solitude.
All of man’s problems come from his inability to sit silently alone with his thoughts.
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On Human Behaviour.
History never repeats itself, but man always does. Take people at face value.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, can't put the blame on you.