December 5, 2021
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FS
“Don’t face complex issues head-on; first understand simple ideas deeply. Clear the clutter and expose what is really important. Be brutally honest about what you know and don’t know. Then see what’s missing, identify the gaps, and fill them in. Let go of bias, prejudice, and preconceived notions. There are degrees to understanding (it’s not just a yes-or-no proposition) and you can always heighten yours. Rock-solid understanding is the foundation for success.”
— The Elements of Effective Thinking
TKP
‘There’s a reset button at every level. Meaning you can be the best in class. And when you go to the next level you’re then at the bottom. And the difference between amateurism and professionalism is you have people looking after you and holding your hand as an amateur. Professionally, no one does. … What matters is, what you do and how you apply yourself consistently.'”
— Paul Rabil on The Knowledge Project. My favorite concept from this episode was that of a competitive compromiser. Listen and Learn ( FS | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Get a transcript )
Explore Your Curiosity
“The good news is that superstitious thought, or “magical thinking,” even as it misrepresents reality, has its advantages. It offers psychological benefits that logic and science can’t always provide: namely, a sense of control and a sense of meaning.”
(My thought: Too many people filter things out because they’re not true. A better question is: does it work? More on this idea.)
“Groups of prosocial individuals will survive and reproduce better than groups of antisocial individuals, even if antisocial individuals have the advantage over prosocial individuals within groups.”
Insight
“If you want to be successful, you must respect one rule: never lie to yourself.”
— Paulo Coelho
Coelho’s quote pairs nicely with this one by professional hockey player Jason Spezza: “A big skill, if you want to play for a long time, is just being honest in assessing how you’re playing. If you wait until the coach tells you you’re not playing good, a lot of times it’s too late.”
Tiny Thought
The best decisions have little to no immediate payoff.
The best choices compound. Most of the benefits come at the end, not the beginning.
The more patient you are, the bigger the payoff.
Et Cetera
- Dishwashers don’t work as well as they used to.
- Schedule Syncing with your boss.
- The most important voice.
P.S. Installing a lightbulb with a drone.
P.P.S. If you’re looking for some good book recommendations.