No. 689 – July 12, 2026
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Tiny Thoughts
The day you decide you’re in charge of what happens to you, there is suddenly opportunity all around you.
There are two types of talent: the natural talent you’re born with and the chosen talent you earn with your mindset, choices, and work.
Natural talent is overrated. Chosen talent is underrated.
Why are otherwise smart people trying to do too many things? The answer might surprise you. Saying no to something is hard because you immediately see what you might lose: the money, the connection, the possibility that something might come of it. So we say yes … because the cost is hidden. Every yes quietly steals time from the most important thing you’re already working on.
Insights
Economist Milton Friedman on the work required to hold an opinion:
“You cannot be sure that you are right unless you understand the arguments against your views better than your opponents do.”
Author Jim Murphy on deceiving ourselves:
“One of the biggest mistakes we make in our stories is confusing our circumstances with our thoughts about those circumstances.”
A good reminder from Charlie Munger:
“Spend each day trying to be a little wiser than you were when you woke up. Discharge your duties faithfully and well. Step by step you get ahead, but not necessarily in fast spurts. But you build discipline by preparing for fast spurts … In the end, most people get what they deserve.”
The Knowledge Project
For the next hour, the world’s top mindset coach is your coach too.
Dr. Gio Valiante is the world’s leading performance psychologist.
We discuss why most people never reach their potential, how confidence and fear shape performance, and what separates those who consistently excel from those who stay stuck.
He shares practical strategies for building better habits, overcoming self-imposed limits, staying focused under pressure, and creating the conditions for long-term success.
If you’ve ever felt capable of more, this episode will help you understand what’s holding you back and what to do about it.
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+ Members have access to transcripts and the extended version of this episode.
Thanks for reading,
— Shane Parrish
P.S. I wondered how this was made.